Welcome to “Mom”-day! We had a great weekend here, warm temps on Saturday- a high of 70*! Then, Sunday- snow! š not a fan of spring snow. I’m ready for warm all the time.
I wanted to share with you something I have been reading lately. It’s Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People. The book is really interesting in how he suggests to treat people, and frankly I’m finding that I already knew most of it, it’s just putting things into practice that is the challenge. š
One of the things he discusses, and in fact has an entire chapter devoted to it, is that we need to smile! Especially if you want people to like you. Not a forced or fake smile, but a real genuine happy smile. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, take stock of your face right this moment. Are you smiling? My guess is probably not. When you’re doing the laundry, are you smiling? I’m usually not.
I decided to test out his theory. And not even on anyone else, just on myself. Last week, as I was cleaning the kitchen (it was a disaster- remember how I was sick? nothing had been done for days) I decided to focus, not on how this would probably all be undone in just a matter of moments, but on the happy faces of my children, how much I love them and how grateful I am that I can serve them in this way- and then I added a smile. Guess what? It worked! I smiled, and then I smiled some more. And I didn’t mind the housework so much. And I was happy.
Over the course of the last week I have decided that every time I think about it, I’m going to smile. Not just think that I need to smile, but actually smile- even if no one else is around. And as I have done that, the smiles come easier. And I find my children smiling. And we’re happier.
Have I found the magic pill that suddenly makes everything simple and easy? No. But I have discovered that something simple and free can change a mood, a feeling, a day! So, go out there and SMILE!
xoxo,
Amy
Crafty Girls
April 4, 2011 at 4:21 pmAmen! We all need to smile more! What has been on my mind a lot lately is how angry and sad the entire world is. If everyone would just smile! You can't be mad at someone that is smilinig! I am going to try out your "smile all the time" method today. I work with gals that do not make me smile. I think I will shock them today and smile the entire time at work! š I am smiling just thinking about it! Thanks for this post…I needed it!
Have a great week!
Irene
Christie
April 4, 2011 at 4:43 pmSeriously so true. Though I can't even begin to force a smile when cleaning my kids' bathroom…
Leanne
April 4, 2011 at 5:21 pmYeah, I need to smile more, especially while driving. LOL! I'm so excited for Thursday. I'm ready for a little break and a lot of smiling and laughing, but maybe not much sleep.
Amy @ Increasingly Domestic
April 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm"I like to smile, smiling's my favorite!"
š I heart Buddy!
Rachel
April 4, 2011 at 6:00 pmThat's a great book. Thanks for the reminder to smile, sometimes it's easy to forget.
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
April 4, 2011 at 8:33 pmGreat advice. I don't smile enough. Sometimes I wonder if everyone thinks I'm angry all the time. I'm going to try this out. Will it help get me through the end of laundry day? š
Camilla
April 4, 2011 at 9:36 pmJust found your blog through twitter. I'm a utah'ite as well. Love all your fun sewing projects, I envy people who can sew and sew good! great blog.
meggy
April 5, 2011 at 6:41 amThis comment has been removed by the author.
Karen
April 5, 2011 at 6:41 amI'm smiling… ok, not really. But it's past midnight and John's snoring in the other room.
But I will smile tomorrow!!! Thanks for the excellent post.
arendje
April 5, 2011 at 7:29 amThank you for sharing your thoughts – is it possible to get a copy of the bunny template you shared on The Idea Room – love the pillow tutorial – [email protected]