Well, it’s THAT time of year again…
Last year’s holidays are done and gone…
The weather is bone-chilling cold and gloomy,
Some places are even snowed in right now.
That faint flicker of light at the end of this winter’s tunnel…
It starts glowing brighter the closer we get to spring break – IN MARCH!!!
It’s no wonder that in January we can feel a little ho-hum.
It’s also why the Society of Happy People started Hunt for Happiness Week — nineteen Januarys ago.
It’s a WOW!! anniversary that makes me feel older than I’d like to think I am, and maybe in need of hunting for a little more happiness than usual.
This year that will be easy and fun.
We are hunting for the people, pets, places, things, and social media posts that start our smiles.
We set a goal during Happiness Happens Month to recognize One Million Smile Starters.
Why?
It’ll make the world a happier and “smilier” place.
When you recognize a Smile Starter it’ll make them smile, and then they’ll smile at someone else, because smiles are contagious. So, with one Smile Starter Award, you can start a smile chain. If you give out say, 10, that’s 10 smile chains.
Also, your Smile Starters don’t have to be people you know. Maybe it’s your server at a restaurant. Or someone who opened a door for you. Or you catch the guy who picks up your garbage every week.
Smiles are important. They are a universal language.
They also have significant physical, emotional, and mental health benefits:
- Smiling provides the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2000 chocolate bars or 16,000 pounds or about $20,939.98. (Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act — TED Books)
- Smiling is linked with reduced stress levels, increased health and endorphin levels, and lowered blood pressure. (Psychology Today)
- Although we smile less while at work, people who smile are more likely to receive job promotions, earn a higher income, and experience better productivity at work. (Forbes)
- When people smile at us, it triggers the reward center of the brain. That means we like and remember people who smile at us. (Forbes)
- Smiling does not cause wrinkles. In fact, smiling acts as a facial massage that delivers blood, endorphins, and antioxidants to the skin’s surface. (Viva Woman)
So, why would you want to become a Smile Starter Award Presenter?
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- It’s fun to think about all of the people, pets, and things that make you smile. Often, it’s nostalgic—one of the 31 Types of Happiness.
- When you tell someone that they start your smiles, it’ll make them smile too. We need to tell the people we care about the most the things they do that make us feel good and special.
- Your efforts will help make the world a happier place—at least for a few moments. The world needs more happy and smiles—especially now.
This year, we even created a special Smile Starter badge for our pets and will use the hashtag: #SmileStarterPets. You can give one to pets you don’t know one by just tagging them with #SmileStarterPets online if they started a smile for you.
Yes, sometimes happiness is a little more challenging to find than at other times. But when and if you’re looking for it, you’ll most likely find it. Once you do, it’s only natural then to share with other your smiles and what started them with others.
So, please join us in this year’s Hunt for Happiness by recognizing a few Smile Starters. It really will make the world a little happier.
Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.