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MCC Daily Tribune

World Smile Day

The first Friday of October is World Smile Day (October 7), a relatively new holiday with a fascinating story. Created by a commercial artist named Harvey Ball, this day came about as a response to his creation of the smiley face. Harvey worried that the commercialization of the symbol would lessen its impact. We can hardly blame him for his estimation; the symbol has been used in many different ways including clothing, comic books, coffee mugs, pins, and more. These little yellow faces are more than just a symbol, they’re a statement about the power of smiling.

WORLD SMILE DAY ACTIVITIES

  1. Do Unto Others

    There are many organizations that could use volunteers willing to offer extra help. Whether it involves cleaning up the environment, or helping the elderly, or giving back to veterans it all makes the world a better place. Doing something charitable outside of your everyday life can have enlightening effects on you and your community.

  2. Follow Your Dreams

    With work and other obligations, it can be hard to find time for yourself. We all have hopes and dreams that we’ve put on the back burner. Use this day to indulge in your heart’s desire. Pull out your guitar from the closet, pick up a paintbrush, anything that deeply resonates with you that will put a smile back on your face.

  3. Commit a Random Act of Kindness

    Not everything has to be planned out. Keeping a sense of goodwill in your spirit all day is the perfect way to celebrate. You’ll have it in mind to keep an eye out for ways that you can brighten someone’s day. Compliment someone’s outfit, thank your co-workers for their work ethic. Whatever small way you can positively impact someone, follow your instincts. You’d be surprised how much an acknowledgment can mean to someone.

FIVE SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT WORLD SMILE DAY

  1. Happiness is biological

    When you smile, neurotransmitters called endorphins are created that cause feelings of pleasure.

  2. Why yellow?

    Yellow is used as the color of the smiley face because it's a symbol of cheerfulness.

  3. Money-maker

    The Smiley Company office in London, England, is worth more than $55m per year.

  4. Multiplicity

    In 1999, 470 iterations of the smileys were created for internet emoticons.

  5. Sweet Charity

    The World Smile Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust that supports wonderful children's causes.

WHY WE LOVE WORLD SMILE DAY

  1. A day to show we care

    While we use smile emojis in our digital conversations, we don’t always smile with our real faces. It’s always good to remember the benefits that true smiles can do for our own emotional well-being.

  2. It brightens up the dark

    When the world seems in a disarray, it can be hard to find your own smile. Enjoyment might seem like a preposterous thing at times, but science tells us that finding lightness in the dark can make you less anxious, annoyed, and sad.

  3. Take on tougher tasks

    People often neglect how much mental health affects our productivity. When you’re in the proper headspace, it can give you the boost you need to go about your day. It can also help positively raise the energy of those around you.

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
10/07/2022