Smile, Just Smile

It's that time of the week again where I like to look back on the past week and think about things that I am  cheerful about. I have to say that it is particularly difficult this week as it hasn't been the best of weeks.

I am not going to fall into my usual trap and dwell on what hasn't gone well this week but I am going to tell you the things in my life that bring me through the other side. The things that make life worthwhile during the hardest moments.

This smile - He smiles with his eyes. Even when he is sick or teething, he still finds the happiness within him to give me this smile. He is a smiley boy and anyone who has ever met him will confirm that they have witnessed a beautiful smile from him but I do think that the one that is captured in this photo here, is the one he keeps just for me.

My wine of choice at the
moment

Red Wine - Not for the purposes of dulling the pain or drowning the sorrows but for the fabulous smooth taste in each glass of red wine that transports my memories to foreign holidays and cosy firesides.

My Bridesmaids pictured here are
some of my closest friends

Friends - I have so many fabulous friends, some I see everyday, some I see less frequently and some I have never even met but I spend so much time speaking to them online that I feel they know me better than I know myself. The amount of support I get from my friends is unbelievable. I will always be grateful to the friends who came to visit me when I was struggling with Grumpinator as a baby. They cooked for me, listened to me, took a turn of holding him while he screamed, cried with me, offered advice, made me laugh and put up with my uncomfortable silences when I couldn't quite find the words.

Me and My Mum

Phone calls - I spend a lot of time on the phone, much to hubby's disgust! When things are tricky or I just need to vent, I usually pick up the phone and call my mum. She is usually captured and has to listen to me until her phone runs of out battery. Sometimes she tells me things I don't want to hear but need to hear regardless. I appreciate her honesty and the fact that she sometimes misses her dinner or favourite TV program because she is listening to my ramblings. JC has picked up a lot from me - can you tell in this video . . .

For more cheerfulness check out Michelle's blog

Smile Like you Mean it

"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness"

William Arthur Ward

Random Acts of Kindness has been on tour this week as I was on holiday in the Czech Republic visiting my Dad. It's a country I have visited many times over the past 7 years since my Dad moved out there. When I first visited I thought that the people were quite cold and lacked emotion. The sense of humour in these parts is dry and they can take a while to warm to you. The language barrier is a big issue as English is not even the second language, Russian or German are more commonly spoken after the official language of Czech due to the countries communist roots. Many of the people I have met in  CZ and have come to know well have been warm and welcoming to me. They prioritise family, keep clean respectable homes and work hard for a living. I wish I could communicate better. There is nothing worse than when you are sitting next to someone who gives off the non verbal cues that they want to converse with you but you can't understand a word! Czech is a difficult language to get your head around though. 

With my Random Acts of Kindness meme in mind, I went on this trip with the intention of bringing the simplest communication devise to the table, my smile. 

I made it my aim to smile at as many people as possible while I was out and about. Even though I couldn't always communicate with words, I could communicate kindness through a smile. My little Grumpinator has the most infectious smile . . . 

I found that many people smiled straight back at me and some would try to strike up a conversation as I guess it made me more approachable. I quickly realised that it actually makes me feel good too. I think that no matter where you are in the world and what situation you find yourself in, a smile can always bring happiness to both smiler and receiver. 

I googled smiling, because I'm nerdy that way and the first hit was 'top ten reasons to smile'. I like this list . . . 

Smiling . . . 

1.  makes us attractive 

2.  changes our mood

3.  is contagious

4.  relives stress

5.  boosts your immune system

6.  lowers your blood pressure

7.  releases endorphins, natural pain relievers and serotonin 

8.  lifts your face and makes you look younger

9.  makes you seem successful

10.helps you stay positive

With a list like that we should all be going around with a big cheesy smile and psychologist, counsellors and plastic surgeons might be out of work! 

I should also mention that many people were really kind to me this week when I was travelling with the wee Grumpinator. Lots of people offering to help me at the airport, carrying my bags and buggy etc. I hope they are Karmically rewards as I certainly appreciated their thoughtfulness and kindness. 

Fancy linking up your own thoughts on kindness? Something you've done or something someone else has done for you?