World Smile Day: Why you need to smile today
The first Friday of every October is celebrated as World Smile Day.
Peace begins with a smile, said Mother Teresa. Your joy starts at your lips. So, on World Smile Day, don’t forget to arch those lips a bit. It will be contagious and create a positive aura around you.
HOW IT STARTED
The first Friday of every October is celebrated as World Smile Day. Being marked today, the brainchild behind World Smile Day was an American commercial artist Harvey Ball from Worcester, Massachusetts. The iconic Smiley Face was created by him in 1963. Since then, it has captured the collective bliss of all. It was in 1999 that the first Smile Day was celebrated with zeal and fanfare, with no barriers whatsoever, because a smile is an expression that has no palisades. In 2001, after Harvey passed away, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was established as a tribute to the ‘smiley’ maker.
EVENTS
The day is marked by launching ‘smiley’ balloons which carry messages of joy. A number of competitions and activities, including circuses where jokers perform, and pie-eating contests are also held. The Worcester Historical Society also organises various programmes on this day.
2022 THEME
You feel most contented when you bring a smile on one’s face. Your content ushers in happiness too as you smile within. With this in mind, this year’s World Smile Day is themed “Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.” Don’t just wear your smile, help others sport it too. If more and more people smile, we will have happier people around and positive vibes flowing. In fact, this is the theme that runs through the day every year.
So, make at least one person smile through your actions and observe the chain reaction. Isn’t spreading a smile on this planet a way to bring global peace?
HEALTHY LIVING
Smile is the best therapy. When you smile, your body releases chemicals — endorphins and cortisol — that go a long way in helping you stay hale and hearty. Cheerfulness also marks your character, which reflects in your disposition, gestures and body language.
Smile can keep your blood pressure in check and de-stress you. Spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy once said: “Smile, smile, smile at your mind as often as possible. Your smiling will considerably reduce your mind’s tearing tension.”
Leaving you on a philosophical note... “Smile, because it confuses people. Smile, because it’s easier than explaining what is killing you inside.” Remember The Joker (Heath Ledger)? Come to think of it, a smile can hide your wrinkles of woes. So do that more often and who knows, your pain may do a vanishing act!