Skip to main content

What Makes You Smile? A Small Invitation to Happiness

As I walk from one place to another, I usually let my mind drift and wander. Since I generally know where I’m headed, I give my thoughts the freedom to roam. Often, I plan the minutes, hours, and days ahead — finding ways to enjoy myself while making the most of my time, organizing the flow from one task to the next so my day feels full and meaningful.

Other times, my mind latches onto something I’ve seen that, for some reason, captures my attention. It could be anything — nature, architecture, a person’s expression, a phrase written on a sign, a smell carried by the wind, or a sudden noise. I start making analogies and discovering connections I hadn’t considered before. The clarity of water. The restlessness of noise. The relationship between how someone stands and the expression on their face. I know I’m not the first person to wonder about these things, but I still love experiencing the process myself. It’s the thrill of those unexpected connections that leaves me in awe.

Many times, I also think of the people in my life who might benefit from a little prayer — and I pray for them. This week, while walking from one building to another and thinking of those I care about, I found myself smiling. Not because of their needs or struggles, of course, but because my thoughts shifted to my children. Simply thinking about them made me smile. I wasn’t talking to them or seeing them — just remembering them. How powerful is that?

And then I wondered: Do we really know what makes us smile?

We tend to think that smiling is a reaction to happiness. But the opposite is also true — smiling can create happiness. That makes the question of what makes us smile even more meaningful. By intentionally smiling at the thought of the things that warm our hearts, we can nurture our own joy. It might be a family member, a beloved pet, a special place, a song, or a cherished memory we replay in our minds.

Whatever it is for you, I invite you to pause this week and think of a couple of things that make you smile. Sit with them for a moment. Maybe you’ll find yourself smiling too — and feeling just a little happier.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Love or the Lack of it

Over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring truth: every time my heart feels restless, it’s because of love—or the absence of it. Love is the ultimate reason behind almost everything we experience. Think about it: when someone walks into a room and doesn’t say hello, it’s not just a matter of bad manners. It makes you feel invisible. That sense of invisibility steals your peace because, deep down, you don’t feel loved by that person. And I mean not loved, which is different from unloved. When we feel a sense of injustice, it often stems from a lack of love toward someone. It could be as small as someone eating the last piece of cake without asking if anyone else wanted some, or as inconsiderate as not replacing the toilet paper roll. I remember once rushing to make it to a meeting on time, only to find my friends arriving 30 minutes—sometimes even an hour—late. The examples are endless, but here’s what I’ve realized: whenever our hearts feel battered, if we pause and dig deep enough, we’l...
Post a Comment
Read more

Being Intentional: The Power of Planning Ahead

Many years ago, right after moving here, I went to a dentist. Before leaving, they asked me to schedule my next routine appointment. Since I had never done that before, it felt a bit exaggerated to book something six months in advance. But then I remembered the saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So, I did. After years of scheduling routine appointments for doctors and dentists ahead of time, I’ve realized the system is brilliant. We all need those checkups, and the sooner we schedule them, the better. It’s not just about securing a convenient time—it’s about making sure we don’t forget altogether. A couple of months ago, after dinner with friends, I suggested we set up our next meal right away—two months later. With our busy schedules, I wanted to maximize the chances that everyone could make it. To my surprise, everyone loved the idea, and it worked perfectly. That experience made me think: how many other things could we plan intentionally—things that don’t have an ulterior ...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Sedentary Faith to Audacious Trust

Last week, I read something that deeply resonated with me: the idea that  sedentism —a concept we usually associate with our physical lifestyle—has also quietly settled into our spiritual lives. It’s not just about how we seek food, shelter, or comfort anymore. It’s about how we approach faith. The reflection suggested that, since the Industrial Revolution, many of us have lived with a sense of safety and stability. That comfort has seeped into our spirituality. As long as we avoid major sins—like harming others—we assume we’re on the right path, bound for Heaven. But this kind of passive faith, shaped by comfort, can become weak. It doesn’t require boldness. It doesn’t demand trust in God when things fall apart. I had never thought about faith in this way. I’ve always seen myself as someone fairly courageous. But when I paused to reflect, I realized that four years ago, three of the biggest “certainties” in my life were stripped away. Beyond the pain and sadness, that moment marke...
3 comments
Read more