World Smile Day
Happy World Smile Day. Don't you think this is one of the best things to celebrate!
About Today:
It's a great initiative that Harvey Ball - the commerical artist who created the smiley face back in 1963 - established for the purpose of spreading love through acts of kindness, starting with something as simple as a smile.
Smiling, in any culture, is percieved as a sign of friendliness. In Islam for instance, we view it as the smallest, most effortless charity you can give and our Prophet - peace be upon him - highly encouraged it:
In Christianity, smiling is seen as something that brings joy:
And in Judaism, it is seen as the best form of greeting:
So we can agree, it is a universal belief that smiling, as basic as it is, is a fundamental bond between people and a great factor in spreading happiness.
It is no coincidence that many religions promote smiling and that is that with the joy it may bring, there are health benefits as well, such as:
This health benefit reminded me of Smile by Charlie Chaplin:
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you
What Is The "Smiliest" Country You Ever Visited?
I think the best example of "smiley" people I had witnessed, are Austrians. In all my life I've never met a kinder people. Always smiling and helping out everyone around. I have great respect and admiration for their joyful and welcoming attitude, which would have made staying in a foriegn country a lot harder without. I hope that people around the world would learn from them.
I remember when I was a child, people who visited Oman, always praised Omanis for being nice, smiley and hospitable people. Although I had felt that was true then, I don't feel it's the case today, even if we still hear people saying how nice we are.
When I go out, there is hardly anyone smiling, at least not many to foreigners. I think even foreigners look surprised and excited when we do smile back. I hope my fellow Omanis go back to their nature and maintain their smiles, because I don't want anyone visiting to feel unwelcomed. I do so detest discourteous behaviour.
What Are Random Things That Make You Smile?
There are a lot of things that put a smile on my face but I'll just list those that I can think of at the moment:
To celebrate this day, why not try doing things that make you smile!
About Today:
It's a great initiative that Harvey Ball - the commerical artist who created the smiley face back in 1963 - established for the purpose of spreading love through acts of kindness, starting with something as simple as a smile.
Smiling, in any culture, is percieved as a sign of friendliness. In Islam for instance, we view it as the smallest, most effortless charity you can give and our Prophet - peace be upon him - highly encouraged it:
"Smiling in your brother's face is an act of charity"
تبسمك في وجه أخيك صدقة
____
Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)
In Christianity, smiling is seen as something that brings joy:
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart"
____
Proverbs 15:30
"Receive every person with a pleasant countenance"
____
____
Chapters of the Fathers 1:15
So we can agree, it is a universal belief that smiling, as basic as it is, is a fundamental bond between people and a great factor in spreading happiness.
It is no coincidence that many religions promote smiling and that is that with the joy it may bring, there are health benefits as well, such as:
- Mood Impovement
- Stress Relief
This health benefit reminded me of Smile by Charlie Chaplin:
Smile though your heart is aching.
Smile even though it's breaking.
When there are clouds in the sky
you'll get by
Smile even though it's breaking.
When there are clouds in the sky
you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you
____
Smile by Charlie Chaplin
This song, instead of making me smile, actually makes me depressed, but I love posting dramatic junk like that hehe
- Longevity
What Is The "Smiliest" Country You Ever Visited?
I think the best example of "smiley" people I had witnessed, are Austrians. In all my life I've never met a kinder people. Always smiling and helping out everyone around. I have great respect and admiration for their joyful and welcoming attitude, which would have made staying in a foriegn country a lot harder without. I hope that people around the world would learn from them.
I remember when I was a child, people who visited Oman, always praised Omanis for being nice, smiley and hospitable people. Although I had felt that was true then, I don't feel it's the case today, even if we still hear people saying how nice we are.
When I go out, there is hardly anyone smiling, at least not many to foreigners. I think even foreigners look surprised and excited when we do smile back. I hope my fellow Omanis go back to their nature and maintain their smiles, because I don't want anyone visiting to feel unwelcomed. I do so detest discourteous behaviour.
What Are Random Things That Make You Smile?
There are a lot of things that put a smile on my face but I'll just list those that I can think of at the moment:
- Waking up early
- Hearing birds chirping outside my window
- Looking at random pictures of babies
- Drinking some glorious tea
- Getting a message from someone saying they thought about me when they saw a picture or read a certain article
- Making people smile
- Praying on time (It can make me smile all day)
To celebrate this day, why not try doing things that make you smile!
This is the first time listening (actually reading) Charlie Chaplin’s Smile and not feeling glum...probably from reading everything you wrote above it...it bought a smile to my face. It finally feels like an encouraging song rather than a depressing one. I really needed that right now.
ReplyDeleteAustrians are definitely one of the cheerful and light-hearted people I’ve ever seen...if not the most!
Although people tend to differ, I really think the English are quite nice, and they’ve always been smiley...at-least to me.
Things that make me smile?
- watching old film when it’s raining outside.
- tea time.
- the sound of a piano playing in a hotel lobby or restaurant.
- helping others.
- feeling cold.
The pictures and videos of babies actually make me cry more than smile, because I want one badly...heheh.
Hehehe I’m so happy you see the song in a different light now.
DeleteI agree the English are one of the nicest people.
All the things on your list make me smile too hehe
The baby pictures make me smile but read the lyrics to the smile song again and you’ll understand what’s behind that smile hahahahaha
Soon insha’Allah sis!
Hahaha!!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way. All the things on your list make me smile too...I just didn’t add them because I didn’t want my answers to be the same...hahah!