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All of my life I’ve had straight teeth. In junior high school, while all of my friends were complaining about getting food caught in their braces and being called, “brace face,” I couldn’t relate.
Fast-forward thirty something years and suddenly my once straight teeth began to shift. Apparently, that can happen as we age. Who knew? So, at forty-six-years-old, I quickly discovered the agony of wearing braces. Brackets, hooks, rubber bands, arch wires, and the dreaded “power chain.” I soon realized this would be the longest two years of my life.
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So why am I talking about my experience with braces? Well, if you didn’t know, today is Smile Power Day. On this day, we’re encouraged to use the power of our smile to spread happiness to others.
Did you know that smiling is the easiest way to make your life better and to improve the life of people around you?
Here are just a few good reasons why we should all make a conscious effort to smile more every day.
**Smiling triggers activity in your brain. There’s a mind-body connection in your left frontal cortex which is the area of your brain that registers happiness. With a smile, you can actually trick your body into helping to elevate your mood by releasing endorphins in the brain that spread a feeling of well-being throughout the body.
**Smiling can change the mood of those around us. It truly is contagious.
**Smiling can improve your overall health by making us less stressed and more relaxed. A relaxed body is stronger and therefore more able to fight off sickness.
As you go through your daily activities today, I hope you’ll keep in mind some of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa and remember, a simple smile can change someone’s world.
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“Peace begins with a smile.”
“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
“The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver.”
“Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.”
“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
“Smile at each other. Smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other- it doesn’t matter who it is- and that will help to grow up in greater love for each other.”
So tell me, what’s made you smile lately?
**I’m at my day job today, so I’ll be around later to chat.**
By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired. Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia. She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University. She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard. Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.
Hi Jill, what a great day:) I smiled today at a very funny story my students told me!! I also smiled with delight at the care my senior students express and show towards younger students.
Blessings:)
Hi Jill! Smiles are contagious. This is evident when I smile at my 5 month old granddaughter, who immediately responses. Mother Theresa has a excellent reminders “Smile, God loves you.” Best wishes! :-)
Jill, I didn’t get braces until I was a senior in high school. The orthodontist explained that “if you don’t get them now, when you’re 40…” I’ll never forget practicing with the pom pon squad on the football field that fall, and the squad leader yelled, “Smile, people! The only one I can see smiling is JoAnn!” Well, that was because my braces reflected the sunlight. :) I wore those babies for 18 months (not getting them off until I mid-year my freshman year in college). Let me tell you, I’ve been smiling since. So, Happy Smile Power Day, and keep smiling your beautiful smile! A smile also beautifully illustrates Matthew 5:16, the theme verse for my life and writing (Let your light so shine…). Blessings!
Forgive my typo. I was awakened by storms at 4:30 a.m. and couldn’t get back to sleep. Never fear, I’m smiling since Jim just brought me a nice big mug of hot coffee. :)
Your reminder of Smile Power Day, and of your special, braces-free reasons to smile, made me smile. Since it is early morning here in Ontario, Canada and I have been out of bed for precisely 47 seconds, your post has literally started my day with a smile. Thank you!
Funny how a smile can change your entire day!!! I got braces (Invisalign) at 43 myself. So congrats on brace off day!
Oh, Jill, can I relate!! I got partial braces at 50–I had a baby tooth that had never fallen out and needed to shift the permanent tooth into the correct position. Now I’m dealing with the retainer stage, and I have to confess–not a fan. ;) But smiles?? Definitely a big fan of those..
What a fun post, Jill! So encouraging (just like you!)! Didn’t need braces, but daughter did and will never forget that she left her retainer in a restaurant (on napkin) the first week! Smiling is a great idea!
You make me smile, Jill, your sweet words of encouragement and always a friendly face smiling back at me. Those 2 years will disappear lightning fast! Keep smiling! ?
Yay! Another grown up with braces. I had the joy(?) Of braces three times because my teeth are evil (really it’s the only explanation I can come up with.) I had them in middle school on my bottom teeth, again in high school on both top and bottom, and again in my early thirties – top and bottom again. And this is with wearing my retainers!
