It works! . . . .

I hope this doesn't sound corny.....

We all have grumpy days, right? I had a grumpy day yesterday. I can't even tell you why. I just woke up that way. I went to yoga, which was awesome as always, so I felt a bit better, but still wasn't feeling myself. After yoga, I hopped on my elliptical to get my cardio session in, turned on my favorite music, and (okay, here's the corny part), I reached as deep as I could and mustered up the biggest smile. My elliptical is surrounded by mirrors, so I looked in the mirror, and smiled. Not just a grin, but a huge, happy, ear-to-ear smile. The more I smiled the happier I got! I could feel my whole outlook changing. My self-inflicted misery disappeared! I ended up laughing at my grumpiness, asking myself...."what's your problem? Get over it!" What a difference it made in my entire outlook, and the rest of my day.  I apologize if that sounds corny, but it works. I promise.....it really works!

......and it feels good too!

"Sometimes your joy is 

the source of your smile,

but sometimes your smile 

can be the source of your joy."

-Thich Nhat Hanh

When you look in the mirror, 

do you look for what you love most?

Do you smile?

Did you just ask, 

"Is there any other reason to look into a mirror?"

(Smartie.)

Please tell your friends 

to never look into a mirror without smiling!

-via Notes from The Universe

The most beautiful curve 

on a woman's body

is her smile.

Smile . . . .it's Friday!

A laugh is a smile that bursts.

A smile is the most beautiful curve 

on a woman's body.

Smile like you mean it.

Wrinkles should merely indicate 

where smiles have been.

I've never seen a smiling face

that was not beautiful!

A smile is a curve 

that sets everything straight.

Share your smile with someone today!

Photo via Google Images

"To promote the highest development of mind and soul, a sunny disposition is indispensable; the brighter, the happier, and the sweeter the disposition, the more easily and the more rapidly will any talent develop; and it is a literal truth that a sunny disposition is to the talents of the mind what a sunny day is to the flowers of the field."

-Christian D. Larson

Graphic by Pennywishes via etsy

I can't stop smiling! . . . .

What a night!  I danced in my local Dancing With The Stars fund raiser event, and we accomplished exactly what we set out to do! We landed a spot in the top 3, which means we got to dance in the 2nd round! I am completely satisfied with that! It was definitely one of my top life highlights. I learned that I will never turn down an opportunity like that, even though it would be easy to let the fear of it all hold you back. Needless to say, we raised a record amount of money for a great cause and I couldn't be happier about that.

This morning I opened my email and received this 'note from The Universe'. I laughed out loud.

Every compliment, criticism, promotion, setback, good vibe, cough or really long line you have to wait in, Connie, is a gift that was meticulously designed to make possible your becoming more than who you were, and ultimately, happier than ever before, as we dance into forever.

How do you ever keep from celebrating, all the time, Connie,

or does this explain why you smile so much? 

-The Universe

Happy Friday!

Have a lovely weekend!

Progression of a smile . . . .

A smile starts on the lips,

A grin spreads to the eyes,

A chuckle comes from the belly,

But a good laugh bursts forth 
from the soul,

overflows, 
and bubbles all around.

-Carolyn Birminghan

Anne Hathaway photo via Google Images

Bruce Willis photo by Nigel Parry

George Clooney photo via Google Images

Julia Roberts photo via Google Images

Laugh it off . . . .

The alarm has just gone off, and the urge to go back to sleep is insistent. There is nothing funny about waking up for work; you're likely thinking about why you didn't get enough sleep, or who stole all the covers, or how someone's snoring kept you up half the night. What could possibly be funny about this awful hour in the morning? What person in their right mind wakes up laughing, asks your tired, grumpy self. 

• Lying on your back, eyes closed, think back on a ridiculous thing you (or someone you know) did that now makes an outrageously hilarious story.

• Remember a time you laughed really hard. Who were you with? What happened to make you laugh?

See if you can coax a chuckle out of your calamities. Learn to laugh at yourself more often. Lighten up, so laughter can spill forth from your everyday routine.

From the book Five Good Minutes

Happy Friday!
May your weekend be 
filled with sunshine!

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Here's To You . . . .

From the book "Here's To You"

Photo via Google Images

True joy . . . .

"To experience true joy

is to feel yourself

smiling on the inside."