Saturday, December 20, 2008

One, Two, Three - Say Cheese!

How difficult would it be for you to smile at a stranger in the grocery store next time you are there? That simple smile and acknowledgement of them as a fellow human being might be all that they need to pass your smile on to somebody else.

The findings of a study released recently by the Harvard Medical School and the University of California in San Diego and published 12/4/08 in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) pondered the effect of happiness on people, who know people, who know people, who know people. Happiness is passed along to three degrees of separation from yourself. And, it would appear that the happiness lasts up to a year’s time. Conversely, sadness does not travel through the network like happiness does.

Interestingly, the researchers used data that had already been compiled for a study of over 5,000 cardiovascular patients that spanned a period of 20 years.

Smile. You never know who is watching.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks for the link--especially in these times it's important to be reminded of how we can positively affect each other.

Donna said...

I Always smile...and hold doors...I LOVE happiness and laughter!LOL...there's just NO other way to be!
Much happiness and a lollipop Christmas to you sweetie!!hughugs