The Sanford Berenberg Experience: Smiling to help others and ourselves

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Smiling to help others and ourselves

Good Morning,

We all know a smile is powerful. It is contagious and it can have some amazing side effects.

Last week, in support for The Crusade for Children, I joined our local fire department at their annual roadblock (collecting money from cars coming through the intersection). The fire house is the charter organization for my Boy Scout Troop. Each year, we look forward to making a growing effort to support the fire fighters and the Crusade for Children.

So here I am, standing in the intersection, most folks holding their pails and looking at oncoming traffic, waiting for the light to turn red to start walking up the line. And then comes this loon, (that would be me) who starts waving to every car that comes by and gives each driver a big smile.

Many smile back while waiting for the light to turn green and some well, they keep their faces planted on their phones or other devices, or try to avoid eye contact.

What I find is that when I wave and smile that more people start pulling out their change or cash and offer it to the Crusade.

The smile makes a connection, it makes it okay to interact with someone that they do not know.

My scouts who are at the side of the road watching me cringe as they see me wave to anyone and everyone, even them. They have not gotten passed that awkward shyness of youth, secretly, they are happy that someone cares enough to connect with them.

Smiles can do many good things. Smiles bring a quick joy to those who smile. It is has been shown in studies that our facial expressions actually drive our feelings in addition to, or even instead of our feelings driving our facial expressions. To read more click here.

So, if you are looking to help others, smile. If you are feeling down, smile.

And if you have nothing better to do, just smile.