The Cost of A Smile

I have 5 Core Values that I check in with regularly when evaluating my motivation for action and behavior. Two that stand out on my list are "authenticity" and "peace." I find that when I am grumpy and sour I am not honoring either of these two values. My authentic self is not grumpy nor sour, and I certainly am not creating peace within myself, or outside of myself, with these attributes either. It's not about judging myself, and I don't have expectations that I will never be grumpy or sour, but so often I find that I am this way because of someone else's mood. How many times has a foul driver or cranky cashier changed your mood? For me and my past, too many times to count. Now I make it a point to be the dominant emotion by smiling during any exchange; from the exchanges with other moms at drop-off to the waiter serving me lunch. It's amazing how many people transform when I insist that this is the energy that will be near me at any given moment. And the price of a smile is abundance -- given and received.

Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Success will look like days filled with positive energy in every action that I take. Success is people remembering the person who smiled instead of grumbled at-- the long line, the senior citizen with questions or the whiny 3rd grader. I envision days ending with me and those I connected with remembering more positive moments than negative ones. I will live a life where two of my core values are honored daily.