Daria’s Perspective

The Most Underrated Superpower

By Daria Campbell

When Covid showed up I learned something very interesting. Not that it was groundbreaking or that I was the only one who felt this way, but I can honestly say, “I HATE MASKS!”. But not for the obvious reasons, but because they caused a bigger issue for me. They became my kryptonite because they hid my smile and my smile is my superpower.

Smiles have a lot of power behind them and they can completely change an outcome in yours and other people’s lives and in situations you face.  It is free and it is easy. You may have heard at some point that it takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 muscles to smile. Also laugh lines are much more pliable and attractive than frown lines and if you notice people who frowned all their lives, they can’t get their face to get unstuck from that position?  Even if they are happy, they still look cranky. My daughter and I once volunteered for Christmas at a retirement home and I could tell who had smiled their whole lives and who had not in an instant. Believe me you do not want to lose the ability.

We never know when the masks will come back so take advantage of your superpower now!  When a smile is given with true sincerity it can cause strong and mighty results. I can not tell you the amount of times I have gotten out of sticky situations or handed amazing opportunities just because I smiled at people while communicating with them. You only get one chance to make a first impression and smiling will help you more than you know.

It is also important to smile while on the phone. I am a Recruiter and I can either call my Candidates and Clients with good news or bad news. For this reason, I keep a mirror at my desk. When I am giving bad news especially, I will watch myself in the mirror to make sure I keep a smile on my face from before I start dialing to when I hang up. It makes a world of difference. People well and truly “hear” when you are smiling on the phone. Do not take it for granted.

And how many times has someone smiled at you and it took you off guard and put a little skip in your heart? I have been in the blackest of moods sometimes when I am out and about and a spontaneous smile from a stranger can honestly turn my attitude around in seconds.  

You want a more joyful existence in all areas of your life. Try smiling more.  Besides, you reap what you sow. The more you smile the more smiles you will get. It is just common sense.  Practice it if it is not natural to you. If you are that much out of practice think of it as a new skill to learn an master.

And I honestly hope as you read this, it made you smile.