Being done with them is definitely a reason to smile :)
Wow! I didn’t know you wore braces! My teeth have shifted also. I had braces when I was in high school and need them again.
Your posts always make me smile. :D Hope you have a great day!
Silly thing perhaps, but had to smile at the Costco doorkeeper who’s always so happy and was wishing folks ‘happy Wednesday’ last night…Which made him comment on my smile..and the friendly loop goes on…
Smiles are the universal icebreaker-greeting!
:-)
I, too, have been blessed with naturally straight teeth. Back in the day, I actually wished I could wear braces (to look cool…crazy Jr. high school years)!
And my teeth too have shifted – minimally – but still shifted. Being the mature woman I now am, there’s no way I’m wishing to wear braces! HA! So sorry to hear your dentist prescribed them for you as a mature woman.
I had the exact same experience, Jill — Braces at 46 years old! It was crazy, but I wore them proudly and was happy with the result. The downside is I’m doomed to wear a retainer for the rest of my life (older teeth just keep shifting, my orthodontist tells me). I’m glad to learn there’s such a thing as Smile Power Day, because a smile truly is a powerful thing. Thanks for a great post to start my day!
I didn’t know braces were so common for adults, but the above comments suggest that… yes, they are. I would now like to use that as an issue for a heroine in a novel… unless you’ve already got dibs on the idea, of course!
I love to smile. Amidst trials and troubles, I can almost always find something that makes me smile. Right now, I am smiling because I am thinking of our first grand baby due in August. A boy! :-)
I smiled at my groggy husband first thing this morning – it worked!
Reading this post made me smile. ( :
Had a lovely walk on the beach and was delighted to see a flock of pelicans no more than ten feet above me. We gave each other a smile and went on our way. Super post, Jill. Thanks for the smile reminder.
It’s a windy, rainy day, but I smiled because I don’t have to water the garden.
Your day job must start really early. I’ve noticed your comments are usually one of the first ones I see on a blog post. I enjoy reading them.
I’m smiling today because I get to see Karen Kingsbury in person tonight in Tuscaloosa. She’s speaking at First Baptist Church.
Thank you for this post, Jill. I am a natural smiler, but I’m going to amp it up today (while keeping it genuine). I’ll let you know the results!
The sun in a blue sky and being surrounded by friends and family, which only happens once a year, due to our alternative lifestyle. Lots of reasons to smile this month. :-)
I had braces in middle school, with the bottom ones becoming crooked again in high school. I try to smile at people when I’m out and about and have told my kids that a smile can make someone’s day. My husband is Mr Pun Man so he has me alternating between smiling and just shaking my head. My oldest son seems to follow in his footsteps at times, plus he also got into a tech based alternative high school and that has me smiling too.
My dog makes me smile. My dog before this one always made me smile before I went to bed and upon awaking every morning. When I’m out, I smile at people. Much of the time I get frowns in return. Kinda sad.
It’s my son’s last day of 10th grade and my parents’ 54th anniversary – lots to smile about :)
PS I had braces when I was young and while it was a pain it is nice to be able to chew a steak now!
I love the idea of smile power day. My smile broke when I got Bells Palsy and it’s never come back. I try to show my smile with my eyes but it’s not quite the same. Can’t kiss anymore either. :( You never know how important that smile is until you lose it. I do miss mine.
Well this post made me smile for one thing Jill, it’s infectious :-)
Smiling is contagious! Thanks for spreading S~M~I~L~E~S around, Jill. And good luck with your braces. I don’t recall being called “Brace Face” . . . but I was called “Metal Mouth.” :D
Smiling is powerful. I worked with a nurses aide one time who never smiled. I smiled and said good morning to her for 9 months before she answered back. I was excited I finally broke through.
I had braces in my 30s … while I was pregnant. I was quite the catch. ? But better late than never for us, right?
