Smiling is one of those things that we all do, even if some smile too much and others too infrequently for their own good. As our society has progressed, though, there seems to be fewer and fewer genuine smiles. Technology, I can honestly say, is directly responsible for this. For one, too many people are looking down at their phones instead of ahead at passersby. And just as bad, social media has promoted the fake smile, posing for cameras to have the “perfect smile” instead of a genuine smile. I realize a decent chunk of people don’t really care about this. I mean, the ones that don’t care are typically those who are engrossed in their own world. But it’s still one of those things that I think people should realize is changing them for the worse. I say this because smiling is a huge mood booster when you properly register someone else smiling. It’s chemically designed to increase the flow of endorphins within your brain, making you feel happier when you smile and someone smiles back. That’s why human contact shouldn’t be neglected on the daily. Obviously, we have our family and close friends to talk to and see everyday. But sometimes that’s not enough. Interacting with a stranger can make us feel adventurous, unique, and confident in ourselves, even if it’s just a simple smile with someone passing by. Think about the branding opportunities that have been seized by companies who plastered a type of smile on their cardboard boxes within stores or shipping on the go. It’s a recognizable symbol of happiness. And ultimately, people want to buy things that make them feel happy. So, whether or not it’s on cardboard boxes or your face, a smile is contagious and super beneficial to humanity. The next time you’re walking along downtown, try to keep your phone away from your hands and just observe people. Observe the buildings and trees. Take it in and just smile. You’ll feel much better about where you live or work. Others will likely notice you and smile too. For the betterment of our own tech-obsessed culture, try to be the model that many people fail to truly see. A genuine smile, confident air, and open and observant nature may just land you a date with your future spouse or a meeting with the dream job you always wish you had. Just keep your eyes forward and take in everything.
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