Linking ourselves to things in life that help us become a mentally healthy person whom others enjoy being around involves many parts of character development. (Read more about life here.)

Manners, personality, caring for others, cleanliness, a system of values and faith, are a few of the life links that connect us all. Smiling can be a habit; we probably can't really measure its benefits entirely. I just know that smiling faces are welcome in my life. If I've learned to be one of them, then I'm more successful than I hoped. Make an effort to smile more often, and you'll find you have more to smile about.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Smile More Often

The ability to smile is a gift to humans, though I swear my dog smiles at me; I've seen a bird or two who made me wonder; and I had a cat for 27 years who not only smiled, but could give you a look that would freeze an elephant. Well, maybe all that's not backed up by research but I know my animals!!

Smiling fills the soul, yours and others. The only time I was irritated by a smile was while I was in labor with my first son. After 18 hours of that fun, my husband had the most irritating grin pasted on his face. I wanted to smack it off, but I was busy giving life. Finally, even the nurse said, "Dad-to-be, would you please take your grin out to the hall, we're working in here." Ha! Served him right. Ok, that was a temporary glitch in our marriage but birth labor hurts.

Chronic Complaining

Now, who wants to be around gloom and doom all the time? You know the ones I'm talking about. Those chronic complaining "friends." They're in every office, by every water fountain and on the front pew of the church; they never have a good thing to say about anyone or anything and they can soak you with their depression quicker than a him-a-caine.

I 've been known to spin in the other direction at mere glance from their direction. No way am I stoppin' by to say "how's your day goin'?" I'm thinking: "Life is tough for everyone; get OVER it; Yada yada yada; give it a break." I have enough reasons to eat chocolate without listening to horror stories of pain.

Bad News Is Everywhere

I'm a sympathetic person by nature (stop it- I am too, you don't know me). But, we have to survive. Bad news is everywhere! Between Chris Dobb on CNN, Keith Doberman (ok, Oberman, SHEEESH), on MSNBC (his only saving grace is he can't stand Bush or Bill O'Reilly which makes him my almost hero) and the slurpiness of "Bush-Limbaugh-worship" from Hannity and Colmes on Fox, I think the world's flipped over to the dark side of the moon. I'm not in love with the Poly-ana types either, so don't go there.

Local TV Channels vs Cable

Still, I'm thinking we could smile a little more. Due to a recent move and the lack of funds for satellite TV at this moment, I've been forced to watch local news. Surprise. Some funny guy on Channel 13 makes me laugh and at 6:00 a.m. that's not easy.

I've been turning on easy listening music in the evenings, reading books, who knows what's next. I think I was humming doing dishes the other night or my dog has learned how to purr. Not hearing about the war and politics 24/7 might be turning me into a kinder, gentler person. Well?? It could.

I'm warning you, I could start smiling all the time. It could spread clear across the street and that old grumpy guy might even smash out a grin. My husband might get frisky and the dog might even give me an extra doggy hug. He gives great hugs for a dach-a-cocka-poo. He's a mixture but we're not pure bred either so it's ok. But keep that to yourself because we have yet to tell him he's a dog.

Smiling could cure lots of things, I'm thinking. Maybe even contribute to world peace, but then what would Miss America do? Well, she'll think of something, I'm sure, like maybe get off drugs or quit the porn movies. Come on, let's give them a second chance, right.

Smiling in Other Places

I'm not an expert on world cultures, but I don't think smiling means the same in every country. I don't like it when Chavez smiles, nor that Iranian leader what ever his name is again, and personally I don't think Bin Lauden has ever smiled without a gun in his hand...so you can't trust every smile. Still, in a peaceful land, I think it's nice. I've even tried smiling when I didn't feel like it though a few people flinched when I did that, so maybe I need more practice.

Fake It 'Til You Make It

Frankly, I like pretense. We all deserve a little of it. If I'm at Wal-Mart and you're a clerk who's having a lousy day, please pretend you aren't. If you're the guy at Mickey D's who's just been given that nickle raise, please don't spit in my coke. And if you're the clerk at the 7-11 and I'm trying to get your attention so I can pre-pay for my gas and make it home before dark, but you're so busy arguing on the cell phone with WHOMEVER, well, please pretend you're good at your job and take my money. Sigh.

I'm not asking much, just a little fake cheer. You don't have to do the "zippety-do dah" dance, but just fake it a bit to help us all get through the day. I've faked a lot of things in my day. (shhhh) It works for the most part. Once in a while I forget I'm faking it and actually feel better.

Body Language Speaks Loudly

Body Language is always speaking. Smiling speaks. This little non-verbal symbol of acceptance is a powerful little tool. I'd like to see it more so here's the deal. I will - if you will. Smile, I mean. Let's do it. My smile is bigger than your smile. Come on, it'll be fun. I'll be watching you!

OOps, I almost forgot to give you the 5 reasons. Here they are...

Side Effects, Benefits and 5 Reasons to Smile:

1. Smiling Lowers Blood Pressure. (Well now, it could. If not yours, mine.)

2. Smiling makes others want to be around you. (So be careful who you give the smiles to, if you get my drift.)

3. Smiling triggers hormone production. (I don't know that for sure myself but I read it and thought it sounded good enough to try, so if you do it and find it to be true, please let me know what happened if you can legally talk about it.)

4. Smiling is a good facial exercise. (Trust me, I've seen some faces who could use exercise. Yes?)

5. Smiling is Contagious. (Finally a good contagious disease you can get on the plane with and not be arrested if you spread it around. Who knew?

Let the smiles begin! Especially during hard times!