“Smiling helps us feel connected - be connected - like the roots joining the tree trunk." - from "Roots" in The Twelve Gifts from the Garden

Smiling offers so many benefits, it's like a vitamin. Vitamin S. Nurturing body, mind, and spirit health, it's a vitamin we all need. Among the benefits: Smiling helps us feel connected and be connected.

But during the past year, we've seen fewer smiles. Perhaps we've given fewer smiles. So we've missed out on both the giving and receiving side of smiling.

While we continue to wear masks and beyond, for the good of all, let's smile more often and more warmly than ever, with smiles that reach our eyes. Our lips may be concealed but others will recognize our smiling eyes. If we're wearing sunglasses, we can remove them for a moment. 

It's a seemingly small thing, a smile. It costs nothing. But one smile often triggers another and another. One smile can travel far and wide, touching many lives. So let's smile.  

With love, 
Charlene

PS - Smiling can also improve mood, relieve pain, lower blood pressure, boost immunity, lessen stress, and increase likeabilty. Smiles help us to think positively and be happy. They make us appear younger and more confident too. Smiling nurtures relationship health and the bonds among us, which strengthens our rootedness.