The Smile

In 1963, Harvey Ball, a graphic artist from Worcester, Massachusetts, created the smiley face symbol that’s become popular throughout the world. In 1999, World Smile Day, the first Friday in October, was first celebrated. Harvey wanted people to smile, create small acts of kindness, make others smile….

Yesterday, World Smile Day, Seagull Theatre said: ‘We are so lucky to see so many smiling faces around our building!’ …quoting Dolly Parton ‘If you see someone without a smile today, give ’em yours.’

I’ve observed fours sorts of smile:

Ten-tickling Smile: Yesterday we enjoyed Jam Jar Theatre’s production, ‘How a Jellyfish Saved the ‘World’. It was a great, entertaining show, involving puppets and music, telling the story of Clyde the jellyfish, that raised awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans.

A running gag in the show referred to Clyde’s tentacles as ten tickles. I smiled throughout the show – a ten-tickling smile of happiness and contentment.

Troubled Smile: The circus clown does crazy stunts, wears outrageous clothes and has  a smile painted on his face. It’s part of his act. His world of craziness entertains and brings happiness. Underneath the painted smile there may be anxiety, insecurity, anger, depression…

At times I’ve hidden what I really feel behind a troubled smile to defend and protect myself.

Transforming Smile: I’ve watched small children fall over and burst into tears. Mother has come along, comforted, reassured; very soon they’re calm. They’ve come through their mini-trauma and have re-emerged smiling.

Christian faith often speaks about change – sickness to health, blindness to sight, hatred to love, sadness to joy, heart-breaking tears to transforming smile.

Triumphant Smile: Charlie Chaplin, who knew something about smiling, wrote:

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by

I’ve been with several friends this week who are living with sickness, bereavement, life-changing uncertainty… They haven’t come out the other side; perhaps they never will. However they do have determination and resilience; whatever happens they will wear a triumphant smile.