I’ve kept no secrets that the last couple of years have had their share of difficulty, of dark times. Some of this caught people by surprise and for those closer to me, the times have been at the least more intense. As if that’s even possible. The pics I put with these posts are placeholders, vehicles for the content, delivering my ideas like a baked potato, dry and flavorless plain, an oil tanker of butter and bacon when done right.

What I’ve noticed over the last two years especially is a lack of a smile in most of them. Of course some are deadpanned for effect and humor, but the ones with a smile are jarring in the rarity. Like it’s a different person.

I’m not content with much of anything and that combined with depression makes me bleak at best. At the same time I think I’m fun and funny and quick to make a joke or lighten the mood. I say it a lot but dichotomy is a walking 48 year old thing. I show this with pursed lips and a constant look of dissatisfaction. Charming, I know.

I was looking through pics today and found a couple with a smile and it made me consider all of this and the power of a smile. It’s a game changer, a mood changer, a day brightener.

There’s a cliche out there about it taking a gazillion face muscles to frown while it takes somewhat less than a gazillion to smile.

So today I’m going to smile a little. Maybe not all day long, I mean Jesus Christ people, baby steps. But a smile here and there,nonetheless.

A smile will break a mood, even for a moment.

A smile from a stranger can make a day.

A smile tells people you care.

A smile helps bring you back to something lighter. Even for just a moment.

#hugsandhi5s