Have you ever just smiled for no apparent reason? Not a fake smile, a full out smile? I've found that even in situations I don't want to be in, if I smile really big, a genuine smile, the situation is more tolerable and I'm put in a better mood.

I have to answer the phone for TakeOut orders at my jobs and when I do, I put on a smile before I pick up the phone. Even though the customer on the other end of the phone can't see my smile (obviously), they sure can hear it! My smile just before picking up the phone goes a long way.

Before walking into an interview, I put on a smile. A smile makes me feel confident, in control and empowered. As if going in the room with a smile on my face is a kind of armor. I'm not hiding anything. I'm merely showing confidence in myself. I'm becoming approachable. My smile goes a long way.

I watched a YouTube video about body language. A study was done where Princeton students had to pick from two pictures the person who looked the most competent. They had only a few seconds to do so. It turned out the people they chose the most had a smile on their face. Those people were also the people elected into office. Their smile went a long way. (I'll post link to the video below)

The face we make makes a difference. Our facial expressions matter even when it comes to something as simple as changing our mood. Expressions help us communicate with each other as well as with ourself. Our face will help communicate with our brain what our mood is. Even if smiling doesn't feel right at the moment, you do it. Smiling can change your mood. Just try it. Make sure it's genuine.

There's an old song called "You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile." It makes more sense to me now than it did before. I can't say I'm one to walk around with a smile on my face, but I'm going to try.

So let me see those pearly whites! Smile because I promise a smile will go a long way.