Since 1999, the first Friday in October has been designated as “World Smile Day.”  It was promoted by a man named Harvey Ball – the creator of the original yellow smiley face in 1963.  Harvey did not push the day to further commercialize his smiley faces, but rather to remind people of the importance of a real and genuine smile.

This world needs more smiles.  For that matter, the people in your world need more smiles!  In fact, I would be glad to be on the receiving end of a few more smiles myself.

It seems that smiles are becoming a bit rarer these days.  Of course, there’s so many troubling “situations” in our society and our world.  Not to mention day-to-day distractions, personal stress, anxiety, frustration, and general weariness.

Consequently, we probably don’t feel like smiling as often as we might.  But as someone once said, “You haven’t lost your smile at all.  It’s right under your nose.  You just forgot it was there!”

Putting on a smile is perhaps the most important thing we don in the morning, and the most important thing we wear.  Yet, it’s often the accoutrement that doesn’t make our attire for the day.  Or at least not as often as it could or should.  To which Jim Beggs states, “Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.” 

Did you that studies have shown that smiling is actually beneficial to one’s health?  Smiles reduce blood pressure and heart rate, ease stress and promote happiness.  Some studies seem to suggest that frequent smiles actually foster longer lives; those who smile more often tend to have more positive views, which tends to lead to longer life-spans.  Astonishingly, people wearing smiles appear younger and thinner!

Even if you can only muster a partial smile … smile anyway!  Even a half-hearted smile brings some of the benefits.  And it might just lead to a full-fledged, whole-hearted, all-encompassing one. 

All of which provides strong inducement to smile frequently.  The personal benefits seem great. 

But those on the receiving end of our smiles also benefit!  When we smile, they are more likely to smile.  When they do, they glean the good bonuses too.  But so much more as well.

A simple and sincere smile costs a person nothing to give, but pours a wealth of treasure into another person’s day.  The person who provides it is none-the-poorer, while the person who receives that gift is certainly richer.

And think of all the family members around you; those ones we so easily and often take for granted.  (You know, those most important people in your world!)  That smile you grace them with in the moment will almost certainly contribute to a brighter, better day for them.  A smile is the key that fits the lock on everyone’s heart.

To this end, here are some key concepts for us to bear in mind as we work our way through our days – even our difficult days; things that will help us smile more readily.

The first key is that we focus on our blessings and not our hardships.  We may have many difficulties, but we have even more blessings from our God.  No matter what struggles we are enduring, Jesus is still risen, we are still forgiven, we are still loved by God, we are still saved by God’s grace, and we are still headed to heaven.

Key number two is that we realize we have a gift we can give.  A simple loving smile is simply precious to whomever it is aimed at.

The third key is to recognize that maybe, just maybe, our smile and our kindness might be a silent testimony to other Christians who are down and don’t really feel like smiling.  They realize we are still rejoicing in our Lord, no matter the circumstances.  Smiling is contagious; maybe our smile will spark a smile on their face.

In addition, our smile might possibly be something that moves an unbeliever to find out what makes us tick.  Why can we smile when so much of life seems to stink?  Perhaps it opens the door to an opportunity to testify about the Savior?

Finally, smiles show love.  Jesus said, “Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

The Lord underscores this concept in the book of Ephesians: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger … Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-22).

Simply showing and sharing a smile is generally a simple thing to do, but it’s not simple to the one who sees it; that smile is significant!  So smile, and brighten someone’s day.  And probably, in the process, your day too!

If you missed celebrating World Smile Day this year with an extra smile or two, please don’t feel obligated to wait until next October.  Display a few extra smiles today.  (And every day!)