Share-a-Smile Optimist Club shares selfies

According to research, taking selfies and sharing them with friends helps increase happiness.

Go ahead and laugh - it's okay - and then think about it. We've often been told that smiling helps us improve our mood until we feel the emotion. What is a selfie? Hopefully, it's a picture of you wearing a smile.

The research was conducted by Yu Chen, Gloria Mark and Sanna Ali in “Promoting Positive Affect through Smartphone Technology,” published July 4, 2016 by the Psychology of Well-Being.

Chen says, "Our research showed that practicing exercises that can promote happiness via smartphone picture taking and sharing can lead to increased positive feelings for those who engage in it.”

The study was conducted with college students and the authors explained this information was good for students to know as they return to school. Taking selfies can help reduce the stress from many different pressures they might feel.


The Share-a-Smile Optimist Club at Narrows Glen, Tacoma, Washington decided to give selfie-taking a try to see if increased happiness in a senior residence setting. We sure love to see the smiles!

It will help you feel happy

Shhh! I'm going to share a secret with you, but don't tell anyone. It's my birthday!

That's right, on this day, many years ago, a pink bundle of joy landed in Granite City, Illinois to two of the finest parents ever. Over the next 38 years, they taught me so many lessons about caring, giving and achieving, among others. And before they left me, much too soon, they also taught me to be happy.

One might wonder, can you teach someone to be happy? I say yes, you can. The world is a tough place with many corners that may lead one down the wrong path. As one struggles to find their way, they risk desperation, frustration, and a number of setbacks that might cause pain and generate a negative outlook on life.

Faith allows us to overcome those obstacles; but not everyone has the gift of a supportive family. That is one reason that I heartily endorse the support of an Optimist Club.When one joins an Optimist Club, they find people who help them be their best. As we give ourselves in service to our communities, our best rises to the top. We share smiles. We share happiness. We share optimism.

I hope you make today and every day a good day. Feel happy, join an Optimist Club.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you.
Click here if I might help you start a new Optimist Club in your community.

How to be happy

Yesterday, I read an article that claims acetaminophen depresses emotions. That's right, the little pill known as Tylenol, that is taken by so many and included in over 600 different medicines, may take away your happiness at the same time that it eases your pain.

An optimist would ask, "Is that a good thing?"

I think not would be the answer because, you see, optimism can also take away pain. By visualizing positive outcomes and positive attributes about oneself, a study has concluded that there is a causal link between optimism and lower pain sensitivity.

In layman's terms, we call this hope. Why would someone need or want to take a pill when a positive, hopeful disposition would do as much or more?

Part of the reason might be that pill-popping is an easy, quick fix; however, we must be careful of the long-term effects of any quick fix. What do we give up when we choose instant gratification? There are balances that must be weighed.

Clinical researchers have started to create optimism training for pain intervention. This is a medical solution that may better be conducted by a community solution, namely, participation in social activities. My suggestion is to give a concentrated effort to participate in social activities that are known for their positive ideology. Join an Optimist Club and find others who are working on their positive mental attitudes and eliminating pain every day.

Find out how you can share optimism by joining an Optimist Club in your local community. If there's not a club near you, please contact me and I'll help you start a new Optimist Club in your home town.

I'm "Happy" for the Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences

Encouraging children comes in all forms. There is the daily work that teachers do with their students every day and the small gestures that Optimist Clubs perform to honor and engage with them throughout the year. And then there are those who can go a step beyond and provide not only encouragement, but true delight.

That's exactly what Ellen DeGeneres and Pharrell Williams did for the Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences. And being Ellen, she had a camera crew there to record it so she could share her experience with the world.

Please watch, clap and be happy. Moments like these are what it's like to experience optimism.

Post by The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Remind people often of what you want them to know

I recently stopped receiving updates from Visual.ly, not because I didn't like them, but because my inbox was getting so full that even with the emails, I rarely went to the site to see what was new.

Thanks to a pinner on Pinterest, this great depiction of "Inner State" of happiness, made at Visual.ly, caught my attention this morning.

It says that to be truly happy one should exercise, have happy friends, find excitement with smart thrills, get enough sleep, trust themselves to make good choices, be present and live for now, share their gratitude, bounce back from life's troubles, take time away from technology and smile.

Most of those wonderful thoughts have been shared here before, but they always bear repeating for they are good reminders to help us live a full and balanced life. But this post is serving two purposes this morning. First, it is to help you pursue and find happiness; but its second purpose is to point out that we don't always see something the first time around.

I missed this great infographic on Visual.ly, but found it later on Pinterest. I've read the words before, but never in this format. It was a fresh approach and it caught my attention.

That's why we have to repeat the information and stories that we want to be heard because people listen, read and react on their own schedules. If it's good for them to know, tell them again. And again.

Clap along and be happy

Here's a happy song. No commentary for Music Sunday at Experience Optimism today. Gather your minions, hit play and then clap your hands and enjoy.

Click here for "Happy" by Pharrell Williams for Despicable Me 2.

Happy Easter: It's a beautiful day

It's Easter - the official harbinger of rebirth and renewal. Nothing speaks more to new opportunities for growth and happiness in our lives and that calls for a happy song indeed.

