Smiles and Laughter

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration

No jewel in the world can match the radiance of joy reflected in a  happy smiling face.

Let your smiles and laughter be only a means of merriment, joy and happiness.  It must never be used as a device to humiliate or ridicule others. That would be selfish and mean. Neither must your smiles and laughter be a means to conceal your shyness or nervousness. That would be stupid. Smile and Laughter are indeed good for the mind, body, heart and soul.

You can not think negative thoughts for long, while you are smiling or laughing.

Laughter is said to be the best medicine. When you are faced with worries and problems, laughter can provide you with the necessary relaxation and diversion you would need at the time, to regroup your mental and physical resources.

A Smile is infectious and so is laughter. We feel happier, relaxed and free of tension when we smile or laugh.

There is a lot of wisdom in the following words :-

“Laugh it off and sleep over it”

“Smile and it will wash the wrinkles away”

Try it! It is not always easy to smile in the face of adversity, but it can be done. The real benefits will be seen if we can make smiling and laughing a habit.

In todays day and age a much needed habit !

Now its your turn. Have You made smiling and laughing a habit. in your everyday life?

If yes, Yay and Joy to YOU!

If no, then no time like the present to start right….SMILE 🙂

with love Zeenat


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67 thoughts on “Smiles and Laughter”

  2. Laughter rocks! 🙂 How can you be tense when you are brimming with giggles and fun? You can’t. It’s the same thing with whistling. You can’t whistle if you’re grinning. It’s impossible! I guess different things make different people laugh. Sense of humour is subjective. But regardless of that, there really is nothing quite like a good giggle.

    1. smiling outwardly is a surefire way of spreading joy…smiling inwardly is a clear path to boosting inner peace as well…

      thank goodness there is no such thing as a vaccine to prevent infectious laughter…that’s a bug our immune systems are happy to be overloaded with!

      What a gorgeous baby Zeenat…that sweet image brought an immediate smile to my face ; )

      1. Hi Laura,
        I hope they never come up with a vaccine for smiling…my god it would be a dull world!!
        That pic just drew me ina nd made me smile so wide…it just had to go with this post. I am glad you liked it 🙂

    2. Hi Uplift antidote,
      Nothing quite like a good giggle eh.. I completely agree. I know there are times when we(my hubby and I ) can start giggling about something…and then well it doesnt stop….even the most serious stuff cannot stop us then 😉
      Thank you for your wonderfully giggly comment 🙂

  3. Hi Z
    Laughing rocks and is indeed infectious. Lance made a video once where he went up to strangers laughing and most could not help themselves but join in.
    So instead of pills, we can just laugh and stay and become healthy.
    That is what I so love about young children, they so make me smile and laugh with their antics.
    That is why I so love Ann-Marie’s Molly and I am sure I would love to see your precious little one if you were close by AND you of course.
    Smiles and lots of laughter to you, Wilma xox

    1. Wilma,
      Thanks so much for remembering that video! I’m thinking of that day again now, after reading your words – and how fully fun and joy-filled that whole day was – well after we had done our laughter – athon! You are sweet and kind, wonderful friend!

    2. Hi Wilma,
      I didnt catch that Lance Guy video…I am going to dig through his archives and find it for sure. I can imagine how i missed it…hmmm
      And youre so right about our precious kids….they can induce smiles and laughter int he dullest of situations. I usually just play with my little one when my moods are drifting..and then instantly am back to my giggly self 🙂
      Much Love to you 🙂

  4. Zeenat,
    Laughing is something I very much enjoy, and hope that I am bringing into the world. I know there are moments when I could certainly use a little extra laughter or even a smile…and I don’t…and it’s not a good feeling. Mostly, though, I try to live my life with a lightness to it…

    So good to read this today. We’ve had a fun day with a bunch of laughs at home – and then seeing this…it’s what was most definitely “right” in this day at our house.

    Keep shining your infectious joy!

    1. Hi Lance,
      I am in full over drive to go and get your laughathon video…..:)
      Laughing and keeping it ligh..hmm seems like the best formula for happiness and a happy household 🙂 Just like Jonathan(above) said he enjoys at his home….
      Thank you for keeping my joy alive always 🙂

  7. When I was a teenager, I didn’t smile much. I worked at a movie theater, and every once in awhile someone would say, “Smile, it’s not that bad.” I wanted to throttle them! I’d think, “What do they know about how good or bad things are?” And then I’d go back to not smiling.

    These days I smile and laugh like it’s my job, and you’re right, both feel really good. It’s like embracing my insides and expressing that embrace on the outside in a bright and beaming way.

    So now I’m smiling at YOU, Zeenat! Have a blessed and fun day!

    1. Hi My Joyful Angel,
      I cannot imagine a time when YOU didnt smile…ny god it seems like it isnt possible….that was probably another dimension hmm…
      Well, since youre smiling like its your job…I will Pay you in kind for it..by smiling back in millions…and for a bonus i will add a few giggles and chuckles for my little daughter as well 🙂 So what say..you keep doing your job..and I keep paying you in kind..hmm??? 😉
      Much Love always
      Z~

  9. Zeenat,

    Nothing quite like smiling to uplift your day and everyone around you. I’ve been blessed with a good smile and folks comment on it all the time. Makes me feel great and I really like the smiles I get in return!

