From The Why About This Archives, one of my all time favorite posts. I decided to share it again with you. I hope you enjoy and start collecting smiles yourself. Such a feel good thing to do:

Emma’s Perfect “Mona Lisa” Smile!
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“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
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I collected 47 smiles today. It wasn’t my intention. Smiles weren’t even on my mind. I wonder why that is? Of all the things we can do and give freely, a smile must take center stage – don’t you think? A smile always brightens the day.
It all started while I was sitting on a park bench this afternoon viewing the river; actually I had been looking up at clouds. They were particularly lovely today. A young girl maybe 6 years old was passing me on a nearby pathway, along with other people.
As it was such a beautiful day, there were many there enjoying the park. This little girl ran almost all the way by me when she turned her head and flashed me a radiant smile. “Hi” she said. Just the one word hi, with a smile. A big, sincere and radiant smile. “Well hi,” I replied, smiling back. My smile every bit as large as hers.
And then it started. The smile collecting. I noticed an elderly couple playing with their grandchildren, all with big smiles when they looked over at me. I smiled back.
A man came by walking his large black Labrador. I told him he had a lovely dog. He gave me a huge smile in return. I didn’t get a smile from the Lab but I did get a very friendly tail wag. And so it went.
Later on in the day while at the store waiting in line to check out I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face. My memory from the park had stayed with me. The line was long but I found myself smiling at the other people in a friendly “we’re all waiting here” kind of way and guess what? They all smiled back. One of them, an older gentleman, looked a little confused about why, but he smiled too!
And so it went throughout the remainder of the day. I kept collecting smiles. It was great. This evening as I sat reflecting, I decided today had not been much different than most days but somehow it just seemed friendlier, nicer, warmer. I found myself smiling from the day’s memories and collected another smile.
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Have a great weekend, ideally one filled with smiles, yours and those you interact with … an excellent thing to do, I think!
All my love,
~ Penny
Beautiful post celebrating the beauty and happiness in a ‘Smile”. And Thich Nhat’s quote is so true. Thanks and regards.
Hi and thank you so very much, Dilipnaidu. May your smiles be many this week!♡
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The Thich Nhat Hanh quote at the start of this post is one of my very favorites 🙂 Thank you for sharing on this topic!
Hello! I Thank you kindly. One of mine also! 🙂
Giving out smiles is one of my favourite hobbies too but I have never collected the ones that I get in return. That was some tally that you collected, wonderful and the more I read the more I smiled tool I’m sure you can at least double that number when you count the smiles of your readers. 😊
Hi Sally. What loving and kind words you write. Each one a verbal smile to me dear friend. May your week ahead bring you much joy and happiness. :)♡
How wonderful, make that 48, and have mine too! 🙂 ♥
I count your smiles as a whole heartful of love, Ute. (It’s how I see you, dear friend!) :)♡
Please do, that is how it is Penny! ♥ big squeezy hug
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Bon week-end Penny ! 🙂
Hi Gys! Thank you dear friend. May your week ahead be a creative and happy one for you! 🙂
Oh, yes, and just like the first time I read it, my instant reaction was a bundle of smiles aimed at you!!!! Here they are: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 accompanied by hugs and lots of those too: xxxxxxxxxxx / with love.
Happy Sunday, my dear Penny! 🙂
Hello dearest one! Have I mentioned lately that I adore talented, caring and loving you! Yes I do. Thank you for your many smiles and hugs. Always with so much love to you, Marine! Have an excellent week my friend! 🙂 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 🙂
Likewise, sweet Penny – likewise!!!!!!!! some more hugs and smiles coming your way! 🙂 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 🙂 🙂
a wonderful collection, Penny!
a couple years ago I shared my collection, “hundreds of smiles.”
i’m in the process of making a sequel, “hundreds more smiles.”
Thank you so much, wishing you well in your sequel! 🙂
I love this post. Miles of smiles are miles better 🙂 🙂 🙂
☺😁😄
I can see why you liked this post. Most of the time I find I collect a smile if I give one.
Hi, Lulu. Thank you. I do agree. 😊
I like your “collecting smiles” idea. I do smile a lot, and never thought to collect them. Reading your post gave me another smile. Thanks. 🙂
Thank you, kindly. It really was an awesome day. 🌞