Welcome to today's meditation,
One that I guarantee will make you smile.
Let me start with the beautiful words of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
But sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
When you smile,
Neuropeptides and neurotransmitters like dopamine,
Serotonin and endorphins are released into your body.
Dopamine plays a part in how we feel pleasure.
Serotonin is often described as our natural antidepressant.
And endorphins help us deal with stress and pain.
All that for very little cost.
All you have to do is turn up the corners of your mouth.
So let's do that.
Let's get comfortable,
Close over your eyes and relax.
Whether it is early morning and you are starting your day or you are taking a break from your day to find your smile,
Welcome to your sacred space.
Life can sometimes lead you to lose your smile.
Life can be serious.
It can be full of challenges and problems.
And often joy and smiles seem like they don't belong in your life.
They are only for the holidays or they are only for other people.
But you know that that's not true.
You know that your smile lies inside and you know that you are going to start to bring it out more often.
So let's begin to practice smiling.
So smile,
Turn up the corners of your mouth and feel that smile radiate all over your face.
Feel your smile in your cheeks,
In your forehead,
In your eyes.
They often say a person's real smile is in their eyes.
I want to share some lines from an Irish song.
When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure tis like the morning spring,
In the lilt of Irish laughter,
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay,
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure they steal your heart away.
For your smile is a part of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the Lynnet's sweet song,
Crooning all day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
While this song speaks of Irish eyes,
It is true for any eyes.
When any eyes are smiling,
It connects to your laughter and your light.
Your smile is a part of the love in your heart,
And by simply remembering to turn up the corners of your mouth,
You can feel that love.
You can feel that love and share it with others,
Just with a smile.
So if your smile has faded,
Put it back on your face and try and relax into it.
Feel your face smile,
Yet relax,
Smiling and relaxing.
Feel how that smile makes you feel.
Little by little,
You can feel the blessings of that smile,
And you can feel your heart open a little bit more.
Allow your heart to swell as your smile deepens and strengthens.
Now think of someone or something in your life that makes you smile and smile.
Feel that connection to the love in your heart.
Feel that strength of a smile.
Let's feel your smile even more.
Feel it again in your cheeks,
In your forehead,
In your head,
All smiling,
All feeling lighter,
Brighter and happier.
Let that smile move down your neck and shoulders,
Relaxing your shoulders to allow them to smile.
Feel that smile radiate down your back,
Down into your arms and hands,
Right out to your fingers.
Now let that smile go down into your torso,
Filling your heart space and your stomach with smiles.
Now your hips are smiling,
Your upper legs and lower legs and your feet,
And don't forget your smiley toes.
If your smile feels strained,
Again remember to relax your face.
You may stretch the muscles in your face.
Make a funny face.
I hope no one is watching,
But if they are,
Great,
Because you will probably make them smile.
Let all the tension go in your face with your facial contortions and then stick a smile back on your face and I hope this one feels more real.
As you step into your day,
Remember that a simple smile can lead you to not only have a great day,
But to have a great life.
And as you improve your mood,
Your well-being and your happiness,
You get to do it for others too because you know smiles are contagious.
So from my heart to your heart,
Have a beautiful smiley happy day.
