Smile!

Smile!

20 Ways to Change Your Story

11. Smile!

Healthy_Smiling_TeethIf you want to change your story for the better, SMILE!

Try a little experiment with me right now. Put a smile on your face – one that reaches your eyes – and hold it there for 30 seconds or more.

One thousand 30, one thousand 29, one thousand 28, one thousand 27 . . . one thousand 3, one thousand 2, one thousand 1. And, done.

Tell me you didn’t feel a difference inside of you. Tell me your mood didn’t lift even the tiniest bit.

Unless you were already smiling and laughing as you opened this post to read, I can guarantee that you did experience a mood lift.

Why? Brain chemistry. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between a “real” smile and a “fake” smile. The same chemical reactions are triggered either way – a flood of dopamine, seratonin and endorphins are released into your system each time you raise the corners of your mouth into a smile.

It’s a free rush of joy, even when there’s nothing particularly joyful going on in your life at the moment.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Okay, you may be thinking, there’s a temporary boost – but how does that change my story over the long haul? Can it really change anything fundamental about my life?

Let me count (some of) the ways . . .

So, go on, smile! Smile at the people you meet and smile when you’re all alone.

If you’re finding it hard to force a smile, watch a funny movie, go to a comedy club, take a laughter yoga class or hang out with other smiling people.

Because smiling is contagious and it will change your story for the better.

Here’s a wonderful little TED talk on the superpower of smiling. Enjoy!

~~~~~

This is the 12th post in a 21-post series sparked by Chapter 9 of Fallen, The Adventures of a Deep Water Leaf, in which Lizard suggests that Alora change her story.

#20WaysIn20Days, #ChangeYourStory, #Fallen

 

Save

Save

Consult the Experts

Consult the Experts

20 Ways to Change Your Story

10. Consult the Experts

One sure-fire way to inject new life into your story is to consult with the experts about the places where you’re stuck and to get their guidance and advice for moving forward.

And I’m not talking about doctors, therapists, coaches or people who are successfully living the story you’d like to be living, even though those are definitely valuable resources and you will benefit from calling on them as needed.

What if I told you that you have a whole team of experts, 100% devoted to you?

Their services are free of charge and literally at your fingertips 24/7.

I’m talking about your Inner Experts, a team which includes your
Inner Experts

  • Higher Self
  • Future Self
  • Inner Child
  • Body & Body Parts

as well as specialists such as your

  • Inner Nurturer
  • Inner Protector
  • Inner Einstein
  • Inner Spiritual Advisor
  • Inner Business Coach
  • Inner Organizer
  • Inner Millionaire
  • etc.

These experts are ready and waiting to hear from you. You can bring any question or struggle to them and access their wisdom any time you choose. They want only one thing in return and that is your love and attention.

They want to be recognized and appreciated.

A great way to access this bounty of inner wisdom is by carrying out a dialogue with the inner expert of your choice.

You can do this by quieting your mind and getting into a meditative state. Invite a specific inner expert to have a conversation with you, or state your intention to get help with your specific need or desire and invite whichever inner expert who’d like to offer that help to join you.

Now, once you become adept at this, you may be able to carry on this dialogue in your head or through automatic writing. It’s often easier, particularly in the beginning, to use a form of written dialogue using both hands to write.

JournalingStart by writing down you current concern. What is it you want guidance, advice, help or direction about? You may even want to draw a little picture of the situation.

Now, ask your inner expert questions by writing them down with your dominant hand (the hand you normally write with). Then let the inner expert answer through your non-dominant hand (the one you don’t normally write with). You may be astounded at the answers that come through.

Here are some useful questions to get the dialogue going:

  • Who (or what) are you?
  • How do you feel?
  • Why do you feel this way?
  • What can I do for you? (or what do you need from me?)
  • Is there anything else you’d like me to know?

You can always ask other questions as well – whatever you’d like to know. Remember, this is YOU asking and the inner expert answering.

When you have completed your dialogue, remember to thank the inner expert for talking to you. And honor the requests it made of you or the suggestions it gave you. The more love, attention and appreciation you give to your inner experts, the more willing they will be to share their wisdom with you.

Let’s say you are experiencing some neck pain. Here’s an example dialogue to illustrate the process.

Current Concern: My neck has really been bothering me for a few days now. I don’t know what’s causing it or how to stop the pain and stiffness I’m feeling.

OuchieGrouchieDominant Hand (DH): Dear Pain-In-The-Neck, who or what are you?

Non-Dominant Hand (NDH): I am Ouchie. Ouchie Grouchie.

DH: How do you feel?

NDH: Cramped and tight and angry.

DH: Why do you feel this way?

NDH: Because you ignore me. You spend all day on the computer leaning forward so I have to hold your big head up awkwardly. Every day this happens! I’m sick and tired of it.

DH: What can I do for you?

NDH: Get up and stretch. Walk around. Don’t sit so long. And don’t lean forward all the time. Sit back with your back on the chair. Give me some support. Give me a break!

DH: Is there anything else you’d like me to know?

NDH: A nice cool ice pack would feel really good right now.

DH: Thank you, Ouchie Grouchie. I can see that I haven’t been treating my neck very well. I promise not to sit for more than an hour at a time without getting up to walk around and stretch. And I will remember to sit back and to let the chair back help you to support my head. Now, let’s go get that ice pack.

~~~~~

This is the 11th post in a 21-post series sparked by Chapter 9 of Fallen, The Adventures of a Deep Water Leaf, in which Lizard suggests that Alora change her story.

#20WaysIn20Days, #ChangeYourStory, #Fallen