by Paul Wilson, Yahoo Contributor Network
One smile is all it takes.
I expect that many of the folks practicing true spirituality (their own beliefs) will already be aware of this phenomenon, and will be enjoying the results on a daily basis.
In our existing world of ever increasing harshness it is getting harder to maintain a positive outlook during daily activities. Every direction you look, and everything you hear or read is filled with depressing events and news. From the moment we wake up each morning we are all bombarded with stories of devastating occurrences, both locally and global. So what small thing can we do to spread a little cheer?
If you compare the positive and negative results from a smile versus an angry word it becomes clear. As an example, say you have harsh words with the gas station clerk. Now this clerk will have a bad day, and probably act harshly and rudely to other customers. These customers will take these ill feelings off with them to wherever they are going. They may take their bad attitudes back to their family or place of work. Family members may get snapped at, or co-workers may get rudely brushed off. So now, [...]

by Brett Blumenthal, Sheer Balance
Unfortunately, there may be times that smiling can be difficult - when it might not be easy and might feel virtually impossible.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the bad things that we forget that smiling is actuallly an option.  Maybe your boss inappropriately yelled at you…maybe you had a fight with a loved one…maybe you lost a loved one…or maybe you just feel mildly depressed for the day.  Whatever the case may be, there are always times when smiling just doesn’t fit your mood.
Even though you may very well have reasons not to smile, here are a few reasons to push through…focus on the positive…and yes, smile:
1. It makes you Feel Better: Don’t write this one off.  Really.  I know it sounds ridiculously idealistic and corny, but it is true.  Next time you feel down or blue, smile.  Just smile as big as you can.  You might feel ridiculous forcing a huge grin when deep down all you want to do is sob your heart out, but if you do it, and you concentrate on it, you actually do feel better.  Believe it or not, there is research behind this.  There is a theory [...]

by Henry Tacio, Oct 11, 2010, Punto!
NEVER underestimate the power of smile. At one time, I was mad as hell when someone took the book I bought. I left it on top of my table before I left for work. When I returned home, it was gone. I really don’t have any problem with it if the person who took it just left a note that he was borrowing it. At least, with a note I can always ask the person if he is already done with the book.
But what really got my nerve this time was the fact that I had some scribbled notes on the said book, which I inserted. I was afraid that whoever took the book might just throw away the notes I had written.
I was about to give up when my niece came to my room. “I am very much sorry, uncle,” she said. I was surprised; what had she done to me, I asked myself. She took something from her bag and with a big smile, “Here’s your book which I took without your knowledge. I forgot to leave a note.”
It didn’t matter if the book was lost. What mattered most was the fact [...]

by Kristie Leong, MD, Associated Content from Yahoo!
A smile not only sends a positive message, it may also have unforseen benefits to your physical and mental health. Find out what a smile can do for you.
It seems that nothing has more power to elevate a mood than the impact of a genuine smile. Surprisingly enough, the benefits of a smile extend not only to the recipient of the warm gesture but also to the smile’s originator. Yes, the old quotation may be true. “A smile is a little curve that sets a lot of things straight.” Here are some of the many benefits of a smile:
Benefits of a smile: A healthier immune system
Various studies conducted over the years have shown that smiling and laughter can boost the functioning of the immune system. This may help to reduce your risk of developing everything from the common cold to chronic diseases such as cancer. Could there be a less expensive medicine than this?
Benefits of a smile: Helps to relieve stress
Smiling and laughter helps to promote release of a “feel good” group of hormones called endorphins. These are the same group of hormones responsible for the runners high you hear so much about. [...]

by Ryan Hall, Article Dashboard
There might be more truth than you think to the term “million-dollar smile.” Research has found evidence of a possible connection between your appearance and how much is in your paycheck.
In a study released by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, researchers found that good-looking people tend to earn 5 percent more an hour than their less attractive cohorts.
Other studies suggest that a smile is a major factor in the overall impression a person makes on the job, during a job interview and in social situations outside the workplace.
Virtually all Americans say a smile is an important social asset, according to a study conducted for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, while 74 percent say an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.
“A dentist from Philadelphia we trained had a patient who reported his income went up 27 percent the year after getting a smile makeover,” said Dr. Bill Dickerson, founder of LVI Global, where dentists come from around the world to learn the latest aesthetic techniques.
A bright, genuine smile exudes confidence, strength and a willingness to open up to others. Conversely, if you are self-conscious about your smile, it might affect [...]