    George

  11. Yes, I laughed one time. As I recall it was a wondrous experience of joy. I will try it again now, just a minute…

    Yes, that was fun!! I like laughing very much. I am going to keep at it. There are so many things to laugh at. And perhaps the most important being oneself?

    Hee hee hee hee. Ha ha ha. Hoo hoo hoo hoo. Ho ho ho!!

    xo

  12. Laughter is free, cheap, universal and accessible to anyone. So on most days when the occasion calls for it, I do have what I call a good laugh from within .Awesome post Z and almost everyone’s Gravatar here is smiling how wonderful 🙂

    1. Fatima,
      What a wonderful observation…all the gravatars are smiling…isnt that just saying so much about smiling to make us all feel better 🙂
      Glad you liked this post 🙂

  13. The purest and the most infectious smile I have witnessed is that of an innocent child. The smile reflected is without any pretensions, only the liberating experience of it. I wish to master to such smile, but it will take time to achieve such a state. As for now I can only manage a brief smile despite the foreboding in my heart. 🙂

    1. Hi Walter,
      What a child smiles its just purity personified…thats the very reason the baby smiling pic just seemed to fit this post like a glove 🙂
      And even your brief smile if from the heart is already healing 🙂 So smile on!

  14. ***smiles*** to you Zeenat for posting this.

    I LOVE the photo you’ve included. It’s precious.

    I agree, smiles add to our face value. And I like how when you smile at someone, chances are, they will smile back. It’s a win-win. 😉

    1. HI Barbara,
      Smile to you for leavening such a gorgeous comment 🙂
      Smiling is a great mood enhancer…and a win win is really an awesome way of putting it ! Only my darling blogging teach could think of that 😉

  15. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Laughter makes the world turn! It’s true that smiling and laughter can motivate people and make them realise how down they feel – by making them feel happier.

    Apparently, to maintain a happy lifestyle, a person needs to laugh at least 12 times a day. How many times have you laughed today?!

    1. Hi James,
      I never knew that fact…12 times you say….hmmm…how would 20 times work??…cause i think i can about count 20…but it could be a wee more…hmm….I am so bad with numbers 😉
      Thank you for your awesome comment 🙂

  16. Peggy Nolan

    Hi Z!

    The power of a smile…the power of laughter…the power to find the upside to a downside situation.

    Giggles – now that my granddaughter is almost 7 months old, her giggle is an absolute joy to listen to.

    Laughing – the deep belly laugh that resonnates inside your soul, cleansing away the most hurtful hurts. Even just the memory of that kind of laugh washes me clean.

    Smiling – I’ve learned to bring the power of a smile into my yoga classes. I invite my student to raise the corners of their mouth to their ears and to invite their smile into every fiber and cell of their being.

    🙂 🙂 🙂

    xo
    Peggy

    1. Peggy darling,
      You talk like a giggling laughing smiling maestro 😉 Your definition of each of these expressions are so beautiful.
      I especially love how you talk about your 7 month old granddaughter giggling…arent they just precious. My little one is goign to be 3 but still has the most precious smile…all my anger towards her spilling or breaking anything just melts away 🙂
      xoxo~

    1. Hi Erin,
      It does feel awesome to laugh and smile doesnt it …. I think we should all just leave are serious minds in the freezer and just laugh away…Joyful life that would surely be!
      Blessings and joy to you too 🙂

  18. Hi Z! You are soooo right! Laughter and smiles – daily – like a vitamin for the heart and soul! You know what will snap me out of a dreary or negative wave is singing! And it usually gets so bad (my singing) that I end up laughing! Hey, whatever works!

    Hugs and giggles
    suZen

    1. Darling Suzen,
      Singing laughter is the best kind of laughter there is…!! Really….didnt you know ??;) hmmm….but now that you do..singingly laugh on 🙂
      Hugs and giggles to you too my dear 🙂

  19. Avani

    Hi Zeenat,

    Starting each morning with laughter and smile is the best gift one can give to oneself.

    Your post reminded me of a wonderful poem on power of smile. Here it goes …

    “Smiling is infectious,

    you catch it like the flu,

    When someone smiled at me today,

    I started smiling too.

    I passed around the corner

    and someone saw my grin

    When he smiled I realized

    I’d passed it on to him.

    I thought about that smile

    then I realized its worth,

    A single smile, just like mine

    could travel round the earth.

    So, if you feel a smile begin,

    don’t leave it undetected

    Let’s start an epidemic quick,

    and get the world infected!

    Everyone needs a smile!”

