Welcome to our second “Jolt of Joy” newsletter! Last week, Bubblz engaged you in a few activities to help cheer up and encourage others. We hope that you brightened up someone’s day. This week, we have another joy-full activity for you to do with us. Can you guess what it is from the photo shown above? Ta-da, it’s SMILING!! Let’s smile with Bubblz!
Bubblz is always smiling and is on a mission to spread smiles everywhere. We believe that smiling is one of the best ways to encourage someone else! Before I tell you why, I wanted to share more about the “smile” mantra that I drew in the sand a few years ago in Cape Cod. I went every summer with my family to the Cape since I was a young girl. I have so many wonderful memories of swimming in the ocean, collecting sea glass on the beach, digging for quahogs, chasing fireflies, and making sandcastles and mantras.
“Smile” Sand Mantra with Bubblz!
As I was drawing the sand mantra shown above, I just couldn’t help but smile! It was so much fun to search for a piece of driftwood to draw with and choose perfectly shaped rocks to use for the eyes and nose of the smiley face. After I had finished my sand mantra, a few beachcombers walked by, and as I smiled at them, they smiled back at me. They even stopped to tell me that both my smile and drawing “made their day.” No surprise that Bubblz made an appearance too!
When we smile, it makes those around us feel good, happy, and loved. It’s difficult to frown when someone is smiling at you. When you smile at someone else, it not only makes that person smile, but also may help lift their spirits. Yes, smiling is contagious! It reminds me of the words sung by Louis Armstrong:
“When you’re smiling, when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.”
Even when you find yourself having to force it, smiling does wonders for your soul. When you start your day with a smile, it’s hard to be sad, angry, or stressed. Just smiling can boost your potential for joy and laughter. It can change the outlook of your day and someone else’s too.
The Power of a Smile!
Research has shown that smiling is associated with increased levels of endorphins and serotonin, also known as your “feel-good” hormones and decreased levels of stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline. In a TED Talk by Ron Gutman, he discusses the hidden power of smiles. He cites a British study that revealed that one single smile can provide the same level of brain stimulation as 2,000 chocolate bars. Wow, I love dark chocolate, but I’m not sure I could eat that many chocolate bars! Did you know that children spend up to 400 times a day smiling, while adults only average 20?
Most of my friends would say that I am a happy, ‘smiley’ person in addition to being bubbly and cheerful! I have been told this so many times throughout my life. Hanging in my office is a quote with words that convey how I try to live every day:
“Be the reason someone smiles today.”
Here’s your joy-full activity for this week
Be like Bubblz and start your day with a smile. Try and make a conscious effort to smile more at others you come across in everyday life. I know this may be more difficult given that we are all wearing masks during the pandemic. However, even when your mouth is covered, your smile still shines from within and through your eyes. So, don’t forget to make eye contact and show others your twinkle! You can also smile around the house with your family, on your video calls, and when you are socially distancing.
Let’s start a chain reaction of smiles! You never know when your warmhearted, genuine smile might just brighten someone’s day. We would love to hear how many smiles you shared this week.
Please leave your comments and joy-full responses below.
Note: Here’s the link to the TED Talk by Ron Gutman
This post made me smile, especially seeing Bubblz in the photo! One day pre mask wearing time, I was pulling up to a stop sign. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a woman jogging toward the intersection so I stopped a little further back. As she jogged past, she gave me the most beautiful smile. I called out the window to her that she had a beautiful smile. She responded that she tries to smile a lot because the world needs it. It was such a lovely encounter. Bubblz was definitely present:-)
I smiled and giggled when I saw Bubblz twice in your photo! Love it! Smiling really comes through these face masks, I agree.
OHH Joanne you are the best! It was fun reading about your childhood Beach experiences and how this has shaped you thru your whole life! Thank you for sharing! Let’s Swim!