How much does it take to make you smile?
By Leca
@lecanis (16647)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
June 28, 2007 3:59pm CST
Even when things are going really badly for me (like right now with my health) it only takes a tiny amount of kindness from another human being to make me smile. It's amazing the extent to which one small moment can make a whole lot of pain just become less important!
Today I've been on and off mylot between bouts of vertigo and trying to take care of my son, and I discovered a sweet little message a friend of mine left under a response I made to someone else's discussion. I feel like my whole face just lit up! It's so easy to get depressed and discouraged when things aren't going well that often one forgets these kinds of small moments as soon as they are gone.
So my goals for today are now these: to make sure I do remember those little things that happen to make me feel better, and to make an effort to make someone else feel that way too.
9 people like this
27 responses
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
29 Jun 07
Hello, lecanis!:-)
The easiest way to make me smile is to bring a child in front of me, my child or any other child. The typical innocence, curiosity in their eyes, their smile, anything about them makes me forget every bad thing and I smile instantly. Seeing my wife and parents either by my eyes or imagination makes me smile every time I see them. My friend's kind gesture, both offline and online, makes me blush and smile. On mylot, I see many people making very nice and kind gestures for others that make me smile to admire their greatness. Silliness, my or any body's, bring smile, not for disrespect but for fun.
Some times I even have to control my laughter seeing people crying in a very odd fashion and I have to cover my face to hide my smile. I know this sounds unethical but sometimes I can't help, I don't know why. First bite of a good food, a sarcastic remark, acknowledging people saying thanks or sorry or when they acknowledge mine, and...and...fill in the blanks:-)
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
29 Jun 07
Oh yes, a child is the easiest way to make me smile as well I think. There are just so many amazing things about them! I used to think that I didn't want to have children myself, even though I really cared for other people's children, and now that I have my own I just can't imagine what every day would be like without him to make me smile and laugh. =P
Those sound like a lot of good reasons to smile, kamran. And one perhaps not so nice one, but I think everyone has that reaction sometimes as well!
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
29 Jun 07
you are very right lecanis! concept of life after one becomes parent changes so much that concept of life without them is very difficult:-)
I know that one is not nice. It was often earlier in my life, now it's rare and as I learn and grow, I hope i'll get rid of it sooner than later:-)
1 person likes this
@aissha (2036)
• India
29 Jun 07
excellent lecanis ,u are doing good for u and ur son and i'm quite proud of u and inspired by u as a friend.i know vertigo is very disturbing as my husband had it for some time. i'll suggest u to do meditation and i hope u'll be at more peace. my brightest blessings to u and ur and ur whole family.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
29 Jun 07
Thanks, aissha! =)
Did they find the cause of your husband's vertigo? What kind of treatments did he use? Obviously I am very interested in the topic right now since I haven't found a treatment that is working for me yet. I hope your husband is doing well now!
I really appreciate all your kind words. =)
@aissha (2036)
• India
3 Jul 07
my husband got it last yr. and it was sudden ,he felt dizziness though he was conscious but he was very disturbed ,the doctor just one medicine which mainy to soothe him and he was fine in few days ,but i'm still alert,when he got this i read few article about this and came to know a regular life style and exercise with expert's help and mediataion will help.brightest blessings.
@ivyoon (673)
• United States
29 Jun 07
Your post has put a smile on MY face!
Life is really just a series of "the little things", and if we remember all to good little things, our lives seem so much more full of love and laughter.
Learning from the bad little things is what helps us grow, and when we grow, we promote more good little things!
So, here's one more "good little thing" for you, lecanis!
Keep your chin up... we really are all in this together.
1 person likes this
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
28 Jun 07
The same here. I am battling excruciating pain and sleep deprivation because I cannot sleep at night with this back pain and and sciatic-nerve tingling and pain. I am surving on TONS of coffee and tea to struggle to stay awake in the day. I am very glad that you have that very worthy goal. A little bit of praise goes a long ways.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
28 Jun 07
Aww. It sounds like you are going through a very rough time. I hope that things get better for you. I know it can be hard to struggle with things that are just ongoing, and it makes it hard to stay positive. From what I've seen of you around here, you've always been very kind and helpful. =)
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
28 Jun 07
Thank you ever so much for such a kind reply!
Oh, but do I ever have my moments! Just ask ofeibadu on YouTube if I have ever b*tch*d at him in emails.
It's very hard to keep my mind and temper in check while in fiery pain, exhausted, sometimes under the influence of pain medication, and am continually deprived of sleep.
1 person likes this
@seksiconnie (1173)
• Philippines
29 Jun 07
you've done it already..and i know how it feels, i wish you get well soon and i'll always be here to support you..take care.
