I like when something makes me smile, especially when it’s unexpected. I’ve listed 8 instant pick me-ups that will put a smile on your face as well. I’m sure after reading my list, you’ll start to think of the things that make you smile. It’s a scientific fact that you use fewer muscles to smile than to frown. For some reason, every time I thing about this I try to make sure I’m not frowning!
8 Funny Street Signs
Photo Credit: Aztec West
There is a road we pass on the way to town that is named Wagner Bottom. I don’t know why it is called this, but it makes me smile every time. Typos also make me smile at times. There are two signs at each end of our town, both saying the same phrase. However, a particular word is spelled differently on each sign. I don’t know how many people are aware of this, but it does bring a smile to my face. I’m sure you know of a sign that you see often or remember and it makes you grin when you see or think about it.
7 Finding Unexpected Money
Photo Credit: Gnerk
I love finding a dollar in my pocket when I was expecting merely pocket lint or seeing change at the bottom of the washing machine as I pull out wet clothing. For some reason, I’m always excited about finding this unexpected token of forgetfulness. What’s even better than happening upon an extra bit of change is treating yourself to something with it.
6 Watching Kittens or Kids Play
Photo Credit: Weird_Aunt_Martha
I find that both of these tiny beings are very entertaining to watch. Kittens have some amazing moves and can fly through the air in an instant. Their antics always make me smile. I also remember enjoying listening to the conversations my son and his friends would have as I watched them play on the merry-go-round. Little kids are curious and their awe with the world in general is so earnest that there’s no way to keep a grin from spreading across your face when you see them play.
5 Acts of Kindness
Photo Credit: johnr71
As I was sitting in a restaurant in the city, I noticed a homeless man standing next to the building across the street. There was a slight drizzle, but he didn’t seem to be trying to avoid it. A lady was passing by and about to enter the building the man was standing in front of. When she reached the man, she handed him her giant umbrella. I couldn’t help but smile at this act of kindness.
4 Chatting with a Friend
Photo Credit: s4ints
Calling up a friend that I haven’t spoke to for a long period of time is not only a great way to catch up on past events, but even hearing the distant voice of a close friend makes me smile. When I haven’t gotten a chance to speak with my best friend, we usually talk for at least an hour. This is filled with stories about our kids and sometimes we reminisce about events that occurred before our children were born.
3 Seeing Someone else’s Smiling Face
Photo Credit: Flickrgrl42
It’s hard not to smile when someone smiles at you first. Even if it’s a perfect stranger smiling at me, I can’t help but return the non-verbal greeting. Smiles truly are contagious. Haven’t you ever been smiled at and then felt cheery enough to pass on the sentiment to someone else? It also works the other way around; smiling at someone first can create an even bigger smile on your own face.
2 Eating Ice-cream
Photo Credit: ulterior epicure
I don’t know about you, but the thought of ice-cream makes me smile. It’s such a great treat and an inexpensive one at that. There was a candy shop located in this one little town I visited that had the most amazing smell drifting out of it. As I slowed down to look in the window, a customer came walking out with a huge waffle cone overflowing with ice-cream. I then found out that the smell wafting from the candy shop was the baking of homemade waffle cones.
1 Signs of Love
Photo Credit: juntos ( Slow- OFF/ON)
I’ve seen many public moments where an, “Awwww…” has escaped my lips. Seeing an elderly man tenderly take his loving wife’s hand and as they walk down the road, watching the face of a small child presenting his mother with a dandelion, or catching a glimpse of a young couple as they embrace one another and gaze into each other’s eyes. These are a few examples that I can think of off the top of my head.
This is my personal list of 8 instant pick me-ups that will put a smile on your face, but I encourage you to think of your own. The world can be a hectic place. Taking some time to enjoy the little things in life definitely makes my day go a bit smoother. What always makes you smile instantly?
Top Photo Credit: Denis Vrublevski