World Smile Day

Smile!

Debbie Catt and Chris Davidson and I are all speakers. We had our monthly, mastermind meeting yesterday. We stopped for lunch and switched on the radio. Just at that precise moment, Jeremy Vine was interviewing someone we knew – Merryn Myatt (merryn@myattmedia.com) And she was talking about a subject very close to our hearts – public speaking. Merryn has many years of experience as a newsreader on TV, so Jeremy had sought input from a media expert. Merryn gave tips and advice on how to present well. It was refreshing to hear someone speak in an informed and confident manner about our profession. We listened intently, nodding and agreeing with our friend. When the interview concluded we smiled to each other thinking, well done Merryn!

What will make you smile today? And did you know that it is World Smile Day? Yes, this year, on October 5, 2007 we celebrate World Smile Day®. As ever the theme for the day is, "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile." And, as ever, the image that leads the way on this day is the smiley face. It may interest you to the origins of the Smiley Face. It was created in 1963 by Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet. He thought that all of us, should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout that world. The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion. Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we. He declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day®. So what can you do today to help someone?

There are so many tiny acts of kindness, which in themselves appear to amount to nought, however the cumulative result can be outstanding. Today, I am going to start by taking in my neighbour's wheelie bin, call my sister to offer her help with a technical problem, take my daughter breakfast in bed, sort our the donations for the charity shop and then my email clients to wish them happy smiley day...and that's all before breakfast!

What about you? List all the kind acts you do today... all the little things that no-one but you will ever know about about or comment on. It'll make you feel fantastic I assure you.

Smiling is infectious so make it a habit. It is impossible to be cross and stay angry, when you smile. So go ahead. What have you got to lose? Remember what it says on Cool Beans.... a smile is a great (not to mention inexpensive!) way to improve your looks and smiling creates less wrinkles than frowning....so smiling has to be the better option.

Go Grin! (See blog entry September 20th for more 'hello gorgeous' smiley ideas....)