Smile Like You Mean It

Sometimes I stare at my face and try to determine where the wrinkles will come in. I started doing this a few years ago, and I realized that I was getting some above my lips (from smoking cigarettes - bad), between my eyes (from furrowing my brow unhappily at other New Yorkers on the street) and above my eyebrows (from showcasing my amazing control of eyebrow motion).

It was like I was looking at my future, but what lie ahead wasn't written in stone...just etched lightly in human flesh. I decided then and there to take a hold of my own destiny. I stopped smoking (the battle continues - it always will), I stopped frowning (unless I have a very good reason). And I made more eyebrow movements than ever before (because I liked those wrinkles). AND I began smiling more (because I would rather laugh lines than frown lines).

Smiling is the best part of this. Ok, maybe quitting smoking is the best part because I won't die as young, but smiling is pretty great, too. It's contagious. And I have really good teeth. And it turns out I'm not alone.

I met a guy at a potluck the other night, and he has launched something wonderful called The Great Smile Project. Basically it is hundreds of pictures of people, and none of them are smiling, until you roll your mouse over them - then, their face lights up and they beam at you. It's a very nice experience. Here are some of my favorite smiles:







Don't you feel better already? I do! And the best part of The Great Smile Project? They are recruiting smiles now! Word on the street is that they want to try to get one billion smiles. That is so much happiness. I can hardly wait!

My smile should be up there soon, and yours should be, too. Because, if you are reading this, then I probably like you, and I want to see how good you look when you smile. Also, if I hate you, then maybe I will hate you a little less when you are smiling.