There is an ancient Taoist practice called the Inner Smile. According to teacher and author, Michael Winn, "the Inner Smile is a simple, effortless meditation on how to live with an open heart. You can practice it sitting quietly, or while engaged in everyday activities. The Inner Smile as a practice challenges you, in a series of  'smiling baby steps', to unconditionally accept every aspect of your body, mind, and spirit."

As you're reading this text, play with the notion of your inner smile....maybe by taking deeper breaths, appreciating this moment, slowing down your thoughts, putting attention inside, connecting with your heart, allowing something still and sweet to surface. Does that feel like an inner smile?

Smiling, which is different from laughter, is more subtle and inward. "Smiling is less about emotions, which are our response to outer life events, and more about subtle feeling," continues Michael Winn. Smiling connects you to your inner heart....your true spirit. 

So when you're busy, your to-do list just doubled, and it's time to make a big presentation (or whatever task puts the pressure on!), remember, energy follows attention; so take a moment and:

-close your eyes,

-breathe smiles in and out of your heart;

-keep your attention inside, smiling into your heart,

-allow yourself to become more settled...."okay" with your world;

-feel the pleasure of your breath moving in and out of your heart,

-and notice your inner smile is now also an outer smile!

Smiling helps release tension and brings you back to yourself. It becomes easier to be more present. Smiling relaxes the body, slows down your breaths, quiets your thoughts, and radiates warmth and connection. "What could be easier than simply smiling?"

So now it's you and Mona Lisa and a mysterious inner smile that melts stuck places—as well as hearts. Yours, his, and whatever worlds you want to awaken!