Beauty Secrets

If you are like most women today you want to be beautiful.  And yes, I’m talking about external beauty.  The culture around us lures us to believe that this is of utmost importance and that we must be at the top of our game. 

I admit I get sucked into this notion all to often…new clothes, new eye creams, better make-up application, skinnier jeans, you know the drill…what can I do to look better?  Its hard to hide from, its around every corner, this nudging to be beautiful.  I began to realize that if I believe the truth that guides my life is found in God’s word then surely the best kept secrets are there.  Lets find them.

Last month I travelled with the Trinity Lutheran Middle School volleyball team to Bremerton, Wa. for a tournament.  There were 16 schools participating and our team ended up coming in 5th.  We all had such a great time but when we lost our first game, I saw something that I think was key to their lose.  They weren’t smiling.  They had lost their smiles somewhere during that game, or maybe they didn’t bring them with them to the court but they were gone.

Smiling changes things. 

A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day. Proverbs 15:13 The Message

I shared with the girls that smiling changes everything.  When you smile while making a sales call you are more apt to come across as cheerful, happy, nice, trustworthy.  Smiling is important because the smile on the outside changes you on the inside.  It changes how you think and how you speak and might I say, how you play volleyball.

“When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them” Job 29:24

Smiling changes the people around you.  Even in volleyball.  When your team mates look you in the eye and smile after you missed the ball, the light of their face is precious to you.  You remember you are a team and that what is important is working together and persevering and having fun.  People around you smile more when you are smiling.

“If I say “I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile” Job 9:27

You forget some of your complaints when you smile.  When I’m in a funk, I look around and find things to smile about.  The beauty of the fall leaves, the funny thing my daughter said last night, how kind my husband is, the silly dog that brings more toys into the living room then any other member of our household.  When the smile comes my day turns around.  Sometimes I’ll smile just because I know it changes me on the inside.  Its magical.

Beauty secret number 1: Smile More

1. Smiling makes us attractive

2. Smiling changes our mood

3. Smiling is contagious

4. Smiling relieves stress

5. Smiling boosts your immune system

6. Smiling lowers your blood pressure

7. Smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers and Serotonin

8. Smiling lifts the face and makes you look younger

9. Smiling makes you seem successful

10. Smiling helps you stay positive