What Does a Smile Say?

“Oh, you look amazing! So glamorous, so put-together, so well! Your smile is so bright, how do you do it?” These are the questions I’m asked almost every day, as though my smile holds the secrets to a life well-lived.

But let’s pause for a moment. What really brings a smile to someone’s face? Is it happiness, joy, peace, success, or even wealth? What is a smile, truly? According to the dictionary, to smile is to “form one’s features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed.” A simple, universal gesture, but often, a smile can be anything but simple.

We’ve been taught from a young age to keep smiling, regardless of what’s happening inside. “Smile through it,” we hear, even in our most difficult moments. It’s almost become second nature, especially in an age where social media displays our best moments in curated, polished snapshots. We share our highlights, carefully crafting an image of happiness, peace, and success. But is that image true? Or is it just a reflection of what we want others to believe?

The truth is, no one really knows what’s behind a smile until they take the time to see beyond it. Often, we use our smiles to mask struggles, heartaches, or insecurities, hiding what we don’t feel ready to reveal. A smile can be a shield, something we put up to assure others and ourselves that everything is okay. And sometimes, we don’t even realise the weight we’re carrying behind it.

So instead of focusing on someone’s smile, take a moment to look into their eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and it’s true. Where a smile can be crafted, the eyes are honest. They reveal emotions we might not intend to show the subtle signs of fatigue, worry, or sadness that a smile can easily hide. In someone’s eyes, you’ll find glimpses of their true self, of the deeper feelings beneath the surface.

Next time you see someone with a radiant smile, let it be an invitation to look deeper. Look into their eyes. That’s where the soul lies, where the truth is waiting to be found.

Christine Bunn

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