I had no idea that today was Smile Power Day, but people do seem to be smiling more often than usual (or it could be because the sun is finally out)! Seeing people out on the street smile is what made me smile today. I hope everything works out with your braces – keep smiling! :)
Hi Wemble! It is a great day and one we should practice all of the time. It sounds like you have a lot of things to smile about. Thanks for sharing today!
Hi Renate! Yes, smiles certainly are contagious. There’s nothing better than a child’s smile, is there? I appreciate your visit today! Keep smiling. :)
Hi JoAnn! It’s great to see you here today. I had to laugh about what the squad leader yelled. My teeth were straight up until my early 40’s. I suppose at any age, braces can make one self-conscious. I appreciate you sharing your story!
Enjoy that cup of coffee, but don’t forget to rinse. You wouldn’t want to stain those straight, white teeth! :)
Aw…how sweet, Karen! I’m so happy that I made you smile. Your comment made me smile. I hope you have a great day. Thanks so much for visiting today!
Hi Tina! Your visit made me smile. I agree, a smile can certainly change our day and our mood. Lucky you, having the Invisalign, I had an issue that those couldn’t correct. Although my braces have been off for several years, the memories linger. :) Thanks for stopping by today!
Hi Laurel! It’s great to see you here. I’ve never heard of partial braces. Sadly, I had the full Monty! I could deal with the retainer, but the rubber bands…if I opened my mouth too wide, I could put out an eye. Derek was constantly finding them on the floor around the house. I’ve got permanent retainers now, behind the teeth. Having that ordeal in my past is certainly something to smile about. Thanks for visiting today!
Hi Jackie! Thank you for your kind words. Yeah, those removable retainers are easy to leave behind. They’re not cheap either, so I hope she was able to retrieve it. I’m happy your PT is going well and you’re getting in your walks. Thanks for visiting today!
Aw…thank you, Tori! You, your pups and your adorable grandson always make me smile. No worries…those braces are long good…almost four years now. Thanks for stopping by today!
Oh my word, Elizabeth! You poor thing! I can’t imagine enduring those dreadful things three times. Let’s hope that the end for you! I agree, being rid of braces is certainly a reason to smile. Thanks for reading today!
Aw…thanks, L. Marie! Your visits make me smile. :) I had braces, they’re off now. Yay! I know several people who had braces when they were young, like you, and now they need them again. I guess I was fortunate to only have to wear them once. If my teeth shift down the road, I don’t plan on getting braces at 70! Thanks for popping over today
Hi Amy! That’s not silly at all. Our Costco greeters and receipt checkers are always smiling too. Isn’t it nice to pay a smile forward? Thank so much for taking the time to read and share your experience. I hope your day is full of smiles!
Hi Laura! It’s great to see you here today. I agree, smiles do break the ice. You wished for braces? LOL! Well, I guess we’d do anything to be cool, back in the day. I don’t think I’d want to revisit those years. Trust me, I wasn’t thrilled to get the braces as an adult. Actually, it wasn’t my dentist who prescribed them…it was my mother! Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a great day.
Hi Jenny! I wish I’d known you then…we could have commiserated. Although it sounds like you adjusted to the braces better than I did. I felt like doing handsprings the day they were removed. :) Yes, I was happy with the result, but I didn’t do a lot of smiling while I had them. Thank you so much for your kind comment, it made me smile. I appreciate you taking the time to visit today!
Hi Lee! Oh yes, adult orthodontics is a lucrative business—braces aren’t just for kids anymore. As for an issue for your heroine…go for it! :)Thanks for reading!
Smiling does make you feel good, doesn’t it? Expecting your first grandchild is definitely something to smile about, Mimi! I’m so happy for you! Hopefully, you’ll share some photos on your blog so we can all smile too. Thanks for visiting today!
Jill, I’m sending you a smile through cyber space. Best wishes on wearing those braces.
A fine example, indeed! Well, Cliff’s artwork makes me smile. Thanks for popping over today, Marian!
That makes me smile, Laurie. Speaking of smiles…you have a great one! Thanks for visiting today. Stay cool!
