Evening temperatures drop, and chilly air promises autumn is approaching. My neighbors ignite their firepit, they raise a glass and toast the day. A block away, the Friday night high school football crowd roars. I light a candle to celebrate my favorite time of year.
There is something soothing and about candles. Their yummy scents fill the house, calm my mind and I smile. When you smile, the world smiles in return. A Swedish study revealed when test subjects were shown an image of a smiling person and the researcher asked them to frown, the subjects imitated the face in the photo, smiling instead of frowning. Your smile is contagious, and it changes everything.
A smile makes us more attractive, lifts our mood and the moods of other people, and it extends our life expectancy. And can we talk about the awesome party a smile gets rolling? A smile floods our brains with neuropeptides, dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. Drugs, baby. They are all-natural, 100% organic, create no negative side effects, don’t require a prescription or a dealer, and… wait for it… they are FREE.
Buddha was a smart man. By sharing a smile, you get huge benefits and you can transmit happiness to random strangers. Chance are, they will smile at the next person they meet. With any luck, your smile chain may travel around the world today.
Are you smiling yet?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 
This truly is a thought-provoking piece. I’ve spent time in the company of Buddhists over the years including one close friend, and they do smile, quite a lot!
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You know, Keith, I have never encountered a cranky Buddhists. Maybe smiling is the path? Glad it got you thinking.😊
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Wonderful post. I love lighting candles at home and in church. I am in San Francisco Bay Area visiting my ex/mother/n/law who is ill. I stopped by the Dominican Nun’s church, lit a candle and listened to them sing vespers. I also like the Buddhists teachings and thought of smiling. They strive for peace and calmness in their lives, it’s a good thing to strive for in life. Enjoy your weekend.
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So glad this made you smile. I hope your MIL is on the mend. Wishing you a wonderful trip and safe journeys 😊❤
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you for the reblog, Charles. 💕❤💕
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Always happy to share your posts, My Dear!!
xoxo
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Pingback: – Leibster and Sunshine Awards – 3 Sisters Abroad
Hi just want to let you know I have nominated you for the Leibster Award and the Sunshine award…thanks for a wonderful blog. here is the link http://3sistersabroad.com/2019/09/16/leibster-and-sunshine-awards/
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Thank you kindly.
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Your welcome xx
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