Optimism, or positive thinking, can make a world of difference in your life. Simply by putting a smile on your face can send a signal your brain to stop thinking negatively, quit your worrying and start trying to be happy. The results of this simple movement of putting the corners of your lips up rather than down will reduce your blood pressure, change your attitude toward other people and yourself, and reduce your risks of heart attack and stroke, thereby extending your life and helping you to age gracefully.
Try that easy exercise right now - Look at your face in the mirror. Are you frowning?
Now – keep looking in the mirror and lift up the corners of your lips.
How did that make you feel? I know I’m happy now – just thinking about you smiling!
You get to choose. You can be a pessimist and think that everything that goes wrong in the world has something to do with you and that you are responsible for all the bad luck and challenges you may have to face.
Or you can choose optimism and know that, no matter what happens, this too shall pass. The sun will come up tomorrow (thanks Annie!) and something new will take the place of whatever’s going wrong right this minute. Be grateful for the things you have, focus on your strengths, do something to make you feel good (play with a child or a pet, watch a funny movie, go out and help someone else) and remember – SMILE!
See previous post – G is for Gratitude!
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