Friday, May 30
- Scripture: Psalm 96:11-12 – “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.”
- Reflection: We are designed to experience and share joy and delight.
Do you know how many muscles are involved in a smile? Estimates vary, but several reports estimate at least 10-13 facial muscles contract when you smile, though more may be involved. Smiling requires fewer facial muscles than frowning; it’s easier to do. The act of smiling also offers psychological and physical health benefits.
One articles reports, “A smile begins in our sensory corridors … emotional data funnels to the brain, exciting the left anterior temporal region in particular, then smolders to the surface of the face, where two muscles, standing at attention, are roused into action: The zygomatic major, which resides in the cheek, tugs the lips upward, and the orbicularis oculi, which encircles the eye socket, squeezes the outside corners into the shape of a crow’s foot. The entire event is short — typically lasting from two-thirds of a second to four seconds — and those who witness it often respond by mirroring the action, and smiling back. Other muscles can simulate a smile, but only the peculiar tango of the zygomatic major and the orbicularis oculi produces a genuine expression of positive emotion. Psychologists call this the “Duchenne smile,” and most consider it the sole indicator of true enjoyment.” (full reference: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/the-psychological-study-of-smiling). The correlations between people who often smile with an authentic ‘Duchenne smile’ and health benefits include longer life spans, greater mental health and wellbeing, and other positive socio-emotional factors.
One study determined that there are ‘nineteen different kinds of smiles, and a UC-San Francisco researcher divided them into two groups; sincerely felt smiles and polite social smiles.’ The same article reported that about 30% of adult will smile an average of about 20 times in one day. By contrast, children smile an average of 400 times a day. We can learn from children, starting with sincere smiles! (Full reference:https://thefacialcenter.com/p/BLOG-87970-2021.10.25-Statistics-About-Smiling-and-Happiness-p.asp?fc=1)
Rejoice and celebrate, beginning with the act of smiling. - Spiritual Practice Prompt: Smile at yourself in the mirror. For real. Then during the day, smile (for real) at others. How often does it come back to you, reflected in others’ facial expressions? How does it help your mood?
Song:
- Smile by Nat King Cole: https://youtu.be/xyHoohNyYkw?si=l49ogYUZ9em97gXQ
- Smile by Morgan Wallen: https://youtu.be/F7KdQ8CTe5E?si=9Uc8ZXhoFfRroAIg
- Smile by Michael Buble: https://youtu.be/cyRO5xy74Pw?si=R1yqT3gm9ubJSoG5
- Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars: https://youtu.be/kPa7bsKwL-c?si=7E-b5D7Xa8ngbvhH
Smile. It’s the second-best thing you can do with your lips. — Jill Shalvis
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. — Phyllis Diller
May 30 Spring Devotional