Just like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, who waits patiently on a branch high up in a tree for an unsuspecting passerby — “Some go this way…Some go that way” — I, too, am grinning from ear to ear, but not in a mischievous way.
Why?
Because of A Word in Your Ear’s latest A Word-a-Week Photo Challenge. And, it’s a good one.
SMILE.
Shall we get this “tea party” started?
The smile — big or small, wide or thin — is easily the most recognized and acceptable facial expression.
Singlehandedly, the smile lights up the world as it conveys to our fellow human beings a sense of compassion and understanding, and very well may be the cornerstone of social interaction. It’s as if the smile is Forest Gump encouraging the planet, from his spot on the bus stop bench, to go on and “have a nice day.”
Regardless of language barriers, this singular facial expression can do more in an instant than days, months or even years seated around a United Nations (UN) peace negotiations table — much less a bus stop bench — to present a friendly, warm and sincere means of communication throughout the world.
As the late American comedienne Phyllis Diller once said, “A smile is a curve that has set everything straight.” Come on Ban Ki-moon — Secretary-General of the UN — smile and the whole world will smile with you.
Who among us doesn’t enjoy a good smile, given or received? When we smile, it tells everyone around us that, for the moment, we’re happy.
Smiles come in all shapes and sizes, are mostly spontaneous, but sometimes artificially applied.
The laundry list of adjectives to describe the varied types of smiles includes, but is not limited to: sociable, happy, amusing, winning, shy, sunshiny, sincere, seductive, sarcastic, sinister, sweet, welcoming, winsome, carefree, disarming, happy-go-lucky, dazzling, lovely, friendly, devilish, disarming, beaming, glowing, incandescent, and like our buddy the Cheshire Cat, mischevious.
The smile is part of the aging process, too. As American author-humorist Mark Twain rightly observed, “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” I’ll drink to that, Samuel Clemens.
We even text with a smile — :=) 🙂 :o) :] :3 :c) :=] 8) =) :} :^) :っ) LOL and LMAO — or, drop in an emoticon 🙂 to tell the recipient, “Don’t worry, be happy.
When we smile, we’re actually reacting in a positive way to someone or some thing. Whether it’s a moment in time, an event, a joke, a scene from a movie or TV program, or even the food on your plate (pizza) or in your hand (ice cream), or the liquid in your drink, your sensors are triggered and out pops a smile that you just can’t suppress.
The smile — the curve that sets everything straight — is the (Cheshire) cat’s meow.
©The Palladian Traveler | ©The Palladian Traveler
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Great post to end my day. Thank you so much – I will go to sleep with a smile and a very warm heart.
Glad I could double as a sleeping pill. Thanks for reading/viewing. Nighty-night.
Now, when it put it that way, it doesn’t sound like a compliment. But I did sleep well.
Pat – Don’t take it that way. Appreciate, as always, your kind words.
I was laughing when I typed it. No offence was taken – just enjoying your comment. It was late and I didn’t add the smile. You really do a great job of writing your story to go with your photos. Keep up the good work.
Nice piece Tom. And the little chap certainly brought a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Paul. Is your reference to the “little chap” the baby in the highchair or the Cheshire Cat?
Boy
Both Tom, but particularly the little chap in the highchair. I know how much joy my little grandchildren give me.
Paul – Easy misstake. The “little chap” is a little girl. Hard to tell them apart when they’re that young. Cheers to you and your grandkids.
Great piece Tom! Loved the timing of the Tear in the eye with D’s picture – so perfect. M is adorable too! Hope to meet her some day soon 🙂
Thanks G-Sue. Nat King Cole was “pleading” for that shot of teary-eyed Dario, who wanted to tag along with his dad for the final and black run down the Kronplatz.
You truly have such joy in your life. So wonderful. I love the Cheshire cat. “You can go this-a-way, or you can go that-a-way..”
Thanks Emily. Maybe I should go back in and add that quote from CC that you noted. I’ll ponder it for a moment. 🙂
Ah, Nat King Cole always puts a smile on my face….thank you, a wonderful video and blogpost. That little cutie is the icing on the cake! 8) (I’m trying a new smilie….from your list)
Thanks very much Janina. Which “curve” will you attempt?
My curve? Hadn’t thought about that….perhaps, I’ll just continue on with my sometimes cheekily humorous commenting on others’ blogposts….often that gets the laugh I’d hoped for! 😉
Nice show my friend – smiles are contagious.
Thanks Mike! Managed to sneak in GS, her smile and her candle frame. Both very, very nice.