Smiles have incredible power.  They have the power to lift your spirit, and brighten your life.  A smile from a young child, an elderly person or a smile from a stranger, it doesn't matter it just has to be smile that is reflected in their eyes and reaches into yours.  In my mind smiles are linked to the cheerful, friendly and kind part of the Boy Scout Law.  It takes a lot of energy to stay angry and upset with people.  Happiness comes more easily when you are able to forgive someone and then be courteous and kind to them.  Forgiveness is a very difficult thing, and apologies are even more difficult to make because you have to humble yourself and accept your short comings.  My foray into being a more positive cheerful person has resulted in a better attitude on my part.  I am determined to stay positive and avoid negative comments about other people.  It is human nature to blame others for your problems and troubles.  I am working through my hangups and coming up with all the reasons they are my fault and then making changes in my behavior to avoid those problems in the future.  I haven't always been successful but I do believe that the shift in my attitude is reflected in how people react to me.  Keeping positive around people and trying to come up with only good things to say is getting easier, although I have to admit that my sarcastic moments haven't disappeared altogether.  I find that I am drawn to more positive people who want to be part of the solution and not contribute to the problem.  Am I happier?  I think so, I find myself smiling more, even when I am sitting typing or listening to music as I jog.  Come join me in this new world of positive attitude, send me an email (fay@faywatson.com) so that we can support each other.  We can smile at others and make a difference!

see my previous blog entries about my attitude...

my apology : http://faywatson.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!7E99A5A4F25596CC!279.entry
and my apology revisited : http://faywatson.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!7E99A5A4F25596CC!284.entry