Smile when I'm mad or upset

i dont wanna be a downer but, dont. i have done this since i was about 8 and its totally messed me up. friends and family get aggitated when i do this and i cant stop. but to each his own.

one more try before I take it off of my list…

This is proving to be very difficult. So far, I haven’t had much success. When I feel angry or upset, even if I think of trying this out, I can’t seem to make myself smile. I’m too busy experiencing the emotion and trying to avoid the situation so it doesn’t escalate. Will have to work on this.

This sounds like an excellent idea. It will probably be a great struggle for me, because my emotions usually tend to get the best of me and when I’m angry I tend to try to get as far away from the situation as possible. But if I think of it, I will try it!

It’s hard to do. Everyone should try this. Of course, the only reason it’s hard to smile is because you want to hold on to the anger or sadness. But what is the benefit of that? There is no joy in being angry or sad. Why would we want to be angry or upset? I’ve tried it out a few times today when I was upset about some little stuff(can’t remember any of it, just general crankiness still from the flu) and it’s quite amazing. I could feel the mood change migrate from my face all through my body. Wow!

Today my boyfriend and I were talking about our relationship and how we can improve it more. I am sick with the flu so I’m a bit cranky and short tempered but he spent the day with me trying to help me feel better. Anyways, off topic, he suggested that next time I feel mad or upset that I just smile. He says he’s been doing this and just the action of smiling seems to trick the body into calming down. In the past year he has been so much better when we argue about stupid stuff, he seems to just be able to brush it off. I’ve been amazed an envious of this new skill he aquired. I will definitely try it next time.