You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

This past fall, my 8-year-old daughter, Keegan, was in the play Annie.

It’s amazing to me that this play has been around for so long, right?! I think the original movie the play is based on dates back to the 1930s.

And I think I have an idea of one reason this story has such staying power.

One of the main themes throughout this age-old tale, about a girl who dreams of finding her forever family, is wonderfully simplistic.

It’s this: SMILE.

The basic premise of the movie, turned play, turned movie (haha, did anyone else LOVE the Jamie Foxx & Cameron Diaz rendition that came out in 2014?!), is that Annie lives in an orphanage because her parents had to leave her there as a baby. She keeps up her spirits, and those of the other girls around her, through persistent dreams that her parents are alive and well and will come back for her one day. In reality, though, they passed away long ago. In the end, Annie is adopted by a wealthy man who fulfills her childhood desire of belonging in a family.

Did I do it justice?

In any case, here’s where the smiling comes in.

Since the story of Annie is a musical, there are multiple songs which help the audience connect to and understand her emotional journey. And since she’s a child, an optimistic one at that, there’s a pivotal song in her storyline which goes: “When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely, I just stick up my chin and grin and say… The sun'll come out tomorrow, so you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow. Come what may!”

Did you catch that? The grinning part?

Her musical adventure then takes us to another song which also includes, you guessed it, smiling, saying, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.”

Ahhhhh, the undeniable and transformative power of a smile.

Did you know that we are all born with the ability to smile, but as we get older, we smile less and less often. GAH! How sad is that?!

In fact, research tells us that on average:

• Kids smile 400 times a day
• A happy adult smiles 40-50 times a day
• A typical adult only smiles 20 times a day

Now, I’m not exactly sure what qualifies a “happy adult” over a “typical adult” (that may require another devotional entirely, haha) but either way, even smiling just 40-50 times a day compared to 400 as a child seems… sad.

And 20 times a day?!

Ugh. Don’t get me started.

These numbers definitely made me stop and wonder how many times a day I smile. And if you know me at all, you’re probably guessing it’s more than average, haha. And I think you’re right!

I LOVE smiling. In fact, it’s something I prescribe often to my coaching clients, church members, family, and friends.

And by prescribe, I mean just that. Telling people who are struggling - with anxiety, restlessness, doubt, negativity, loss, you name it - to start their day looking in the mirror smiling. Yes, it feels silly at first… BUT!

But, but, but, my friends! Smiling doesn’t only help transform your current mood; there are also scientific benefits such as:

• Reduced blood pressure
• Increased endurance
• Reduced pain
• Reduced stress
• Strengthened immune system

Studies go on to show “that people who smile appear more likeable, courteous and competent.” And that “smilers tend to be more productive at work and make more money.”*

I mean, I’m smiling now just thinking about the possibilities of smiling more! Also, I think it’s at least my 188th smile for the day, heehee.

Just like the fictional character Annie knew that smiling was a key component to her well-being in an orphanage all those years ago, God also reminds us throughout scripture that smiling is His design and meant for our good. I love how the Bible speaks interchangeably about happiness, joy, laughter, and shining faces, because I think it’s all a way to convey the importance of a smile.

And for good measure today, here’s one of my favorite passages about God’s smiling down on us:

“God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper.”

- Numbers 6:24 - 26 (MSG)

My friends, I know we’ve got lots of things to NOT smile about today.

BUT.

What if, instead, you simply put on a smile. I dare you. Try it out right now and see what happens from there.

Love you!

*Research and quotes from the Henry Ford Health article called Surprising Health Benefits Of Smiling

Kyle Moss

‍