For today's Music Sunday post, please allow me to introduce you to a new release from Michael Bublé, "It's a Beautiful Day."

I hope that you make every day a beautiful day.

How to find happiness

I saw this on Twitter today, shared by @B_A_K_R and just had to share. Who knew? Happiness may not be as elusive as we think.

Laughter is good medicine

We can never get enough reminders for how to find happiness. I recently came across an article aimed at physicians about how to create a positive practice environment. Written by Christine S. Moyer for the American Medical Association, the article suggested that doctors should use humor.

"We need to lighten up and show that we're more than doctors. We're human," commented James Ferguson, MD. He keeps a joke book on hand for when he doesn't automatically think of something funny to say. Now that's human.

The benefit of a funny physician is twofold. The positive attitude helps the doctor avoid burnout and it also puts the patient at ease so that they are willing to share their medical history and questions. We've often heard that laughter is the best medicine. Maybe this is why.

At the recent American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly, speakers shared 10 ideas to help doctors find happiness. I decided to share eight of them here because they are time tested suggestions. PRN. (Take as needed.)

1. Pause before reacting to something that bothers you and think about how you could respond to the situation.
2. Develop meaningful connections with your colleagues and staff.
3. Plan personal and family time and place it on your patient care schedule [work calendar] to help you maintain work-life balance.
4. Learn to say "non" once in a while to requests for your time.
5. Focus on what is working in your life rather than fixating on what is not working. 
6. Laugh with your staff and patients. [coworkers and customers]
7. Spend time doing things that you're passionate about outside medicine [insert your work] such as creative writing, photography or playing an instrument. 
8. Volunteer with an organization that cares for the less fortunate.

Let me give special attention to #8. Through my years of involvement in Optimist Clubs, I've seen very few physician members. Perhaps I should write to the AMA and suggest another way for doctors to be happy: be an Optimist.

The happiness table

Coca-Cola has made me smile since I was a small child. As my mom's favorite drink, I grew up on its fizzy goodness. Sometimes we enjoyed Coke at the dinner table, but one thing was certain, with or without Coke, my family came together for the evening meal every day. We made our own family history as we shared the smiles, stories, and laughter of the day.

This may be an advertisement for Coke, but truly, it's an advertisement for something every person should try to achieve. No matter who you call family, bring them together with you for a meal on a regular basis. You'll be inspired by the love that evolves.

Click here to see the Coca-Cola Happiness Table on YouTube.

Happiness begins with enthusiasm

Wednesday is known in some circles as "hump day" signifying that the work week is at its midpoint. Being the optimist that I am, I'll refrain from saying that it is half over.

However, depending on your attitude, the week can still drag on as you anticipate how you'll spend your time off with family and friends. Don't do that. Don't wait for the weekend to find joy in all that you do, for if you do, you'll miss out on the happiness that every day brings.

Today's message: Be enthusiastic.

Optimism begins with a smile. Happiness begins with enthusiasm. Both are contagious and your friends, family and coworkers are ready to be infected. Go ahead, be enthusiastic and share some optimism now.

Experience Optimism is providing a "Share Optimism" poster every day this week. Based on the positive tenets of the Optimist Creed, we hope that you will find a favorite (or two) and share some of your optimism with others today. (3 of 7)

Optimism begins with a smile

Today's message: Smile!

You are probably looking at the computer screen thinking something like, "Yeah right," or maybe even, "I don't feel like smiling." If so, please try this right now: Look right into the screen and smile. Did you feel the muscles in your face relax? Did your body shift ever so slightly to accommodate the relaxation?

Recent studies from the Carnegie Institute of Technology have shown that EQ (emotional intelligence), MQ (moral intelligence) and BQ (body intelligence) are equally important as IQ in engineering a successful life and career.

I propose that success starts with optimism and it is easier to be optimistic when your whole body is smiling. Practice that smile; feel and share your optimism. Now.

Experience Optimism is providing a "Share Optimism" poster every day this week. Based on the positive tenets of the Optimist Creed, we hope that you will find a favorite (or two) and share some of your optimism with others today. (2 of 7)

Be happy

Happy Monday, my friends and readers. This week, I plan to share optimism with you every day via a new poster with tear-off quotations from the Optimist Creed. It's a visual way to keep the positive emotions flowing. Won't you share some optimism today?  Pin it on Pinterest, share it on Facebook, and post it on Twitter. Better yet, print it and post it on a bulletin board where others can take a part of Optimist Creed along with them on their journey.  Today's message: Be happy.

A study on money and happiness

What does $5.00 look like to you? According to Michael Norton, Associate Professor, Business Administration at Harvard University, college students think that $5.00 looks like a cup of coffee and that cup of coffee is likely to be purchased from Starbucks.

Professor Norton spoke recently at TEDxCambridge and his topic looked at spending habits of college students, among others, to determine if money really could buy happiness. The conclusion - most service club members know this already - money does buy happiness when you spend it on someone else.

