It was the first day of school, filled with excitement and anxiousness, plenty of rituals and lots of “unexpected” moments. No matter how many times we had done this day, with new sneakers, new backpacks and new cool clothes, no one ever seemed to grow tired of it. We once again awoke with smiles on our faces, the yearning for a hug and the hopes of ignoring the nervousness in our bellies. I had been teaching for 14 years and had been getting my sons ready for their first day of school for nearly 10 years. Yet no matter how many times we'd been here before, the moment that the big yellow bus arrived, was when all the comforts of what we “knew” were clearly out the window.

A smile is worth a thousand words. The next time you think that it’s not what you say, but how you say it, I ask you to consider that even more so, it’s what emotion you reveal before you even say a word. Are you aware of the message you send from the expression on your face? Are you aware that the person in front of you can receive a clear message about how you feel, before you even say hello? The power of your silence is incredible, but it isn’t just the silence alone, it’s what you do in that silence. Are there certain people in your life that make you automatically smile? Have you ever thought about how that person feels when being received that way? Probably not, though you might be surprised to find that a smile sends more of a message than the message itself.

Well, Oprah has not found me yet...but one of my articles has been published in a great book called: 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life. It is filled with great topics! Some examples are: You can find a satisfying career. You can conquer negativity. You can improve your health naturally. You can get out of debt. You can age with style. The articles are written on a wide range of topics: humor, fate, self-esteem, love and relationships, and dozens of others. There's something in here for everyone! It's an easy read and makes a great gift idea! For you or for someone you love! Click on the link below to read more about it and contact me if you'd like a copy.

Inspiring Words: To live a happier life, we must appreciate every detail of the present experience, because nothing will ever happen exactly the same way again.