For anonymity each submission will be assigned a number and our
selection committee will review each essay. The winner will be
notified by May 15, 2012.
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2011 Annual Smile of Your Life Scholarship Winner
Tanner McWain
What truly is a smile, a simple gesture that one makes in response to outside stimuli? Or is it so much more? How exactly can a simple gesture be so meaningful and create such a mood around those who share the act? I think that this unknown author describes smiles the best.
“A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it, and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.” (unknown)
Above all dictionary definitions, this is the true value and way to think of a smile. Smiles are a small glimmer of light that when everyone shares, can brighten the world.
Smiles are much more than just a simple gesture to a funny comment, smiles are the body’s attempt to let out the happiness that builds up inside and allow others to share the feeling. Being a kid who has moved from an area where smiles are prevalent all around to an area where smiles are just to appear happy or get someone to be quiet, I understand the importance and effect smiles can have. In my previous home, smiles were everywhere; people greeted with a smile, even perfect strangers. It has been my goal to capture this and always bring it with me. Smiles are a powerful type of magic that can turn around anyone’s day. Often, I am called upon to spend time with my friends who are not in the best mood because they know I will bring my smiles, and everyone knows that smiles are contagious. By the end of us spending time together, everyone is in a better mood.
Smiles signify much more that just being happy. They signify camaraderie, friendship and trust. Smiles mean different things to everyone. A simple smile can replace so many words and do a better job. When faced with a situation where one feels alone, they tend to search for the smiles. Smiles portray self-confidence and even friendliness. As a new kid to a large school, I can testify to the fact that smiles can change one’s day. Things began turning around in school when I began sharing smiles with a seemingly random kid. He too was in the same situation as I, and through a simple smile, we were able to become friends.
Going back to the quotation, everyone needs smiles in their lives. No matter how wealthy, everyone can afford to give smiles. When being smiled upon, take that feeling and share with others. One can never know the impact they may have on somebody’s day or even life. Smiles allow for everyone to feel as though they belong, that they are part of something larger. Smiles create the feeling of community.
Just think, how have smiles affected people? Will people continue to participate in smiling, in created a more unified world? Smiling is a language of its own; smiles are a universal language. All languages understand a smile. Smiles are contagious: a smile to a neighbor could become a smile across the world. Do you supply your share of smiles to the world? How many people could you potentially affect in one day? The possibility is incalculable. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” (Leo F. Buscaglia)
Nobody should underestimate the power of a smile, and everyone should share their smiles with the world. Try to be the one that changes everyone’s day for the better.
By:Tanner McWain
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