Come on: Give me a smile!

By Klaus Döring

I have been writing columns for several papers from all over the world since the early 1980’s. Since 1999, while residing in the Philippines for good, I experienced many ups and downs. Sometimes, while writing, I am indeed not in a good mood. I rewrote and rewrote.

A genuine smile involves the muscles around your eyes (the “Duchenne smile”), conveying positive emotions and strengthening social bonds according to Verywell Mind. Smiling also triggers the release of endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress.

Smiling is a powerful expression that can have both physical and social benefits. Here’s why:

Positive emotions: Smiling is often a result of experiencing happiness, and it can also be a way to express positive emotions to others according to Verywell Mind.

Smiling can signal friendliness and approachability, making it easier to connect with others.

Smiling, even a forced one, can trigger the release of endorphins, which have mood-enhancing effects.

Smiling can lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, promoting relaxation.

Smiling is linked to lower blood pressure and improved overall well-being.

Anyway, I will try my best. It’s actually a sweet day today, so sunny, so calm, so bright, it’s like the bridal of earth and heaven.  The grandeur  of  God flames out like shining from shook foil. I feel like the waves make towards the pebbled  shore.

I observed again a multinational couple somewhere in my neighborhood fighting each other. Gosh. Stupid people have an uncanny way of hitting the right nail on the head with the wrong hammer!

Maybe, you are also angry right now, while reading this. You are angry, even for others it’s a beautiful day. Are you angry? It’s okay. We are all battling against one of the most powerful emotions known to man – anger! Anger. A day rarely goes by without us feeling angry. Or,  maybe seldom a day goes by without feeling anger.

Anger is the main part of our daily life. That’s why it’s really important to talk about this phenomenon. What is anger, what does it do and how does it affect our lives? Where does it come from and how can we learn to handle it in a constructive instead of destructive way? Only, if the roots of our anger are exposed and explained, can we defuse its explosive and dangerous potentials.

As I said earlier, anger is one of the most basic emotions. Everyone can get angry. You and me? Now, later, tomorrow! It’s a feeling of being against something or someone.

Anger is a hostile emotion that sets people against one another, or even themselves. By its nature, anger involves opposition, hostility, hatred and dislike. It happened between Filipinos, and between Filipinos and foreigners as well, living here in the Philippines. It even happened at the political level right nowadays.

Anger, however, is simpler to define than to identity. Emotions of antagonism can take a wide variety of faces. Expressions of anger range from the overt, in-your-face brand of open hospitality to the cold indifference of a silent individual. At times, anger can be felt like an inner fire.

Millions of defense, not a damned penny for tribute. Anger between people: the one side remains cold as ice while the opposite plays meek as a lamb. Sige, burn the midnight oil! And what was the result at the end? A shadow of doubt remains after each fight getting its origin out of anger.

The silent withdrawal and lack of understanding  and innumerable shortcomings of one or both partners are often an indication that one is angrily punishing the other for not doing things his or her way.

We are all selfish! Yes, me too! That’s why we see the cause of anger as something outside of ourselves. Life is unfair! Life is hard!

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Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or X – Twitter or visit one on of my websites www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .