Full-Body Smile

There are times that can make even a global cowgirl want to say, “Calf rope.” The upcoming Holiday season in the time of Covid-19 is one of them. That spikey blighter has taken all the “dancing and spinning” spirit right out of the Holidays for a lot of us.

For my first official “Global Cowgirl and Friends ”blog post, I’m offering this gift for putting some dancing and spinning back in your heart during the Holidays…or for anytime you’re feeling a bit low  about life or yourself.

This surefire way of bringing a smile to your whole body and letting you light up a room—even on your darkest days—is a bit of magic I learned on the sunny side of sixty when I was accepted as the oldest student in a Master of Arts program at a internationally-acclaimed drama school in London.

By the way, I managed to do that with no acting experience. So, the next time you decide to look down on yourself and say you can’t do something, remember, not everyone sees you the way you do. Just go for what you want and see where you land.

Here’s the exercise:

• Every time you walk through a doorway into another room, imagine the room is full of people giving you a standing ovation.

• Do this when you walk into the bathroom. Bedroom. Going from the living room into the dining room. Into the kitchen. Hear the roar when the garage door opens or when you visit the supermarket.

• Don’t forget at work: Entering the building. The elevator. Your office or cubicle.

• And especially when you’re going into a difficult meeting with someone (or a group of folks) who gets up your nose and you’re anticipating a battle.

• Notice the smile that comes from inside when you imagine that applause. Feel your body stand taller and the muscles around your mouth turn upward.

• Consciously and consistently do this for two weeks, whether you’re feeling happy or sad. After that, you’ll be like one of Pavlov’s dogs. Every time you walk into a room it will unconsciously trigger the memory of applause, and you’ll break out into a full-body smile without thinking about it.

*This exercise is going to change the way you see the world and the way the world sees you.

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Feel free to comment below or leave a comment on the Global Cowgirl Facebook page. Also, check out my book Stories from a Global Cowgirl… “Don’t Put a Cat on Your Head!” Available on Amazon