I was sitting at the checkout at a popular supermarket I don’t want to mention… Mega Image <\/p>\n\n
In front of me, a gentleman with a warlike attitude, his eyes sharp and the corners of his mouth drawn as if from a factory to his displeasure, was questioning the cashier in an authoritative tone about some items on the receipt, as if he were at a hearing. The cashier, a woman with smiling eyes, but temporarily shadowed by the warrior’s demeanor, calmly explained, though the other customers were already energetically transferring irritation through their backs. <\/p>\n\n
It may seem like a trivial episode, but it has stuck with me somewhere. Not because it was unique, but because it was unfortunately all too common. I was immediately reminded of what I see more and more often on the street: people with tired faces, lost eyes, as if they had been through too much of life without really feeling it. Chronic sadness, simmering frustration, anxiety – packed daily into quick gestures, impulsive reactions and stern faces. <\/p>\n\n
I had noticed them a long time ago, but this scene rekindled a thought in my mind: smiling<\/strong>. Or rather, the lack of it. <\/p>\n\n When was the last time you smiled for no reason?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n When have you given someone a smile without expecting anything in return?<\/p>\n\n When have you allowed it to light up your face just because you exist, because you breathe, because it’s sunny or even because it’s raining?<\/p>\n\n Then I remembered the booklet I wrote a few months ago: “A Day Without Complaining<\/em>“. A simple and, paradoxically, not at all easy exercise. Not complaining for a whole day. Not saying anything negative about the traffic, the weather, the people, what’s wrong. It’s like a detox for mind and language. <\/p>\n\n But what’s that got to do with smiling?<\/p>\n\n Well, I’ve discovered that smiling is the tool that breaks the vicious cycle of crying.<\/strong> When you smile, even forced at first, the brain gets a signal that maybe, just maybe, it’s a good feeling. It activates neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. A small opening occurs. An inner space where there’s no room for judgment, irritation or apathy. Smiling changes your countenance and, therefore, your outlook. <\/p>\n\n We don’t always have to pretend to be happy. But if we stop for a moment to observe those around us, we will realize that many treat happiness as a superficial emotion that seems to have no place in their lives. <\/p>\n\n In reality, smiling is an act of subtle resistance in a world far too serious and serious. It is a sign that, despite everything, we are alive, we are connected, we are present.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n (Speaking of attendance – it’s a complex topic I’d like to explore in another article.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n So my invitation to you today is simple: smile<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n Not because you have a reason. Because you can. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n Because you choose. Because every smile is a dialog – both with the outside world, but, just as importantly, also an inner dialog, good for your body, the best and most faithful friend you could ever have. <\/p>\n\n Smile at a cashier. Smile at a child who looks at you with wide eyes. Smile in the mirror, even if today you feel there’s nothing to smile at. Do it anyway. It’s a small gesture, but it can trigger invisible chains of transformation. <\/p>\n\n Because beyond everything we do, build, plan or repair… maybe all that’s really asked of us is to remember to be. And to smile. <\/p>\n\n Today. Here. Now! <\/p>\n\n A day with many smiles!<\/p>\n\n Claudiu<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I was sitting at the checkout at a popular supermarket I don’t want to mention… Mega Image In front of me, a gentleman with a warlike attitude, his eyes sharp and the corners of his mouth drawn as if from a factory to his displeasure, was questioning the cashier in an authoritative tone about some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[121,141,139,140,143],"class_list":["post-5284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-improvement","tag-attendance","tag-complaints","tag-detox","tag-mind","tag-present-2"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n