from Beauty, November 21, 2008
There’s no doubt about it; people who smile are much more attractive than people who frown. Not only are they more attractive, but also people are drawn to a smiling person like bees to honey. You don’t have to be considered a beauty to be attractive to others. You just have to smile - really! Just think of all the people you know to whom others are attracted. Are they smilers or frowners?
Smiling has a very unusual effect on the body. We can actually trick ourselves into feeling lots better when we smile. This is because smiling and laughing releases painkilling endorphins that are natural painkillers, and seratonin that is necessary to our well-being. These things really do make us feel better both physically and emotionally, so as the song says; put on a happy face.
Smiling makes us appear younger. It only uses 13 muscles in the face, while frowning uses many more and makes sharp lines appear between our eyes and in our cheeks. Lines make us appear older and detract from that attractive, smooth appearance. Smiling lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system. Do you know a person who is really happy and [...]

by Samuel Babu Sekar, from the” Proceedings of the 6th Asia-Pacific…”
Proceedings of 6th Asia-Pacific ABC Conference on Management Communication on the theme “Management Communication: Trends & Strategies” Conducted by IIM, Ahamedabad, McGraw Hill
Abstract:
Good managers possess a knack to lighten-up their environment with a radiant smile. They trigger happiness wherever they go; for, their faces exude enthusiasm exhibiting their inner strength. Their smile reflects their openness and friendliness enabling them to strike a chord and create a deep relationship with their people. Ever since the leadership orientation has moved from the command-and-control pattern to the communicate-and-cooperate pattern, smile has become an essential trait to connect with the people at an emotional level. Managers with perennial smile are likeable to work with; for, they inspire those around with their vibrant, positive mood encased in their smile. Especially, ordinary employees who are insignificant in the organisation feel much recognised and accepted when they encounter a boss who has a friendly smile. Smile has not only the power to brighten up their day, but is as good a motivator as empowerment, praise and recognition.
Moreover, research shows that people who smile are perceived to be more pleasant, sincere, sociable, competent, honest, highly esteemed and popular. [...]

Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness.

1. Smiling makes us attractive.
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away — but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling helps the immune system to [...]

Seeing a smile can give more pleasure than sex or eating chocolate, according to new research. Receiving a smile from a friend or relative generates much higher levels of stimulation to the brain and the heart than being given money or having a cigarette, according to clinical tests.
But the amount of pleasure depends on who is smiling: a child’s face or that of a celebrity has a much better effect than a politician or a member of the Royal family. The study found that smiles from Geri Halliwell and Robbie Williams created much greater stimulation and pleasure than those by Tony Blair or Prince William.
The research, carried out by the computer giant Hewlett Packard, suggests simple human interaction is still worth far more than material pleasure. The research found that Scots were among the most likely in Britain to return a smile from a stranger.

There may be more to the song “Put on a Happy Face” than just a catchy tune-putting on a happy face is actually good for you, and those around you. Now there’s a reason to smile.
Smile Your Way to a Better Future
Researchers of a study led by Dr. Dacher Keltner of the University of California were able to predict the future success (30 years down the road!) of 21-year-old women just by looking at their photographs. The key appeared to be the intensity of the women’s smiles.
“Women who displayed more positive emotion were more likely to be married by 27, less likely to have remained single into middle adulthood and more likely to have satisfying marriages 30 years later. This means we can take photos at a wedding and from them we may be able to tell how the marriage will go,” said Dr. Keltner.
How intense a woman smiled was related to personality tests and psychologists ranked the women by how they expressed emotions like joy and happiness. How did they know the smiles weren’t being faked? They used computer technology to measure 44 aspects of facial activity. If a smile were not genuine, certain muscles would not move (for [...]