The Smile Diet Blog

There are smiles everywhere, if you’re willing to look for them. Check out these animal smiles on Huffington Post.

What about your pets? Do you have a favorite smiling photo of them? How about creating one and adding it to this blog? I’ll add one of my cat Francie in the next post.

On my walk today I couldn’t help but notice this huge bumpersticker on a parked SUV that said, “I Love My Wife.” I immediately smiled and felt good, imagining a really happily married couple.

Then I wondered what the husband might have done that his wife forgave him for and thrilled him so much he was compelled to announce how grateful he was to the world.

Then I wondered if perhaps his wife put it on the window to remind Hubby to pay more attention to her.

Whatever the reason, it made me smile again, so I got up close to take a photo.  Then I noticed the license plate:

“DrLasik.”

Made me want to break out singing, “I can see clearly now…”

Horses have always amazed and delighted me. The few times I’ve galloped on a horse, and the many times I’ve watched them run free in an open field,  their power and speed has left me breathless.

As a preteen I longed to ride at Joy Farm during the summers where my two friends Margaret and Tom became blue ribbon riders. When my father said it was too expensive to send me, I settled into living vicariously through the stories of  my friends and became a great fan of the weekly TV show Mr. Ed, the talking horse and his friend Wilbur.

In my 20’s, finally self-supporting, I actually rented a horse for a month for $35 - paid for the privilege of grooming and riding on weekends - and being bucked by a white stallion when I made the mistake of thinking that holding the reins tells the horse you’re the one in control.

Since then I’ve learned a lot about horses and myself, so when I saw this video of  Shagra, the smiling horse, it tapped into the reminder of the greatest gifts I’ve been given from horses and actually, all the animals in my life: learning how to trust and care for them, and in return, receiving love, acceptance, and joy.

Watch this video and be prepared to smile all the way through as you experience the devotion and playfulness between Shagra and his human companion Phyllis that led to her overcoming alcoholism and unhealthy choices and finding peace and happiness.

What about you? Has there been a special connection with a horse or other animal that has made you smile and deepened your joy for life?

“A horse is an angel without wings.”

Take today to the top! Watch the 3 minute video “Smile and Move”

When I first saw the headline “Smile and Move,” I thought excitedly, “Oh, that’s great! Someone’s taken the Smile Diet and Body Shake that I teach in my seminars to raise your enthusiasm and body energy and they turned it into a video! Brilliant! I want to know more!”

As it turns out, “Smile and Move” is another great application - also in The Smile Diet - of focusing on using your strengths and passion to serve others with the same intended result as The Smile Diet: Seek out what inspires you, appreciate what inspires you, and enthuse the world with what inspires you every day. Enthusiasm is your Spirit’s inspiration in action.

The story behind “Smile and Move” makes it even better. What a great way to remind yourself of the power of your smile and your ability to move into positive action and help children and employees do the same by focusing on your greater vision for your actions.

There are also some great tips on the website to create a “Smile and Move” workplace. Here are two of my favorites:

• Greet interruptions from team members and colleagues with a smile. It’s important that they feel comfortable coming to you when they need something.
• Avoid personal gossip in the office, and encourage your team to do the same. Strike an upbeat tone to help people focus on one another’s accomplishments.

Take your day to the top! Smile and Move! Mary

For more “Smile and Move” tips or to read the story behind “Smile and Move,” click here.

This is such a fun song by Dan Zanes guaranteed to make you smile. Take a 2 minute break, turn up your speakers and keep smiling while you’re listening. When you consciously smile while you’re listening to and watching something you enjoy, you crank up your internal endorphin machine that helps relieve more stress from your body and increases your happiness level.

SMILE (lyrics) by Dan Zanes

every time I think of you,
smile for a while
that’s the one thing you always do
smile smile smile

acting out stories and hugging your friends
smile for a while
i know what i’ll do when i see you again
i’m gonna smile smile smile

chorus:
like ripples in a pond
or runners who pass the baton
good feelings will go on for mile after mile
and your big heart circles the world
every time that you smile

doing those voices and telling your jokes
smile for a while
your crazy hairdos and your thrift shop coats
smile smile smile

every time you break into a broadway song
smile for a while
the whole world starts singing along
smile smile smile

well you know i love you and i’m glad you’re my friend
smile for a while
you know what i’ll do when i see you again
smile smile smile

Thank you Dan Zanes for inspiring smiles around the world! You are an awesome songwriter and musician! Many thanks to intuitive clarity consultant Kirsty Holland for introducing him to The Smile Diet Blog.

What you do is so important. And when you forget it, watch this short video clip, “Validation.”

Validating yourself or someone else with a smile and a compliment is one of the fastest ways to make your life better and someone else’s. My friend and gifted art therapist Donna Otter just sent me a YouTube video “Validation.” It is SO GOOD that it even resurrected this blog after a year of silence! “Validation” is one of the best short films I’ve ever seen. I smiled, I laughed, I cried - all within 15 minutes. I realized again how much we all need each other’s smiles and encouraging words every day wherever we find ourselves - waiting lines are a great place to start, and especially the DMV office.

