Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Smiling is often thought of as something synonymous with – or rather, the manifestation of – happiness. In other words, we are supposed to smile when we are happy. However, such moments of joy have become increasingly rare in our fast-paced lives. Should that keep us from painting a smile on our faces? Well, of course not!
Life is difficult as-is. Waiting for opportunities to smile make it even harder. Every day is a new beginning, and what better way to mark that beginning than with a smile? You might find the notion of smiling without reason somewhat odd and perhaps even outright crazy, but every time you smile, you radiate a positive energy. This energy not only rubs off on everyone around you, but also makes you feel more positive about and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Think about it: what can be more fulfilling than flashing a smile at someone and having them smile back at you? And even if they don’t return the favor, you may rest assured that your upbeat vibes won’t go unnoticed by them. What you may send may not always come back to you, but when it does, it not only livens up somebody else’s day but also lifts your own spirits. To think that one smile – one random smile – can trigger all these positive emotions! Remember, there might be a thousand reasons for us to feel down, but there are another million reasons for us to feel cheerful. Isn’t it a wonder in itself that we lived to see another day, or that we are so fortunate to have our loved ones in our lives?
Thích Nhất Hạnh, or Thich Nhat Hanh, was a Vietnamese monk, author and teacher. The Buddhist peacekeeper was especially renowned for his heart-warming quotes. One such quote drives home the importance of smiling irrespective of the circumstances in our lives: “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”