Hiking at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park
As you look at the photos of our hiking trip, you may notice that the kids are smiling much better in the last photo. There is a reason for this. First, it's cultural. Many Asians do not smile when having their picture taken. But there was more to it than that. Maybe hiking 4 miles wasn't their favorite thing to do at the time. Maybe one gloomy face spread like a bad cold to the others.
At any rate, after seeing their gloomy faces as I took their picture before the hike, I took them over under a shade tree and explained to them how we can change our moods simply by using our facial muscles differently. We did some exercises such as trying to feel sad while smiling, or trying not to smile when someone across from us was laughing heartily. After we laughed a while, everyone noticed their mood had improved.
The Bible teaches that the mind can control the body, and the heart responds to what your mind and body do or have done. Matthew 6:19-21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I wish I had discovered this secret as a young person. I couldn't understand the relationship between feelings and actions like I do now. Next time you're down or feel angry, try forcing yourself to smile or go do something pleasant to change your mood. See if taking corrective action first doesn't make you less sad or angry.
As you look at the photos of our hiking trip, you may notice that the kids are smiling much better in the last photo. There is a reason for this. First, it's cultural. Many Asians do not smile when having their picture taken. But there was more to it than that. Maybe hiking 4 miles wasn't their favorite thing to do at the time. Maybe one gloomy face spread like a bad cold to the others.
At any rate, after seeing their gloomy faces as I took their picture before the hike, I took them over under a shade tree and explained to them how we can change our moods simply by using our facial muscles differently. We did some exercises such as trying to feel sad while smiling, or trying not to smile when someone across from us was laughing heartily. After we laughed a while, everyone noticed their mood had improved.
The Bible teaches that the mind can control the body, and the heart responds to what your mind and body do or have done. Matthew 6:19-21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I wish I had discovered this secret as a young person. I couldn't understand the relationship between feelings and actions like I do now. Next time you're down or feel angry, try forcing yourself to smile or go do something pleasant to change your mood. See if taking corrective action first doesn't make you less sad or angry.
Now that's better!
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