The power of the smile
In times of difficulty, when the weight of the world seems to bear down upon us, it can be challenging to find reasons to smile. However, it is precisely in these moments that a smile can serve as a beacon of hope and resilience. At COPE Scotland, we believe in the power of kindness, toward ourselves, each other, and the planet. This belief is not just our guiding principle; it is our source of strength to keep going against the odds and to hope that change and change for the better is possible.
A smile, though simple, can be an expression of kindness. It is a universal language that we all recognise that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, offering comfort and connection. When we smile, we not only lift our own spirits but also those around us, creating ripples of positivity that can inspire change and foster a sense of community. We only need to think about when the weather is good and how people seem to smile at each other more.
In a world that often feels overwhelmed by suffering, it’s easy to believe that smiling is somehow inappropriate. Yet, smiling is not an act of ignoring the world’s problems; rather, it is an act of acknowledging our shared humanity and our capacity for joy, even in the face of adversity. When things are challenging, we can experience many negative emotions which can cause stress and have an impact on our wellbeing, the simple act of smiling can help counteract that to give us the boost we need to get through these challenging times. We may not be happy when we smile, but when we smile, we can actually find we become happier!
Embracing small moments of joy can help fuel our energy levels when life can leave them feeling depleted, often at a time when we need more energy! Kindness and compassion can make a difference in how we treat ourselves and how we are with others. Together, we can create a brighter future, even if that is only one smile at a time. There are ideas on our website to help regain your smile, please feel free to visit and share.
This link takes you to a video on laughter yoga https://www.copescotland.com/resources/laugher-yoga
This offers ideas to find Joy in the everyday https://www.copescotland.com/resources/ideas-for-bringing-more-joy-into-every-day
This on developing an optimistic attitude https://www.copescotland.com/resources/tips-for-optimism
and this on developing a cheerier attitude. As ever these are tips for selfcare and not a replacement for professional advice https://www.copescotland.com/resources/tips-to-be-cheerier
We know things are challenging for many people in many different ways just now, however, we only have so much energy and it matters how we use it, moving those muscles to make a smile, may not have all the answers, but it may just help us feel a wee bit better and sometimes that can make all the difference.
Thanks for reading.
Hilda 🙂