My daughters just turned eight last week. I asked each of them what makes them smile. Riley said, “getting my work done before my last 2 p.m. Zoom, my Birthday, spending time with my family and cuddling with Oreo.” Sydney said, “When I get a temporary tattoo on my belly and show it to my sister like this," as she lifted her shirt up, stuck her belly out and they both erupted in laughter.
Okay, your turn. What makes you smile?
This tiny four-word question can get you back to the basics. If you find yourself saying, “I can’t remember the last time I smiled,” sound the alarms and definitely ask yourself this question right now.
Sometimes we all get so caught up in the noise of life that we forget the music.
We focus on our responsibilities and forget our hopes. We get bogged down in challenges and miss all the good stuff. When life gets complicated, we forget the basics.
If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that we miss the basics ... getting together spontaneously, busy restaurants, hugs, family visits and smiles.
Simple stuff that makes me smile . . .
loud music I love
how I feel AFTER a sweaty run
our daughters’ giggles
when my husband makes me laugh
a Starbucks nonfat latte
seeing Facebook memories of our daughters as toddlers dressed up as superheroes
when our dog Oreo sighs
I’m a believer that one smile can change a day. Pre-pandemic, before our smiles were covered up in masks, I’d smile at every stranger who crossed my path. I don’t care if people think I’m weird. I believe a simple exchange of smiles is uplifting.
I smiled this morning when Riley told me she no longer likes the Frozen movies as much as she used to when she was little. I smiled and almost drove off the road when she asked me from the backseat if she could marry someone older than she is since “daddy is older than you mommy.” (I said, "Sure, but not right away please.")
Let’s not get so caught up in the intensity of life that we forget to do makes us smile. Tell me. What lights you up?
Sandra Bilbray is a nationally published writer, regular contributor to Live Happy, and publisher of Asheville Macaroni Kid. She lives in Asheville with her husband, twin girls and two dogs. Email Sandra at SandraB@macaronikid.com
