Never did I ever think I would have something in common with Buddy the Elf, but by golly I most certainly do! I love to smile! It is my favorite, too!!! And I've been told I have an incredible smile, to boot!!
Part of having a more positive attitude means smiling a lot more! There was a time in my life when truly and honestly smiling was the last thing I would have ever thought I could do. I remember when I got hired to work as a Therapeutic Recreational Counselor at KidsPeace. I went through two weeks of new employee training which was some of the most intensive training I had ever gone through. It was my first REAL job and I felt like a big shot having to go through a new employee training. I was unsure of what I was really getting myself into, what kind of kids I would be dealing with. I remember one of the trainers telling us to never let our guards down. Never let 'them' (meaning the kids) see you smile. I was told to be the bitch in all situations and sadly I believed in all of it. I entered the residential unit I was assigned to for the summer and I started to mingle among the girls living there. I kept a stone face. No expression. No friendly attitudes. I was all business. Don't tread on me. I was trying to establish my dominance and then......one of the girls looked at me and said, "Why don't you smile? If you don't want to be here, why choose to work here?" I never forgot it. And I never took that "I am staff you will respect me" attitude again. I learned a lot that summer about just how much a smile can mean to someone.
Unfortunately, too many years of my life, I lived under a dark cloud, unable (or perhaps unwilling) to smile a true and honest smile. It wasn't until I started on my thankful journey that my smile came back into my world! My aunts have always said that I have such a great smile. I guess when I start my day with the ultimate gratitude for the life that is unfolding before me each and every day, I can't help but smile, it is my favorite! It is hard to be grumpy and bitchy with a smile on your face! I like to think it is my best feature and I want to wear it, display it, never let it fade!!! It truly reminds me of the Girl Scouts song we used to sing at camp: I've got something in my pocket, it belongs across my face. I keep it very close and handy in a most peculiar place. I bet you couldn't guess it, if you guessed a long long time. So I'll get it out and put it on, it's a great big Girl Scouts SMILE!
Today, I am super thankful that I share a love of smiling with Buddy the elf.....because a smile goes a long way in making someone's day! It can be the gift that keeps on giving!!! Try it! Pass a smile on to someone today!!!
Think Thankfully!!!
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