I had not spent much time considering what a smile can bring to a relationship or situation until last week. My Chinese coworker mentioned that she loves how my smile lights up the room. I have never considered myself a very smiley person or pondered what I could bring to a room through my presence before. Her comment got me thinking about what a smile communicates: warmth, joy, love, respect, and consideration for others. If you do not like a person you are not going to exert the energy to smile.
As I have reflected back on her words, I am increasingly thankful for her feedback. Though I am trying very hard to learn the language, my communication skills are survival at best. I often get internally frustrated by my language limitations because there is so much that I want to say to people that I am currently unable to express in Mandarin. Smiling, however, makes up for my limited vocabulary. I do not need to say out loud how much I respect, admire, or am proud of a woman for making substantial changes in their life because that can be communicated through a beaming smile of pride. I can let a woman trapped in exploitation know that she is valuable, consequential and precious in His sight through my smile. I can bring His hope into a hopeless situation through my nonverbal communication skills.
Something as simple as moving a few muscles can make all the difference!
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