I've been doing a lot of reading, (I do that) and in my reading I've rediscovered a truth that's embarrassingly obvious.  It is that smiling is important.  Smiling can change strangers into friends, and give people a reason to open up to you.  Babies smile, and people respond, children smile, and people smile back.  Dogs and cat's show joy, and people keep them around, and even clean up after them!

I had forgotten that once upon a time I had gone to a job interview, and though they had someone with more particular experience, they picked me because I was smiling.

Maybe it's time to find that smile.  To that end, I thought I'd make a short list of reasons to smile… not regular reasons to smile, like some people might be tempted to list their blessings, or pets or something that makes them happier when they are already happy, what I'm suggesting is a list that works to make you smile like a lunatic even when you're having a BAD day :  (I may need your help, what are your reasons you smile?)

• Love (Family or Romantic)
• Humor
• Buffalo Wings
• Clever mental acrobatics
• Chocolate
• Potential (the limitless future can usually get a smile out of me no matter what!)
• Music
• Church stuff

What about you?  Please let me know what makes you smile when you don't feel like smiling.

One trick that I have when I'm just not in a smiling mood, and I have to meet someone with a smile, I think of how they'd react if I told them (or someone 'good') a totally inappropriate joke.  Then I find the smile within me.  (Do you have a trick?)