The definition of a smile, according to the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy of Spanish Language), is the action and effect of smiling. In a broader sense, we can say it’s an expression on a person’s face that brightens the eyes. This expression is formed by the moving muscles surrounding the mouth and eyes. A smile is generally associated with a state of joy, pleasure, contentment, sociability, etc.

Currently, we are celebrating our first 40 days of living in a country (Bogotá, Colombia) different from our own, marking our second time in almost four years.

Regarding the title of this article, I would like to share two anecdotes that occurred during our brief stay.

Shortly after arriving in Bogotá (exactly 20 days), I had the opportunity to attend a construction fair at Corferias for two consecutive days. This was to meet potential suppliers of construction finishes for our company in Peru. But since we don’t have our vehicle yet, I took an Uber, and here comes the first anecdote. There, I met and started a conversation with a man (Guillermo) who had visited Peru for work reasons. He immediately mentioned that I was Peruvian. He congratulated me on my new father. Likewise, he said, “He’s more Peruvian than American, and he’s from Chiclayo!” To which I replied, “I’m from Chiclayo too, and we have a saying in my homeland: ‘There’s no such thing as a bad Chiclayano.'” I’m telling you this, since my last name, Saldaña, is the one who never lies. We smiled and chatted away. Therefore, the trip seemed short, even reaching our destination, and we continued talking for at least another five minutes.

This Monday, my daughter Belén had to go to her first appointment with the orthodontist. According to what my wife Jessica told me, she was seen by a doctor who was initially serious, but since Belén is very cheerful, she passed it on to the doctor. He even told her, “You have a beautiful and contagious smile, Belén, and with the Bracket’s treatment we’re about to start, your smile will be even better.”

Aside from the fact that she’s my daughter, and I might have a biased or partial assessment, I believe it’s a gift or quality she has. In these 40 days in this neighboring country, she’s already made several friends from her new school, and in turn, some friends, with whom she’s already shared at least three “get-togethers,” as young people say today. She’s happy and always says, “Now I have friends in Peru, Argentina, and Colombia.”

What has been said reminds me of some obvious lessons, which perhaps we have forgotten or are dormant in our subconscious.

1. Smiling makes us more pleasant and approachable people.
2. When the smile is sincere, it breaks the initial ice.
3. If you smile with your eyes, the other person will even be able to see your soul.
4. How many things would change in our family, friendship, work, political, and other environments if we smiled more.

Now, I’m going to share some phrases associated with the topic.

• All people smile in the same language, Proverb.
• Wrinkles should only indicate where smiles have been, Mark Twain.
• A smile means a lot. It enriches the recipient, without impoverishing the giver. It lasts a second, but its memory, sometimes, never fades. – Charles Chaplin.

Don’t wait until the first Friday in October, when Smile Day is celebrated worldwide. Start now! Smile more often, and before you know it, you’ll see it’s become a habit.

So I encourage you not to give up; with our smiles, we can help change the world. Keep going, keep paddling against the current!