CONTAGIOUS SMILES BY ZOE HAHN

Think about the last time you really smiled. By this, I mean when was the last time that you had a Duchenne smile, the kind of smile that is so big that it reaches your eyes, the most authentic expression of happiness? Was it a few minutes ago, several hours ago, or has it been more than a day?

Instead of reflecting on your days and thinking about why you didn’t smile, start thinking about your contagious smiles. Recount the times you smiled so big that others started smiling too, or the times that others smiled so big that you joined in. As we get older, we tend to smile less and less which means that people’s daily happiness is decreasing more as time goes on.

Something that never fails to paint a Duchenne smile on my face is traveling. Being able to travel to different places, both domestically and internationally, has shaped my entire perception, opening my mind and heart to the world. Because my creativity stems from personal happiness and positivity, I know that when I smile, my creativity is radiated to the fullest.

Smiling. One word, yet drives reactions that impacts each of our days so much more than we realize.Life should be filled with smiling. To unleash creativity, you need to discover what makes you smile and why.