Last night we wrapped up my group coaching course, Six Weeks of Support for Self. And even though I’ve run this course several times now it never gets old. As I was telling the participants last night as we were finishing the final call I shared with them how each conversation, comment, and piece of content that they go through helps me learn too!
We all learn, grow, and change from each other.
One topic in particular, mentioned last night, struck me as share-worthy. A participant was relating to us how she did on her goals set in the previous week. Her aspect of well-being she was focusing on was positive attitude and a reduction in her stress levels. She told us how she chose to do something last week that was simply remarkable.
She smiled.
At every single person she passed, at any time of day (she works permanent night shifts), and no matter the mood she was in (feeling like going into work or not) she made a conscious choice: to smile.
She decided to smile to help with her goals of enjoying a positive attitude, but what she noticed was that the smiles not only impacted her but everyone around her. “People actually smiled back!” she shared with the group.
A blessing in disguise
When we choose something for ourselves it is amazing how it can ripple out and touch all of those around us. This is a perfect example of how caring for the caregiver helps those we care for. If we decide to do something that will help us feel good it’s amazingly wonderful how that choice can impact the world.
How can you exercise your facial muscles?
The next time you hear yourself say: “I don’t have time to (fill in with your healthy choice).” Think again. When you put someone else’s priorities above your own you’re actually doing them a dis-service.
It’s like a car. Running out of gas will happen if you don’t fill up the tank! How can you fill up your self-care tank today? In what ways will you exercise your self-love muscles? Could smiling at every person you see be a way to lift your mood, sending joy out to every one you greet?
It’s the holiday season…
Don’t just do things for others. Do them for yourself. When you do something for yourself you will shine. When you are your best self you allow others to be theirs right back at ya!
What will you do? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for reading!
I love this story—that simply smiling made such a dramatic improvement in her life. I had an experience that’s kind of similar—a few months ago, my girlfriend and I were on vacation, in a surf spot. We met this one guy, a surfer type, who was a little spacey. And to be honest, I kind of wrote him off. He was super-muscley, said ‘dude’ almost constantly, the whole 9. But we got to talking, and I really enjoyed talking to him. Anyway, at one point, he said, “If you want to happy, say ‘thank you’ 30 times before noon every single day.” I thought, that sounds silly, but what the hell, and then next day I gave it shot.
And, a few months later, and I do this every day. It’s such a small thing, and it’s brought me so much happiness—it kind of changed my life, really! Just that little thing—just making sure, every day, to say “thank you” for 30 things I like.
It’s amazing to think—you’re just one little thing away from a big happiness. It’s just a couple of smiles or a couple of “thank you”s away!
WOW! Thank you for this addition to this post. First off, I loved your story about the surfer dude. I can totally relate and absolutely love those kind of guys, LOL. Secondly, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I appreciate your feedback so much.
I love your suggestion (or his) about the thank-you’s. My first reaction was ‘holy moly!’ how does someone do that 30 times before noon? But I imagine you can not only say it aloud to others but to yourself for things you are grateful for, right? I will try this as well! Thanks for the idea.
Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth
I can relate to this; we have been doing a great deal of teambuilding in which the ‘smile’ is the key component. I recall, many years ago, when I called a future employer to speak to the person with whom I had a meeting. The receptionist had such a wonderful voice; he sounded so happy to be there – and you could almost ‘hear his smile.’ I knew that I wanted to be there too. A few months later, when I was a part of the organization, I learned that his evening job was in CATS, as a performer. His voice, the resonant quality, told it all – and I was sold!
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for coming by, taking the time to read and comment. It means so much to me!
I have heard that feedback before- when I do radio interviews or host my radio show people say ‘My, Elizabeth. I can hear your smile through the phone!’ It surely is a great way to receive other people. It helps them to smile back as well!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Enjoy your health today,
Elizabeth
Beautifully said 😀
Thanks, Marti! You’re the inspiration behind this post so thank you for choosing to be a beautiful woman! Elizabeth
Liz, I have a co-worker who aspires to make everyone feel important and happy. I swear he can get anyone to smile and laugh. The one thing I notice he does all the time is he is very considerate to everyone. He always says hello, asks people how they are doing, he even makes a point to run ahead to hold doors open for everyone. This simple gestures make a huge difference in the day of a person. Think of how nice it would be if everyone took a second or two out of there day to extend this generosity to another. Our entire world would turn around. As always, you are right on target. Love your work and persistence on caring for self and others. You are a role-model of positivity. Thank you for sharing. Lisa
Lisa,
Thank you for bringing this example to the blog. I love it! And I love your inspiration of the generosity overflowing and turning the world around. You too are a role model of positive light and I thank you for being in my life. Elizabeth