Smile Like Ya Mean It

As a former client relations manager, I know that the concept to “smile when you are talking on the phone and you will sound happy” (even when you are angry/frustrated/annoyed) is an excellent one. It really works.

So is the idea that it is impossible to stay angry when you laugh.

It is why I always try to make my children laugh when they are in a full on rage. (Note: This is not the same as laughing at them, which will ALWAYS make them even more enraged with you.)

This is also why, as a stressed out 30-something in the hedge fund industry, my mommy bought me a “Tickle Me Elmo” for Christmas that first year that they came out.

Yes, somewhere, Christmas morning in 1996, there was a very disappointed 4-year old crying in front of the tree because SHE didn’t get the Tickle-Me-Elmo that she so badly wanted, but was, unknown to her, sold out in all the stores.

And yes, that Elmo is tucked away in the nether regions of our house here in the UK.

Because, yes, it is still impossible to be angry when you are looking at and listening to this ridiculous toy giggle.

Laughter really is the best medicine (although Lexapro and Xanax are pretty good substitutes, but that’s another post entirely.) And a smile really is worth a thousand words.

And if I have to fake it so that my boy doesn’t see my angst, fear and anxiety, I’m gonna fake it as best I can.

“Beauty comes from a life well lived. If you’ve lived well, your smile lines are in the right places, and your frown lines aren’t too bad, what more do you need? ” – Jennifer Garner (surprised?)