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 Power of the Smile
Written by Steven Lombardi, age 18
I believe in the power of the smile. The simple pleasure of seeing the joy and glee on another person’s face can brighten our day. It is a spreader of positive energy, and in these hard times, that is something we all can use. We may never understand how much we communicate to those around us, especially strangers, with our body language. We can influence an entire person’s day just by the feelings we radiate. If we’re having a bad day we’ll show it. If we’re sad or depressed, we show it. If we’re giddy or excited we will especially show it. So I plan to spread some good times and happy feelings the instant I step on to my new campus. With the help of my beautiful smile, thanks to Dr. Seuss, I can be a welcoming personality to all the faces I will meet in the coming years.
 When I was young, my grandmother loved to sing this Mary Poppins song to me.
“I love to laugh… loud and long and clear.
I love to laugh… so everybody can hear.”
My grandmother constantly smiled, always reminding me that being grumpy exerted too much energy. She said that it was much simpler to “put on your best face” and to find laughter in all circumstances. She told me that a day without smiling was a day wasted. Today, I try to use her words in my everyday life. I notice that when I smile, it creates an incredible chain reaction; it causes others to smile as well. Smiling is contagious, and, in many circumstances, the best medicine. My life is filled with an over-abundance of joy, and, as I leave for the next journey in my life, Vassar College, I plan to look for good in all things by smiling throughout the day. I know it will not only bring me happiness, but it will make others smile as well.
-Casey Rice
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