1 person likes this
@minijumbuk (514)
• Australia
29 Jun 07
It actually takes alot of effort to make me actually think something is funny because i have been exposed to too many funny things in life. I have heard almost any joke, including non-funny jokes =.=
my friends always say that i do not have a sense of humour because of this, i never find their jokes funny because they are rather silly....... But when i am happy, i smile easily (not smiling as in funny smiling, but as in happy smiling), when i am around my friends and acting silly, just relaxing, i tend to smile alot! however, i also get depressed and discouraged easily when things are not going well... just like you =D
I am not a very emotional person, not very caring for other's emotions and feelings, but i try not to be mean to people, but if they really annoy me, i can be really mean to them.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
29 Jun 07
Thanks for sharing, minijumbuk! It's so interesting how different people's personalities work, and how the same things affect different people in certain ways.
I am lucky enough not to have to worry about having heard jokes before, since I seem incapable of remembering them. =p
@minijumbuk (514)
• Australia
30 Jun 07
hahahahah that is pretty lucky for you! you get to be entertained by the same joke over and over again for not remembering them, that way you will never get bored LOL!
Anyways, i guess it is not so bad for me either, i do hear more funny jokes occasionally and when i do, i do laugh at them. My friends think i am boring when they tell me a joke (lame ones usually =.=, not trying to be mean though......) I do not laugh at it because i don't find it funny at all!
xD
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
29 Jun 07
SOMETIMES THE SMALLEST THING DOES CAUSE THE BIGGEST SMILE. My little dog can make me smile, my silly hubby makes me smile and sometimes those are just precious moments that get us through the tough things...
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
29 Jun 07
I make it a habit of my life and daily goal to find the good in any situation which automatically makes me smile - I love smiling, feel better inside, and particularly enjoy sharing smiles with other (making them smile). It doesn't take much to make me smile :)
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
29 Jun 07
You make a great point about how sharing smiles with others makes you feel better as well. I find that too! It's so amazing how much such a small gesture can help both you and the other person. =)
I think I shall have to remember this as my daily goal from now on as well!
@ratburn (939)
• Philippines
29 Jun 07
it only takes a little to make me smile, like a sunny day, seeing children playing, an SMS from a friend, money left in my pockets. i really just can't help to smile when i see children. there is something about seeing those smiles, and hearing them speak. just makes your day. also, their are times i realize that even despite all the problems i have, i am lucky to be here and to have all the people around me. i am so blessed.
:) this discussion just made me smile :) lecanis, good luck with everything. you're doing great!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Jun 07
MMMmmm..maybe you should check out my discussion I just started about the gratitude rock....simple things will make me smile...a kind remark from either friend or stranger...sometimes, ..well, actually quite often..something here at MyLot...someone will respond with wonderful words..or even something so silly it makes me literally laugh out loud and puts me in a good mood
1 person likes this
@kkittie21 (5)
• United States
29 Jun 07
I am one of those people who smile all the time. It doesn't matter if I am sad or upset. I still find myself smilingat everyone who I come across. I think it is my family who taught me it takes more muscles to frown then to smile. Life is special and smiling makes it more special.
@qutevarun (75)
• India
29 Jun 07
i donno why i am really tensed these days...maybe my career placements or about my past..i really dont know but to make me smile my friends sit close to me and say some idiotic jokes in an attempt to make me smile....though i dont smile at their jokes i smile at their attempts to make me smile and that remains so close to my heart...hope i recover from the stress i am undergoing and throw away the useless probless that i carry along..
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
29 Jun 07
I do hope that you feel better soon! I think it's great that your friends are trying so hard to help you, even if sometimes it's not the jokes but the effort that helps. It's so important to have people that really care about you.
I wish you all the best with your current problems, and hope that things get better for you!
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
28 Jun 07
I smile all the time..I have a hard time not smiling..But as quickly and as easily as I smile I can turn on the water works and cry too;)+
1 person likes this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
19 Jul 07
Just goes to show that being kind to others can really make the world of difference to someone not to mention yourself. I try to do good deeds and I always feel so good after I do. I think we should all take more time to be considerate and thoughtful. The world would be a much better place.
@biwasaki (1745)
• United States
28 Jun 07
I think the goals you have for today are great ones! Why not make them goals for everyday?
For me, even if my children or my husband are driving me insane all it takes is a hug and "I love you" and it makes me forget about why I was so upset in the first place. Anytime I get to hear that they love me puts a smile on my face and reminds me that even though we may not have much in the world we do have each other. It's a cliche, I know, but it really is true!
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
28 Jun 07
You have a really good point, biwasaki, those should be my goals for everyday! =)
I feel the exact same way about hearing the words "I love you". It's amazing how far that can go! And a hug from my one-year-old son is about the best thing in the entire world for me!
I think cliches got to be that way for a reason. =p
1 person likes this
@candiec2005 (828)
• United States
29 Jun 07
aww that's nice. I know what you mean. Sometimes all a person needs to hear when they are in despair is a kind word. It can mean the world!
1 person likes this
@lyndee22 (1210)
• Philippines
20 Jul 07
A positive complement or just share a nice joke and listening to a lively music make me smile. Everyone's life is a composition of different stages or situations and we can't just let our emotions control our lives. We have to find ways to check or overcome it and in that way we will be up again.
@zuiyirenjian (231)
• China
27 Sep 07
I don't observe carefully...but ,i guess tiny things will make me happy, for i am optimistic...
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