In this TED talk, "How to buy happiness," Professor Norton discusses research that was conducted on college campuses and compares it to research from other settings around the world. Please watch and learn what makes people happy including college students with an extra five dollar bill.

Happiness and productivity

This Ted Talk is funny, poignant and optimistic. Using humor, psychologist Shawn Achor talks about "The happy secret to better work" as he takes us from his childhood, an obviously happy time, to his days at Harvard.

Despite the prestige, he explains that being at Harvard is not as blissful as getting in because once we achieve one goal, our brain pushes us to do the next best thing.

Harvard students, therefore, continually pressure themselves to do better and better. Challenging? Yes, but important in our development. We should never settle, but there are ways to cope with the pressure and derive true happiness from our achievements and through that happiness, we are more productive.

Please listen to Shawn Achor's presentation at TedxBloomington, filmed in May 2011 and uploaded in February 2012 and share your thoughts on happiness, gratitude, and productivity.

Promise yourself

Optimist International posted a poll on Facebook today asking their friends to tell them which line of the Optimist Creed they try to follow. Well every true Optimist Club member tries to follow each one. We're kind of geared that way.

For a refresher, the Optimist Creed follows:

Promise Yourself 

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future
To were a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Written by Christian Larson, the Optimist Creed was adopted by Optimist International in 1922 and is the single most unifying force for Optimist Clubs around the world. While the leaders often speak of finding a flagship program in order to engage others, I wonder why. Spreading optimism around the world seems like a flagship program to me. In fact, others like journalist Gretchen Rubin and Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos.com are doing something similar by sharing happiness. In England, a national movement was launched just last year to promote Action for Happiness. They say, "Doing good feels good." I agree.

Are optimism and happiness the same thing? Not exactly, but optimism - the act of thinking positive thoughts  - will lead to happiness. Thinking of good things will make you happier; and when  you are happy, it's easy to look at the sunny side of everything. That's optimism; what a great way to live!

Go ahead, take just a moment and read the Optimist Creed aloud and tell me if you don't agree.

My favorite thing!

Dogs really are my favorite things. I know I talk a lot about other favorite things, but I think that it is because most of the time I choose to view life like a dog; I am curious about most activities, people and ideas that come my way.

Perhaps you have seen this before.  If so or if not, I hope that you can enjoy the simple pleasures that take place every day in the life of a dog:

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

4:00 pm – Looked out the window! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The point of this little exercise is that you should do everything with enthusiasm. Life can get rather routine and monotonous. Being in an Optimist Club can seem repetitive for we do many of the same programs over and over again every year. Some call that consistency. Some call it boring. I call it it necessary and encourage you to see the new people and new challenges that appear each year. It's up to you to bring enthusiasm to the forefront every day. 

Your life is worth it. You are worth it. Like the puppy in the picture - go for the bubbles and keep smiling all the way. 

Picture courtesy of Karin Car Care. 

Choose happiness

Music Sunday - today is the day I look for happy tunes on the internet and share them with you. Of course, happiness varies for people over time, given their circumstances, desires, needs and goals. Sometimes we settle and according to Dan Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness, that's okay because when we make a decision we learn to be happy with our choice. View his TedTalk here.

So what does Dan Gilbert have to do with today's choice for Music Sunday at Experience Optimism? Validation. Silly, but true. Knowing that my choice is a good one just because it matters to me is important. So today, I offer a song that I heard on the radio yesterday that made me happy in the moment; but I'm not going to tell you why, because why it made me happy at that instant would not be the same reason for you.

However, I really hope that my choice makes you smile right here, right now.
Please enjoy "Fireflies" by Owl City.

It's the quickest way to feeling happy: Smile!

According to Matthew Shafer, the musician who goes by the name Uncle Kracker, he and a couple of buddies got together and made a conscious decision to write a positive song. Well they certainly succeeded! Some call it a toe-tapper; I like to call it a sing-along, feel-good song. I hope you do too.

Please sing along to Smile with Uncle Kracker on Music Sunday at Experience Optimism.

This video was created by a young music video producer, Mike, 16, at Club Penguin, a Disney Membership Community.

Groaning allowed

Yes, you can groan at this message as long as you do so with a smile because I want to take just a few lines to tell you that laughter really is the best medicine. I know that you have heard that all your life.  I bet you have even experienced it more than a time or two.  I know that when I laugh, my stress level subsides, my muscles relax and my attitude changes.

I didn't need the You Docs to tell me any of that this morning, but a reminder never hurts. Please read the column from Drs. Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen as it appeared in the Idaho Statesman today: Laughter really is the best medicine. 

And then send us a joke or story that makes you smile or discuss it in the comment section here. Here's a couple to get you started:

• A guy walks into the doctors office and says, "Doc you gotta help me I can't remember anything." "How long have you been having this problem?" asks the doctor. "What problem?" says the man. 
• A woman received a bill from her dentist and she called to inquire about it. "But Doctor, this is three times what you normally charge me," she said. "I know," said the dentist, "But you yelled so loud that you scared away two other patients." 
• A blonde walks into a library (YouTube).

I'm ready to laugh all through the day because I can't think of a better way to open up my senses so I may experience optimism. You?  Please add your funnies now.