That sounds like a great reason to smile, John. I’m sure you can guess what gave me my first smile of the day today…yes, Lucy! And I’m still smiling. Thanks for stopping by today! I hope your day is full of smiles.
Ah, Mother Nature’s watering, that’s always a good reason to smile. Thanks for stopping over today, Anneli!
Hi Gail! You’re correct. I do start the day job very early. Actually, I’m working while some of my co-workers are still sleeping. :) I’ve always been an early riser, plus I can beat the traffic. Oh wow, lucky you! I love Karen’s books. It sounds like you’ll be smiling all day and all night…enjoy!
It’s all of that walking you do that makes you a natural when it comes to smiling, Donna. :) Yay you! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit today. I’ll look forward to hearing your results!
That sounds like great reasons to smile, Liebet! Enjoy your time with family and friends…it’s the most important time we spend. Thanks so much for stopping by to share the reason for your smile.
What you’re teaching your children is so important, Andrea. Yay you! It sounds as though there’s never a dull moment being married to Mr. Pun Man. :) Good for him. We need to have more fun in everyday life. Congratulations to your son! That’s an excellent reason to be smiling. You should be proud. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and share with us today.
Your dog makes me smile too, Lori. I agree. Some people don’t know how to respond when a stranger smiles at them. I’ve had folks look at me as though I’ve got three heads. Thanks for stopping by today. Sending some smiles your way. :)
That is a lot to smile about, Julianne! Congratulations to both your son and your parents. Braces were a pain, weren’t they? I missed popcorn the most. Thanks for sharing your reasons for smiling today!
Thank you Jill. I’m trying to stay cool, but it’s burning up!!
Oh Marlene, this makes me so sad. I’m thankful you shared this with us as a reminder not to take anything for granted, even our smile. I have a feeling, those who really know you, know when you’re smiling. Thank you for visiting today. I’m sharing my smile with you.
You just made me smile, Andrea. I appreciate you popping over today. Sending smiles your way!
Yes, it sure is, Nancy! Thankfully, my “brace face” days are far behind me. They’ve been off for several years. LOL! I forgot about “metal mouth!” Thanks for stopping by today, I appreciate it
Hi Carrie! Your comment made me smile and then laugh out loud. I’m just happy those days are over. Thanks for visiting today!
I’m happy to hear you’ve noticed more people smiling today. It makes for a better day, doesn’t it? Thanks, but my braces are off! I had then when I was 46…that was many moon ago. LOL! Thanks so much for stopping by, Sheila!
I love this, Diana! Good for you for being persistent and finally having a break through. Hopefully after that day, she continued to greet you with a smile. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Merrillee! I’m sending you a smile too. As I mentioned to Sheila, I was 46 years-old many moons ago, so thankfully the braces are history. :) Thanks for reading!
I can still laugh though. :) Maybe I should wear a permanent smiley face on my shirt because that’s the way I feel. My heart is always smiling. :)
Oh I can’t let that one go…your Mother??!!! LOL. No need to respond…just sayin’.
Thank you, Jill. You manage to help with that.
LOL! Yes, Laura. She had a real issue with a front tooth that was beginning to overlap another. Each time I saw her, she talked about it. I reached my breaking point and made an appointment. :)
I know! Our A/C is running non-stop!
Thanks, bud! :)
It’s very obvious to those of us who know you that your heart is always smiling, Marlene!
Nature does a better job than I could. It waters everything at once, usually gently and generously.
I agree, Anneli. :)
My granddaughter recently got braces. They’re actually kind of cute with cool colours now!
Starting a new book :-) It always makes me smile knowing I have new characters to meet as they often become “friends”. My three year old grand-girl makes me smile too with her antics. My husband makes me smile everyday.
I love to give someone a smile in the store, especially when I’m standing in line. You just never know who needs one that day. Maybe God will use you as an “angel unaware” in someone’s life with just a smile.
