Day 12

Let's not forget now that this is 40 tips for a better life. And this tip makes for a better life for you AND for those around you!

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

One of my older brothers taught me to leave people opposite what they were when you met them. As an example he demonstrated this to me while walking into a convenience store, the clerk was pretty pleasant so Tim said some whacky stuff and walked out. The clerk was confused. Then at another store Tim went up to the disgruntled clerk and acted very, very funny, and we left leaving that clerk with a huge smile. But then again, Tim did that all the time!

Okay, so I made the three most important people in my life today smile. Nicholas always wakes up with a smile when I open his door. And he put a huge smile on my face when he told me "I go potty" and headed into the bathroom! Woohoo! Potty training success - BIG SMILE! - first time he successfully initiated it himself! And Jazzy came at me with a smile when I let her crawl into bed with me early this morning. Daddy smiled back at me when I agreed to let him sleep another hour. Lucky thing it said only three because that's all I've come in contact with today!

So, here's the deal. I'm going to try to do this every day but changing it a little to read a minimum of three people, and no maximum.

Just remember, a smile is contagious and can always be returned. And some days the most important person in the world needing a smile is the one in the mirror.

I love you!