A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Proverbs 15:30 NLT

One of the hardest things about my first husband’s illness (FSHD – Facioscapularhumeral dystrophy) was that it affected the muscles of his face making it hard for him to smile. The other day, as I was looking at some old pictures I started to smile because it brought back memories of when I first met Bill. We were both in the same Greek class at L.I.F.E. Bible College (Now Life Pacific College). I remember two things – his smile and the little drawings on gum wrappers. I have long since lost the works of art on the gum wrappers yet will always remember his smile.

During the last two years of his life Bill had to use a mask for the ventilator that did the breathing for him because his diaphragm had failed. That was when he relied on his little white board and marker to express how he felt. Emoji’s were a blessing because they were able to express his smiles even though he physically could no longer smile.

One of the greatest lessons Bill taught me was gratitude for the choices I have. Most people do not realize how powerful those choices are until they are around someone who can no longer make them. His mouth may not have been able to form a smile but his eyes expressed so much.

Active Self Nurture

Use your smile muscles
The choice to lift the sides of your mouth can actually make you feel better. Researchers believe that activating a specific set of muscles in the face connects you to greater happiness and joy. When you choose to smile, you signal the emotional centers of your brain that all is well. Here’s where hope comes in. This scripture says that the cheerful look brings joy. When you trust God’s good plans for your life you can smile and mean it.

Keep your thoughts focused on the positive side
It’s not enough to simply paste on a fake smile. When you are feeling discouraged, start thinking about all the things that bring you joy. Gratitude produces genuine smiles. As a caregiver, you no doubt experience a great deal of stress. It can be easy to start focusing on all that you do not control. Instead, release the burdens to the Lord and find what brings you joy.

Live longer
Research has shown that those who smile actually live longer than those who do not smile. This was fun research with a baseball team in a yearbook. Those with big smiles lived 7 (seven) years longer than those who did not.

Improve your mood
Did you know that putting chop sticks in your mouth to resemble a smile will help you to be in a better mood? This experiment was done with some unhappy folks who actually ended up being in a better mood. Try it and let us know how it works when you are having a bad day.

Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for all Your blessings and for providing all that I need just when I need it the most. At times, the burden of caregiving seems too great and it can be hard to smile. It is right there that I choose to look up and smile. I know you will take care of the rest.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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