Positivity TM Power

At the National Speakers Association convention in Atlanta last month, I was awarded the CSP - Certified Speaking Professional. When I’m speechless, you know it’s a big deal! (fewer than 8% of speakers earn this designation) I’ve since learned that the initials CSP can stand for a number of things - like the Colorado State Patrol for example! With this comically in mind, I decided we can all be CSPs - when we Choose to Stay Positive. Now, I know that’s not so easy to do these days when the media bombards us with negativity (or when the officer is writing you the ticket!) Yet when we remember that we cannot change the situation, we can only change our reaction to it, we can CSP, Choose to Stay Positive. And one of the best ways to do that is to smile. That’s right, SMILE. Even when you don’t feel like it. Now, I’m not usually one who ascribes to the “fake it ‘til you make it” philosophy—except when it comes to positivity and smiling.

Social psychology research points to a real link between facial expressions and emotions. We all know that facial expressions reflect our inner feelings, but their findings show that changing our facial expressions can help change our feelings too. Studies suggest it is impossible to feel angry while smiling…and that smiling produces the emotion most closely related to it - happiness!

Past E-sips shared scientific studies proving a correlation between humor and immune system benefits.* Now studies confirm that smiling benefits too. Smiling relieves stress, lowers the heart rate, and produces less rapid breathing. More research verifies that people react more positively to someone who is smiling…they are more compliant, generous, and kind. Wouldn’t we love to have others respond to us that way more often? (Especially officers of the Colorado State Patrol)

So the next time someone cuts you off in traffic, or the dog throws up on the carpet, or your coworker does less than his/her share, SMILE! Instead of cussing with clenched fists, smacking the dog, or grumbling behind his/her back, remember, you can’t change the situation, only your reaction to it. So, SMILE and Choose to Stay Positive. The more you smile, the better you - and the world - will feel.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. - Mark Twain