There is a student in my summer school class who has an amazing approach to life. No matter what is going on or who he meets, he greets life with a smile. When someone does something worthy of praise, he is the first to congratulate them. This young man is likely the only person to ever walk into an elementary school cafeteria with open arms and exclaim, “I love this place!”
Being around this bundle of joy is a breath of fresh air. He carries his smile with him everywhere he goes. He is not concerned with what others might think of him. This kid is living proof that our attitude is not based on outside conditions or relationships. Our attitude is something that we can work on. We can choose the attitude we bring into situations.
Too often, we get so bogged down by negative stories, memories, worries, and fears that we lose touch with our smile. We believe that our checklist of problems must be remedied before we can be happy again. This is simply not true. While it is not always easy, we can choose to smile and laugh no matter what is going on. This is possible when we recognize that who we are is bigger than any circumstance.
Actor Steven Szydlo stopped by our class to teach a short-acting lesson on choosing to smile and laugh. Szydlo started his lesson by making himself cry. He shared that at one point in his life he would make himself cry to get what he wanted. He let everyone know that he has since changed his approach. He now practices choosing to cultivate a relaxed, positive attitude. He learned that smiling and sharing his gifts with others is the best way to get what he wants. The students nodded and smiled as they related to what he was sharing.
Next, Szydlo demonstrated how easy it is to generate laughter and a smile from within. He started by grabbing his belly like Santa Claus, letting out a bellowing, “ho ho ho!” As the class followed along, genuine laughter erupted. The students then took turns leading the group in laughter. Each student added their own style to the laugh. It became clear that it is just as easy to choose laughter and joy as it is to believe negative, self-defeating stories.
Perhaps you have found yourself stuck in a cycle of reacting to life by pouting, complaining, or feeling self-pity. What would happen if you decided to laugh at it all? Take some time, alone if you feel more comfortable, to step back and refresh your perspective. Try pointing and laughing at whatever has been bothering you. Chuckle at the thought that an outside situation has power over you. Then watch as your mood lifts and you receive fresh energy and inspiration. With a little practice, you will find yourself throwing out your arms and exclaiming, “I love this place!”
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District and the cohost of the inspirational podcast “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” on iTunes. For questions, comments, and ideas for future columns, send an email to EdwardBiagiotti@ccusd.org