baby smile

Photo by Snowlily321

Today is back to work for many of us who took a hiatus yesterday. With kids out of school, President's Day wasn't exactly an oasis of tranquility around my house. But we did smile a lot. Especially when the toddler held the puppy upside-down, and then tried to put the dog in the toilet. The puppy seemed to like the fiasco, but I used my good judgment and rescued her.

I just have to be honest. After a three-day weekend, I'm a crank this morning.

But I just read that I need to smile no matter what. It's good for me. Have you smiled today?

According to one of my favorite bloggers, Carole Carson of Community Meltdown, smiling should become our favorite exercise. This is good news since I'm looking for an excuse to skip abs class in two hours.

Smiling does these shiny, happy things:

  • Reduces stress by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
  • Improves the immune system.
  • Makes us feel better instantly.

Smiling is my plan for today. But I'm not sure I can do it. Here is a joke that might help those of us who feel grumpier than Dick Cheney this morning:

98 percent of Americans say, "Oh s#!@ before going into a ditch on a slippery road.

The other 2 percent are from Kentucky, and we say, "Hold my beer, I'm gonna try something here."

If that doesn't work, check out Joaquin Phoenix on David Letterman last week.

Tell me something that might make you smile today. Or if you're grumpy, why?