I had the wonderful privilege of wearing braces from age 12-14 in junior high, when I couldn’t have been more awkward. Frizzy red hair, skinny, insecure–yay! Add braces and don’t eat corn on the cob in public! My teeth moved a little when my wisdoms moved in but ironically they weren’t removed until my mid-40s. They have those invisiline braces now but i hear they’re expensive. Smil anyway!!
Hi Jennifer! Yes, they do have bright colored braces which are great for teenagers. I opted out as I wasn’t sure how that would look on a forty-something year old. :) Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Trixi! I’m with you, starting a new book is a great reason to smile. Giving a stranger a smile is one of the best gifts we can give. Thanks so much for sharing your reasons to smile.
Hi Terri! It’s great to see you here. LOL! I never attempted to eat corn on the cob while my braces were on. Unfortunately, the Invisiline couldn’t correct my issue. I did have the non-metal on my upper teeth, so my smile wasn’t too shiny. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
I smiled at this post and the comments here today!
Good Morning!
I’m a day late, but this post made me smile :-) Thank you, Jill. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
My teeth have been shifting too. I chatted with my hairdresser about it (of course–she knows all my secrets) and she got braces in her late 50’s!
Did you consider Invisiline? That’s what she got and you couldn’t tell she had them. I’m pondering it.
I got my braces by the age of 28. The day I took them out I smiled a lot! Thanks for the reminder about the smile day.
Having the house to myself this week!:-)
I feel like smiling just reading this post Jill. My mum has the best smile and it has a huge effect on all of us. I is such a gift.
Hi Pix! I smiled seeing your cute little feet here today. :) Thanks for visiting! Enjoy your weekend!
Hi Laura! There’s no time limits on our posts…you’re welcome anything. I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the weekend!
Hi Jacqui! I think as we get older most people have issues with their teeth shifting. I did look into Invisiline, but it wouldn’t have corrected my problem. I’m just happy that period of my life is behind me and I can once again enjoy popcorn. :) Let me know what you decide. Thanks for visiting today. Enjoy your weekend!
Hi Laura! Getting your braces off is the perfect reason to smile. You’re welcome for the reminder. That evening, our local news reporter who does the “good news” segment went out on the streets of downtown letting people know it was Smile Power Day. Have a great weekend and thanks so much for stopping by. :)
Hi Patsy! Oh, I know you’ve been smiling all week…and getting in a lot of drawing and painting. Yay you! Thanks for popping over. Enjoy your weekend! xo
Hi Kath! Aw…our mothers must be related because mine has the same smile. :) We are blessed indeed. Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you and the family are doing well.
Jill, I’m smiling reading this!! ?? The power of smiles is underrated and I love how it has its own day. This is one thing you don’t mind being contagious! ? Seeing my son’s beautiful smile always has me smiling too…his relaxed and happy self after a month of heavy exams has lightened all our spirits and summer has finally arrived with a vengeance! Smiles all round! Hugs xx
I’m happy this made you smile, Annika! I agree, it’s great that smiling has it’s own day of recognition. Thanks so much for stopping by and making me smile. <3
Spending time with my mom and my son makes me smile. I feel blessed to have both of them in my life!
Aw…I feel the exact same about my mother, Linda. We are both very blessed. Thanks for reading!
I am late but I am smiling to come to the inspyromance.com place where my friend Jill is! ?
I enjoy my grandchildren who shout and squeal, when I stop by their houses to get a hug, “Nana’s here!” I love their enthusiasm! ❤
I also had braces but mine came about at age 30 while it was a choice to end TMJ headaches. They could have broken my jaw and corrected my “bite” but given a choice, I took braces! :) Thanks for allowing my late comment, it is always a pleasure to be around my friend, Jill.
Aw…I love that, Robin! I can hear your grandies saying that now. They are so sweet!
Yikes! I would have gone with the braces too. How in the world do they break your jaw? Ouch! Thanks so much for popping over. It’s always great to see you. <3
Hi, Jill! Great post! I had the headgear and then the braces. Oh the agony. My teeth shifted an as adult–impacted wisdom teeth so now I have a bit of character to my lower front teeth. I smile at my dogs. All the time–they are the funniest creatures.