This I Believe

To me, a smile is beautiful on anyone- young, old, male, female, Spanish, or Asian. A smile knows no age, no race, and no gender.

I believe in smiling. It is a universal symbol of happiness. Two people from two completely different cultures with seemingly endless differences can talk to each other through a smile. Without words, someone can understand another person’s emotions despite language and cultural barriers. This amazes me.

No matter your age, ethnicity, or gender, a smile means joyfulness. A smile can diffuse an argument or relieve a tense moment. It can open up the door for understanding and compromise. In a sea of strange and new faces, a smile is welcoming. A smile is a friend in a lonely or unfamiliar place. A smile is forgiveness without words, or the sharing of amusement. With a smile, discomfort can be eased and sadness can be cured. These situations are constant throughout the world. A smile is never misinterpreted as a bleak emotion. With a faint upturning of the corners of your mouth, you can communicate with the world.

I think, too many times as a society, we focus on our differences with other people of other cultures. No matter what wars are going on or what countries dislike one another, we all have one thing in common- the ability to smile. A smile is one thing that everyone in the world can appreciate and understand. It may seem insignificant or far-fetched, but I believe identifying small similarities between people and cultures can lead to a more peaceful world.

A smile is radiant and beautiful. People are drawn to those who smile often. When one surrounds themselves with laughter and cheerfulness, it positively affects those around them. A smile unites people of all races and all ages despite cultural differences. A smile can unite the world. The first step towards peace is a smile.