{"id":3765,"date":"2016-12-11T09:00:10","date_gmt":"2016-12-11T15:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3765"},"modified":"2016-12-03T00:07:47","modified_gmt":"2016-12-03T06:07:47","slug":"choose-to-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3765","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Smile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another Year of Choices<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Smile<\/p>\n

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After doing a little Christmas shopping at Costco, I smiled at a middle-aged woman who was going in as I was heading for the parking lot. (Actually, I don\u2019t know how old she was because now that I\u2019m over 65 I view the people\u2019s ages in a different light. Let\u2019s just say she wasn\u2019t young.) Anyway, the lady looked at me and said, \u201cAre they any nicer in there than they are out here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hmmmm, I thought. \u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d I said, \u201cbut I hope I am!\u201d<\/p>\n

December is a hectic time of year. Christmas preparations can weigh us down and give us the gloomies. Parties, decorating the house, business mailings, working extra hours, long lines, traffic jams, and family time can take its toll on our nerves and tempers. And then there\u2019s trying to find the right gift for each person on your list. Gift giving can be expensive. However, I think I know a present you can give to everyone you see at this time of year and it doesn\u2019t cost a thing. SMILE!<\/p>\n

Smiles are the perfect gift for all genders, all cultures, all languages, all races, and all ages. They can be given to friends, relatives, business associates, and strangers. One size fits all, and they are guaranteed to make a person look younger and attractive.<\/p>\n

A smile is the gift that keeps on giving. It benefits the giver and the recipient. Research shows that smiles can change moods, relieve stress, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, plus release endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin in the body.<\/p>\n

\"When<\/p>\n

Smiles are contagious \u2013 in a good way. Daniel Goleman, PhD and author of Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships <\/em>explains a key to understanding this is called mirror neurons. We all have mirror neurons. Goleman says their only job is to \u201crecognize a smile and make you smile in return.\u201d Of course the same goes for a frown. So you choose. Would you rather have people frowning at you or smiling? Did you know even faking a smile can lead to feeling happier?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Glory<\/p>\n

We can even learn something from babies. A newborn shows preference for a smiling face over a non-smiling face, and babies give special smiles of joy and happiness for their loved ones. Speaking of babies, what about the one this season represents? Jesus came so people would have something to smile about. Before He came, there was no hope. There was great celebration when Jesus was born. \u201cAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, \u2018Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.\u2019\u201d (Luke 2:8-14)<\/p>\n

Christmas is about celebrating! It\u2019s all about smiles. You can decorate, party, shop, sing carols, and even spend time with your family, but if you aren\u2019t smiling, you aren\u2019t really celebrating.<\/p>\n

Smile! You can do it. It won\u2019t hurt much! It takes no extra time or money. It\u2019s a gift that keeps on giving and comes back to you. I can\u2019t help but think that when we smile at others, Jesus smiles at us.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n