The Secret to Finding Joy is in Your Smile

Hello friends!
 
Today, I'm going to share with you the Bula Smile! I’m continuing to share some of my experiences from Fiji with you in this blog, bringing a little bit of Fiji back home!
 
So, what is a Bula smile?
 
I first heard of the Bula smile when one of the local Fijians actually told me that I have a Bula Smile! Always one to welcome a compliment, and assuming that it was a compliment (haha!), I responded, “Thanks! What’s that?” She told me that the Bula smile is how Fijians greet each other, and it means that when they see another person, the first thing they do is smile! Then, they say “Bula!” Bula is the Fijian word for “Hello.”
 
I absolutely love this! What a beautiful idea and practice that when we see another person, the first thing we do is smile, from our heart to theirs, we smile. It’s such a simple idea and one that I’ve carried with me in my heart since returning from my trip. Here in the States, we generally live in a really fast paced culture. I live right outside of Washington DC, and so I can certainly say that this area tends to be quite fast-paced! And so, living in this fast-paced environment, it can be so easy to get stuck in our heads, thinking about all the things that we're working on and all that we have to do for the day. As a result, so many of us, myself included at times, walk with our heads hanging down by the sheer heaviness of carrying all that we feel we need to do. When we do this, we totally miss out on connecting with the people around us.
 
So, what if we just look up, instead? What if we step out of our heads, and just look at one another and smile? It’s a simple idea, but how often do we really do it? And so, I totally know that this might sound a little cheesy, but isn't it just so beautiful at the same time?
 
I invite you to practice this in your own daily life, and then just notice 2 things:

1. Notice how you feel
   How does it feel in your body when you smile really big at someone, even someone you have never met before?
2. Notice how your smile affects the people around you.
   ​Some people may smile and engage in conversation; others may feel uncomfortable because this is something new for them to experience. So, their reaction may vary, but more often than not, I can say from my own experience, people respond with a smile. More often than not, I notice how it lifts their day, and then I go back to #1 and notice how I also feel even better! It ends up being this beautiful circle of love and positivity!

 
So, as always, let me know how this practice resonates with you! It might feel a little awkward when you first start, just because it is something new. But, I guarantee, you will instantly be lit up with joy when you do it, and as a bonus it will light up all those around you as well! So, leave a comment to let me know how this practice goes for you. And, if you like what you’ve been reading, then share it with a friend!
 
With that, I'm sending you a smile and so much love!!