You just never know when your smile will change someone’s life. Kudos to the creators of this film. If everyone followed the heart and humor of Hugh Newman (the lead character in this film), there would be peace everywhere on our precious planet, or at the very least a lot more happy people floating around. Peace starts with a smile. Watch the video (as of this writing there have been 969,066 views!), and then go give someone a genuine 16 second smile and tell them how great they are. I’m sending you a 16-second smile right now. YOU are great!

I just finished reading “Dr. Mao’s Secret to Longevity” column on Yahoo. Today’s post is “Going Up! 7 Pointers to Lift a Bad Mood.”

His 7 points are great, AND by adding a 16-SECOND SMILE to every action he suggests, you will increase the level of endorphins in your body and send a stronger “feel good” message from your brain to your body that will help you feel even better.

Here are his 7 tips:

1. Laugh more. [MM Note: Did you ever realize that laughter begins with a SMILE and is the most intense SMILE you can create?]

2. Consider using the amino acid and nonprescription SAM-e to boost your mood. [MM Note: Be sure to read the fine print. SAM-e can’t be taken if you’re already on anti-depressants.]

3. Go to a hands-on healer. [MM note: And SMILE while you’re being worked on.]

4. Do lunges and squats to activate your natural youth hormones. [MM Note: This is new information to me; all I know is that squats and lunges are two exercises I don’t like to do but know they strengthen my legs and core. These definitely require SMILING to help make them easier.]

5. Breathe more deeply and more often. [MM Note: Here’s where a 16-second SMILE really pays off. You live longer and with more joy when you SMILE while breathing.]

6. Smell the joy. Aromatherapy can lift depression. [MM Note: And do a 16-second SMILE while you’re smelling to increase the positive experience.]

7. Keep fresh blooming flowers around you. [MM Note: And whenever you look at the blooms, SMILE a 16-second SMILE to deepen the pleasure.

Great ideas. Thanks Dr. Mao! Check out Dr. Mao’s book Secrets of Longevity and SMILE while you’re reading it.

Mary Marcdante

Technorati Tags: 16-SECOND SMILE, SMILE, SMILING, depression, Secrets of Longevity

He says he parks there every morning. Never misses.

I’ve never noticed him before. Hmmm….wonder if it has anything to do with the mindset I start out walking with - worries, frustration, “if-only”s, “yeah, but”s, all the thoughts I’m hoping to release and transform into inspired action on my walk.

Lost in thought, I get out of my car at Torrey Pines Beach at my regular spot near Lifeguard Station #3. The air is crisp, the morning fog still covering the sky, ocean waves quieter than normal. What else do I hear? Something strangely familiar that I can’t name.

Music pours into my left ear as I prepare to hike from my car down the rocks to the beach. As I look for the source of the melody, I am baffled. I can’t see where the sound is coming from. And then, a glint of gold catches the morning light inside the car parked a few spaces down from mine. I walk up to the window and as my eyes adjust to the darkness, I feel like the amazed “Pa in his cap” in the “The Night Before Christmas,” when he says, “When what to my wondering eyes should appear…”

What is that!? Oh my gosh! It’s a man playing a trumpet sitting in the middle of the back seat of his SUV. I laugh out loud, smile at him and continue on my walk…for about five steps. I am literally being pulled back to talk with him. I must find out more about anyone and anything that brings a genuine smile and even more so, laughter to my heart when it has just a second before felt so heavy.

I wave again and smile. This big Asian grin smiles back and continues to blow on his trumpet, finishing a song I can’t quite make out.

“That’s AMAZING!” I say. “My name’s Mary. What’s yours?”

“Wrong Wrong.”

“Wrong? Wrong?” My mind is very busy right now. Good Lord! What did he say?! Did I hear right! Did he say something else I didn’t hear? Did he really say “Wrong Wrong”? How could someone look so happy with a name like that in our American culture?!” I stop the monkeymind and ask, “How do you spell that?”

“R-o-n-g-R-o-n-g.”

I smile for the double entendre. “Great to meet you! This is fantastic! Please keep playing. It’s beautiful!

We chat for a minute. How can I not ask? I do. “May I take your picture and put it on my website? And if you give me your email address I’ll send you a copy.”

He nods yes to the photo, and says not necessary to the email. “I practice here every day.” He grins even bigger and goes back to playing his music.

I continue on my walk, a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

That’s the Smile Diet in Action, enthusiasm in action. And the beauty is, this kind of wonder is available to anyone, any time, any place by following these simple steps:

• Will to be open. If you’re feeling low, pause and intend to feel better.
• Notice or look for something that makes you feel go(o)d and stop to appreciate it.
• Smile. Chances are you already are, but notice it and hold it. Yes. The 16-Second Smile. Do it while you’re appreciating and you’ll feel even better.
• Engage with the person or situation in whatever way you can. Greet. Compliment. Introduce yourself. Ask to join in. Don’t just stand there. Actually, yes, do stand there if that’s all you can do, and if you can do more, do something else.
• Tell someone else about your experience. Be enthusiastic in the sharing and don’t let them rain on your parade (and don’t rain on your own parade either). Whoever has the stronger energy shifts the energy.

