The Art of Smiling

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word,
a listening ear, and honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
– Leo F. Buscaglia

Last week I facilitated a training on using psychology as marketing tool to about 80 sales representatives of a company. I know from the onset of the training that they were expecting for the typically serious (and boring!) discussion on marketing theories...so it came as a surprise when I gave them a session on the art of smiling. :-)

I always believe that going back to the basics is the greatest marketing tool. Many marketing experts may not agree with me on this but as a practising psychologist,I am a firm believer that a single smile can make a huge difference in reaching out to people. It's the most inexpensive tool too! You need no money, expensive gifts, words, no extra thoughts and explanations... Just a simple smile:) It says a lot. I emphasized in my session that practising and perfecting the art of smiling (i mean genuine smile) can open doors of diverse relationships. Actually, there isn’t any art behind it. A smile is so simple, yet so powerful. Smile can have ultimate effects which I believe every marketing expert should know and internalize:


1. Of course--smile will bring attraction! I don’t mean sexually (well, maybe that too), but people will feel drawn to your energy with a simple smile. When you smile more, you will carry an aura and poise that will draw people to you. People will look forward to being around you, knowing only that they feel great around you. We all like and want to be around happy and cheerful people, right? smile has the power to make other people feel good about themselves. It’s heart-warming and has the power to cheer up others instantly.


2. SMILE will let you feel more positive about yourself and the world. Remember that smile is an expression of happiness and joy. Like an upward spiral, a smile will boost happiness and like a virus---happiness will be contagious! Others can quickly and easily catch it and will experience the side effects.So, why wait? Infect as many people as you can and believe me--in no time---you will make a difference!


3, Physically and Psychologically, SMILE can also affect your internal state, which can have physiological impact on your physical and mental health. I always tell people that when we smile, our brain produces "feel good hormones" which are at the same time our natural pain relievers!

4. SMILE will definitely open doors of friendship.Smile is strong indicator of a welcoming attitude and sure, this will make people feel more at ease with you.

So, do not be afraid to take the smiling challenge!

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he will see all day.

A Rare Workshop for Bicolano Psychosocial Helping Professionals

Calling All Bicolano Psychosocial Helping Professionals!

The Children and Youth Wellness Technical and Advocacy Center (CYWTAC), Inc organized a one day “Seminar-Workshop on Handling Difficult Clients through Compassionate Therapy” on May 31, 2010 (Monday) at Jardin de Consolacion Hall, Casa de Abuela, 18 Vinzons St., Old Albay, Legazpi City. This seminar will be facilitated by Dr. Benedicta Lascano, Guidance Service Specialist, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. This seminar is open to counselors, teachers, social workers and other psychosocial-helping professionals. This seminar will delve on helping clients with emotional difficulties through the application of Compassion Therapy. This therapy operates on the principle that clients are responsible for their own well-being and if assisted properly, they can later develop sensitivity to their own needs and desires and help themselves better.

A minimal registration fee of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) will be collected to cover the meals, kit, certificate and materials for the one day seminar. This seminar is designed for small number of participants, so first reservation, first confirmation will be applied. Priority will be given to those who will pre-register via text or email on or before May 30, 2010 in any of the following contact details:

09215883900 (SMART)
09228670942 (SUN)
09178651901 (Globe)
Email: nethpenetrante@yahoo.com

Endless fear for Election 2010

Like any unprepared company for a major breakthrough--my country is now battling to keep its chaotically and violence-filled election on schedule following a glitch in electronic balloting machines that were being introduced for the first time.Volunteers reported computer problems in other parts of Manila as well as Batangas province. Some machines in four Manila municipalities didn’t report votes as marked on test ballots.

Honestly, now I know obviously why many of my countrymen are against this new scheme---the election haven't started yet but the glitches are so vivid that failure of election is a BIG possibility! I'm just afraid that the billions of pesos placed by the government on this machinery would turn to ashes! I just can't stop my brain in cracking the possibility that the money which had been borrowed from the World Bank appears to have again been used to line the pockets of crooks in government and their cronies without giving the people the service that is due us. I cant wait to see how this election will become...I just hope that the Filipino people will not be robbed of our money and most probably our right to have clean and credible elections. Whatever happens after May 10, i feel strongly that we need to be very vigilant especially against those who have enriched themselves at the expense of the country so that they will be made to pay without FEAR and compromise and made an example for all to see that crime does not pay. May we all have the grace to know what to do in the next months and act on it.

Loving My Yoga Mat!

I admit, I had been a lazy head these past months! Its been a while since I practiced my hatha yoga or even my morning walks! Just last night though, I rediscovered the benefit of yoga and once again, it made me feel really better!When a friend asked me to have an hour of yoga session with her, I started loving this "me" time. Concentrating so intently on what my body is doing has the effect of bringing calmness to my mind. That inicdent also introduced me to meditation (which I practise irregularly) which help me calm my mind. With my daily troubles, both large and small, i learned to appreciate the peace of mind that meditation and yoga can only deliver. Believe me, it provided me the much-needed break from my stressors as well as helped put out things into proper perspectives. Now, Im again loving my yoga mat!