June 23, 2025

This past school year, our daughter had a writing assignment in which she was tasked with creating a six-word memoir related to her life. She then posed the question to me: If you could choose six words for your memoir, what would they be and why?

I really enjoyed that assignment! During one of my morning runs, I embraced the challenge and quickly chose my six words: “Let your smile change the world!”

One of my core values is to smile first and make it matter. Here’s why.

The gift of a smile is just that: a gift! From my perspective, it’s one of the most distinctive qualities a person can have. A smile offers others a glimpse into their heart, creating an instant connection even in a brief moment of passing. It’s a gesture that conveys, "I see you, and your presence matters." A smile dissolves invisible barriers, invites genuine human interaction, exudes joy, and expresses a sense of value toward one another.

The more we get ourselves off our minds, the happier we are and the more energy we have. One of the fastest ways to increase your joy and place a smile on your face is to reach out and be a blessing to someone else. Don’t let a day go by in your life where you’re not good to somebody – be aggressive in goodness.

 Don’t wait to feel like giving - give.

Don’t wait to feel like encouraging somebody - encourage someone.

Don’t wait to feel like smiling – smile.

Do things on purpose!

Rise above the noise of negativity to leave a unique stamp in someone’s life: Let your smile change the world!

Intentionally Own It! What personalized growth does this message encourage me to pursue, and why does it matter? When will I take action, and what value will it add to my life and the lives of others when I do?