Just Smile
I am having one of those days where I do not feel all that smiley or happy but know that it is only with reframing our own thoughts and attitudes that our emotions and moods tend to follow. I also know that the world is full of happy moments that bring a smile to our faces and I only have to look through my photography back catalogue to see some of the faces that have smiled at me over the past four years and have given me such joy. So for anyone else having a gloomy Thursday here are some smiles from around the world to brighten your day.
If you smile through your pain and sorrow,
Smile though it may be tomorrow,
You’ll see the sun come shining through, for you,
Light up your face with glad ness
Hide every trace of sadness,
Although a tear may be ever so near,
That’s the time you must keep on trying,
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.
(Charlie Chaplain – Smile)
The ‘cheeky smile’ (taken in Nepal in 2012 for All We Can – formally known as MRDF)
The ‘nearly smiling smile’! (Taken in India in 2012)
The ‘I am proud of myself’ smile (Taken in India in 2012)
The ‘shy smile’ (Taken in Sri Lanka in 2010)
The ‘it feels so good to sit down after a long day at work smile’ (taken in Mali in 2012 for All We Can – formally known as MRDF)
The ‘creating a thing of beauty and I know it smile’ of a sari weaver (taken in India in 2012)
The ‘age does not matter’ smile (taken in Mali in 2012)
The ‘chilled out smile’ (taken in The Gambia in 2014)
The ‘grateful for the simple things smile’ (taken in Nicaragua in 2013 for The Methodist Church of Great Britain)
The ‘confident and proud smile’ (taken in Morocco in 2013)
The ‘natural smile’. The best kind of smile. This girl was just sat in her window smiling at the world going by (taken in Mozambique in 2013)
Finally, ‘the welcoming smile’. The kind of smile that greets strangers and lifts their day (taken in Mozambique in 2013)
THE THING WITH FEATHERS 
Gorgeous photos, thank you for sharing. I’m having a day like yours – in fact a week like that so far so thanks for the splashes of brightness and happiness!
No problem! I needed to cheer myself up today and this has worked a bit. Hope your week gets better and thanks as always for stopping by.
Thanx Laura sorry you having a bad time BUT BLESS you for sharing these pics ,have had stressfull time meself and you cheered me up and made me look at others more than myself .Thanx lots .god bless you xxxxx
Thanks Margaret and sorry to hear you are also having a stressful time. Glad the photos cheered you up. x
Thank you for sharing, the weather these last few days here in France are nothing to smile about. Keep your head up, just move forward, better days will come.
Yes… We may not have always had happy yesterdays but there can always be hope of happy tomorrows!
Beautiful smiles! Hope it cheered you up looking at these – it certainly did me! 🙂
What beautiful and enlightening smiles. I would really appreciate it if you would check out my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kbeezyisviral
Thanks for the nice comment. I will have a look at your page sure
simple “joy” to behold … thank you for the smile
Laura, thank you for letting the joy that is evident with all the wonderful people in your images become so infectious by sharing them with the rest of us.
I am so glad that I have discovered your blog and I look forward to continuing to smile as I read more of it.
Paul
What a nice comment Paul. Thanks so much.
Gorgeous photos. Thank you for sharing this. Love it!
It makes me happy looking at your photos:) Good job!
I think the best shots are always the ones with smiles..Wild Life picture surprise,makes us wonder the beauty of nature,Natural wonders are well,natural wonders..But pics of a person with a sweet smile,it just makes you smile whatever mood you were in before.Thanks for sharing the cheerful photos.
Laura you are great!!! You have a new fan
Thanks 🙂