Is there a Rong Rong in your life that you’re overlooking because you’re so focused on what’s not working in your life? Think Rong Rong is Right Right, the next time you’re feeling low or cynical or just burned out, and go out and look for someone to thank for making you smile. Or fart around with a musical instrument. Yes, fart around. It’s a lot more fun. And let go of that crazy-busy routine for a little while and smile.

Do you recognize the man in the photo? That’s right. Matthew Lesko, the government grant guy. Late night infomercials and in my case, an email in my inbox this morning wanting to help me have a successful future in America by joining his bookclub.

Whenever I see a photo of this man, I find myself myself smiling slightly with a snort and side-to-side head nodding as in “Is he for real?!” What about you? I’ve found his pitch compelling but I’ve never ordered anything from him, as millions of other Americans seem to have done. Maybe that’s the reason he always smiling. And, maybe there’s something else going on…

My point in sharing his photo and my opinion is not to endorse his products (he appears to be doing just fine) but to remind you of these powerful lessons:

* Not everyone will like you (darn!), and when you bump into those who aren’t enamored of your presence, you’ll have a lot less stress and more joy in your life if you practice the 16-second smile and incorporate The Smile Diet’s Six Characteristics of an Enthusiastic Leader into your life:

1. Radiate positive energy
   Lesko’s energy is clown-like, and his larger-than-life enthusiastic presence (outrageous and caricaturable to some) draws attention to his products and services.
2. Be curious and interested in life and people
   Lesko is a voracious researcher, which has made him a wealthy man. He encourages people to learn more about how to improve their lives and his zoot-suit style of dressing with question marks plastered all over his clothing is a not-so-subtle reminder of the power of being curious and asking questions (hopefully before you invest your money in his or anyone else’s products).
3. Focus on the good
   Lesko reminds people that there are opportunities everywhere when you look for them. Even with the number of people who believe he is a scam artist, his testimonial photo letters show that some people are benefiting.
4. Feel deeply and laugh often
   Whether you feel a warm fuzzy or want to turn a cold shoulder toward Lesko, you can’t deny that Lesko likes to have fun and laugh, which is great for managing conflict, especially when you have a vocal peanut gallery of hecklers and several consumer protection agencies investigating you. When asked if he wears his question-mark suit to establish his “brand” he responded, “No, I was just trying to have fun.”
5. Do something you love
   Now, I don’t know Matthew Lesko personally, but I do know that to sustain a larger-than-life personality in the public eye requires incredible energy and a passion for connecting with others. Lesko’s longevity in business and the information products industry suggests that he also has a passion for his ideas.
6. Serve a greater purpose than yourself
   A business succeeds or fails based on how well it serves people. Whether you see Matthew Lesko’s business as a service or scam, his work is focused on helping others benefit from government grants they may not be aware of. Check out this Harvard Business Review article on Lesko:

His motivation is not greed, but altruism, Lesko said. When asked whether the government has given him money to advertise different programs, he responded, “Yes, but money is not important to me anymore.” He said that “some bureaucrats say, ‘Talk about my program,’” but they’re not trying to get rich. “They’re just earnest people trying to help.” After all, said Lesko, the American people have already paid for all of these programs through taxes and fees, so shouldn’t they use what they’ve already bought? “People are so unhappy working for large organizations, because, really, they don’t care,” Lesko said. “When you have your own thing, you can paint the world your way—the way you always wished the world was.”

Love him or hate him, view him as a leader or loser, Matthew Lesko makes a great point about painting the world your way to create the world the way you wish it was, and a great way to paint your world is to…

Share your smile. Lots of people need it today.

From today’s Chicago Tribune article “YouTube founder rides video clips to dot-com riches.”

“Today, Chen is not quite a household name. But his manically moussed hair, his gold hoop earrings and a smile that could light a small city seem to be everywhere.”

A few facts about Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube, that you may not know:

• He has a cat named Stinky who sleeps on his back in Steve’s new San Francisco apartment.
• He’s 28 years old and working on his college degree at the University of Illinois after leaving U of I when PayPal came recruiting during fall break of his senior year.
• Chen is the code-writing genius behind YouTube, having a “keen interest in computers and high-level mathematics since his parents emigrated from Taiwan in 1986 to set up an import business in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
• He and his co-founders Hurley and Karim (who left shortly after the company started - ooh, wonder how he feels about his partners getting 1.65 BILLION for selling YouTube?!) discovered a public need for a fast way to download video to the computer and YouTube was born one night at a dinner party at Chen’s home.

Steve Chen’s success is a great example of living and succeeding with enthusiasm and using Smile Diet principles to create that success:

* Radiate energy (a smile that could light a small city)

* Do What You Love (mathematics and computer code for Chen)

* Nurture Your Support Network (dinner parties for friends)

* Act on Your Dreams (leaving school to work at PayPal because he was “sensitive to the time window that the opportunity was going to exist” and then going back while working to finish.)

What’s your dream? It could be the next YouTube.

Keep creating! Keep smiling!