Page 86 - Creeative Thinking

The first step in being nicer to people may sound a wee bit simple, but that is because it
is. However, it is equally as effective as it is easy. I’m sure we all agree that there is
almost nothing easier than smiling. That’s right. SMILING. If you can do that, you
certainly have the power to have the kind of life you deserve.

Would you like to have a lifestyle that is virtually stress free? Would you like your
colleagues and adversaries to be nicer to you and everyone around you? If you simply
smile at people more often, you can make this happen. I promise that if you smile at
them regularly, you will see a tremendous variation in the behaviour of your
associates, your friends and your family. You will be amazed at the immense
difference in your life by adding such a seemingly minute gesture. So, isn’t it about
time you smiled?

You can smile at complete strangers as well as people you know and see everyday. It
doesn’t take much more time or effort to smile at someone instead of looking the other
way. Make a point of smiling at your friends, your relatives and co-workers. Go out
of your way to smile at your children, your neighbours and store clerks. Even your in-
laws will be warmer and friendlier if you smile at them, first. After all, it is extremely
difficult to be rude or cold and distant to someone when they are flashing you their
pearly whites.

After you’ve done that for a week or so, try smiling at people you don’t really know.
Complete strangers are very good people to practise on as there is a very good chance
that you’ll never see them again. You may feel a little apprehensive at first, but what’s
the point of being shy? This is your life we are trying to improve, right? And what’s
the worst that could possibly happen? It is doubtful that you will receive anything
other than a smile in return. And if it is not reciprocated? So what?! On to the next
guy. And the next.

The problem you may run in to when rehearsing this is that it can be difficult to obtain
eye contact with people you do not know. This makes it a little trickier to catch their
gaze long enough to exchange smiles. If you run into this problem, just keep trying
and eventually somebody will return your glance.

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