    1. Hi Avani,
      I so love that poem. It just gives this post new meaning. I have always said it ..ad will say it again..you really do add such a beautiful touch to my posts always. Ahh…we have got to be souls sisters for sure to be able to do something like that 🙂
      I Missed you while you were gone 🙂 So glad you stopped by to leave your wonderful thoughts and poems on this 🙂
      Much Love~

    1. Hi deepa,
      I am glad a smiling person came over to my blog and smiled too 🙂
      And my dear which part of the world are you living in where people seldom smile../??? I would really want to know…i might make it my new project to come there and spread some happiness 🙂
      Glad you liked the post..and thank you for your beautiful comment 🙂

  23. Zeenat — Happy New Year!

    Your site makes me smile. I love coming here because it always makes me feel good. Everything about this site is happy — you, your words, the colors, the quotes, the pictures…and so much more.

    I love to laugh and it has pulled me through some really difficult times. I feel being able to see the humor in a crisis is a gift. Fortunately for me, my boyfriend is wonderful at making me laugh. Even when I’m feeling like the world is out to get me, he will say something that makes me lighten up. And I think I can do the same for him.

    BTW thanks to Avani for sharing that wonderful poem! I read it aloud to myself and it’s so great. I copied it so I can read again and again:~)

    1. Hi Sara,
      Aren’t you a lucky gal to have such a wonderful partner…we are both lucky that way 😉
      And Avani poem is just wonderful na..it just adds so perfectly to this post.
      Thank you fro al your beautiful compliments ont eh site…me blushing 🙂
      Happy New year to you too Sara! 🙂

  24. Oh yes, I’m smiling at this very moment. 🙂 Laughter is the best medicine. I used to be told to smile at myself the moment when I look in the mirror, every morning. It does perk up my spirit and determination to have a good day. Amazing how a smile can be such an encouragement to others and ourselves.

    Continue to shine, Zeenat! Have a blessed day.

    @wchingya
    Social/Blogging Tracker

    1. Hi Ching Ya,
      You have just shared such a powerful self affirmation technique…smiling at yourself in the mirror every morning. It does truly work wonders.
      Glad you liked this post 🙂
      Much Love~

  25. So right Zeenat! In fact I’m laughing right now! lol

    Unfortunately this modern culture I live in says that the norm of our society is strictly walking outside with a straight face.

    Sometimes I would like to smile and laugh for no reason, but it really just feel like I am breaking some sort of societal rule for self expression.

    Let’s hope that one day laughter is greatly promoted, social interaction is greatly promoted, and smiling at others is always the case.

    Thanks for this reminder :D:D

    1. Steven,
      I seriously need to make it a project to spread the smile in all the places where people are not smiling…hmm….project smiling is going on in my head now…see what your comments do….hmmm…ok me thinking lots and lots ….. 😉
      Glad you could come here and smile….you can come here and smile anytime…infact i would prefer it that you come here and smile always 🙂 Will add to the value of my posts for sure 🙂

  26. anjugandhi

    I do believe in power of laughter. a smile can take away thousands of miseries and give strength to face all the odds in the world.
    I believe whether you cry or laugh the problems are going to remain there. so why not laugh and face them
    choice is on every individual

    1. Hi Anju,
      I love that awesome attitude you have ! Youre so right you know..we are going to face ups and downs in life…why not face them with a smile….
      Lovely comment thank you 🙂

  28. Zee,
    I have two small kids who laugh at just about anything. That big, contagious laugh coming from the belly. I just love it and it makes me laugh more.
    Positive thoughts, no complaining, laughing and smiling more – it all makes life more fun.
    Thanks
    M

    1. HI Mindful Mimi,
      I have an almost 3 yr old daughter too..and she does the same thing. Arent kids just wonderful…we have got to learn a thing of two of life from these little bundles of joy hmm… 🙂
      Thank you fro your awesome comment 🙂

  29. Dear sweet Z, We laugh in this house EVERY day, whenever we are together, we even sometimes laugh while we are crying, I could not go an day without laughing. We think of it as so simple and yet it is HUUUUUGE and can heal and soothe. I read of a woman who healed herself through laughter. In India they have laughter groups just because they already know just HOW healing they are. People meet every morning or day to simply laugh together, not through jokes just laughing and once they get going they can hardly stop. I LOVE that. I also love YOU and how you bring these seemingly simple things right up to the fore of our lives, because they are simple….YET POWERFUL. Bless you dear sweetness. You are such a pure joy. Much love, Robin

    1. Hi Dearest Robin,
      My souls sister…what a pleasure ti is to read your beautiful words as always 🙂
      You know….many times these simple things are ignored by us..cause we are so complex in our heads with all things evolved that we forget the simplest things in life are the source of our pure and eternal JOY!
      This post is my little way of bringing magic(hopefully) into our ordinary much ignored activities.
      I am so glad its working 🙂
      Thank you for always being my source of pure joy!
      Much Love always~

    1. Hi Nea,
      Youre so right…the shine that emits from the pure genuine smile can never be compared with all the riches in the world 🙂
      Glad you liked this post 🙂

  31. Kamran Elahi

    A wonderful picture forced me to laugh while I was tensed. Thumbs up for Zeenat 🙂
    Invest little smile for others and get the whole happy life as a bonus.

  32. Well done,

    laughing is a wonderful exercise that makes man handsome and makes women beautiful,
    Nice post, i thing your secret of beauty must be definitely your smile

    Keep continuing

    Niuluka.

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