It is curious to smile.
Our lips can stay pressed,
lift at the corners,
or open our lips, revealing our teeth,
and allowing an energy to pour out
touching everyone around.
A smile crinkles the eyes.
It expresses joy and warmth
from the inside out.
It is a gift to others,
saying hello, how are you
or what a delight to see you.
Smiles can express moments of
pure happiness
breaking into laughter.
Opening us in such a way
that it reveals a long corridor
arriving at the opening of our hearts.
A smile is like a marionette
with strings lifting the latch of the heart’s door
where the story begins.
Out of the heart, along the corridors,
comes a free breeze of warmth
that exudes itself upon arrival
in the mouth that chooses to express itself
with a luminous smile.
It fills the air around.
It radiates warmth and love and interest and laughter.
The head, like a marionette’s dance,
raises up and back with a breath,
as deep as the belly,
releasing all the joy of being present
to enjoy and share the moment with another.
A smile is worth a thousand words,
A smile is just a smile.
Palm to palm, chin to chest
I smile.
writing exercise by Jillian
photography by Jillian in Paris