The type of society we live in and the way we live our lives have led to the disappearance of smiles. In this abnormal society, abnormal behaviors have become the new normal. As a result, in this sad, bitter, and struggle-filled world, a smile has become something rare. What we often overlook is that a simple smile can actually heal many of the world’s problems. One single smile brings numerous benefits and can change how we experience life!

We live in a hectic, chaotic, and stressful way, immersed in a lifestyle that limits our ability to smile, reserving it only for special occasions. We smile when we’re happy or when there’s a specific reason. The problem is that in our daily lives, those reasons are few or nonexistent, and that’s because we tend to focus on the negative rather than being grateful for the big or small things that truly enrich our lives. This is why someone who smiles often can create a sense of contradiction in the average person. People assume that someone who smiles more than usual, without an apparent reason, is either faking it or hiding something.

One of the things that defines me is my smile. When depression and sadness flooded my heart, my smile was my way of keeping them from destroying me. But it wasn’t fake— I didn’t use it to hide my real emotions. I forced myself to smile, even when I wasn’t happy, as a way to feel better and show the world that I could keep smiling despite the sadness and struggle. It was my way of seeing the beauty in life, focusing on the positive, and finding happiness.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Can’t we smile at least once a week? Wouldn’t it be nice to smile more often and feel the emotions that go along with it, no matter what’s happening around you? Wouldn’t it be great to be happy for no reason? Wouldn’t that be normal? Yet, in this world, smiling too often can make you seem strange, insane, or even like you’re on drugs.

I remember when someone asked me: “Why are you always smiling? What kind of drugs are you on?” My answer was: “I don’t need drugs or anything else to be happy and smile. I smile because I have many reasons to, and just being alive is a good one.” Another time, someone asked: “You’re always happy and smiling. Why?” My response was: “Look around you. Look at what you have. Look at what life offers you every day. Don’t you see? Life, with all its good and bad, is beautiful, and that’s a good reason to smile.” Their reply was: “You know something? You’re absolutely right!”

“Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.” – Les Brown

I’ve discovered that the more I smile, the less I feel anger, stress, or depression. Smiling changed the way I felt and how I experienced life. But how can a simple smile do so much good? Even if it’s just for a second, a smile can bring light, hope, peace, and happiness to someone’s life, and at the same time, it brings all those things to you too. A single smile releases feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These chemicals make you feel good, relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and lift your mood. They’re better than any antidepressant— no side effects and no prescription required.

Our brain doesn’t distinguish between a fake smile and a real one, so smiling, even when you’re not in the mood, can help you feel a little better. So smile as much as you can, even if you have to fake it at first— eventually, it will become genuine, and you’ll feel happier. If it’s free, good for your body and soul, and can make your world look a little brighter, why not give it a try?

“Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

Smiling is contagious. Even if people think you’re crazy for smiling a lot, they’ll feel better around you because, just as it lifts your mood, it can also lift the mood of those around you. A smile isn’t just a random action that goes unnoticed— it’s a powerful message transcending gender, race, age, or religion. Even if people don’t seem to understand why you smile, deep down, it will always be interpreted as a sign of kindness, hope, love, compassion, and strength.

In a world full of darkness, light it up with your smile. Change your life and the lives of others, and never let anything take away your smile! As someone once said: “Smile, and the world smiles with you.”