28/8/2016 – Winning Friends

I must confess that when I sat down to write this 12 hours ago, I was terrified that I would bore you all, and to be honest, I still am.

At first it felt like such an uneventful day especially compared to last Sunday – Today there was only one nude (Boruit is looking at a hefty fine!) and the combination of shivering, lateness and broken goggles meant that the photos appeared less than spectacular.

But on closer inspection they (unintentionally) captured one of the most important forms of successful human interaction that we can always do more of – smile.

Dale Carnegie related it to what happens when a dog runs towards you with that grin on his face. When this happens, most of us feel so much joy, which does not diminish when that mutt slobbers and drools all over you or even when he uses your leg to remember that last trip to the dog park – you still can’t help but be happy.

Sort of like the joy you get when you see this dog

 

So please forgive the lack of quality photography, pathetic attempts at imitating Lainey’s amazing underwater snaps and try to simply take note of the effect a smile can have on those around you!

 

This is not an advertisement for how happy an Orca can make you compared to the other brands, it’s simply an ad for how happy a smile can make your audience.

 

Dave knows the trick only too well

Here are those pitiful underwater photos I was talking about

 

 

But the most powerful ‘smiler’ showed their teeth at Shelley,

This was the before shot..

 

And now after the smiler had joined in.

Then he got a bit keen on the camera

 

And sure he’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but what a contagius smile!

 

This was another classic grin, and I am sure that as this young one already imitates Sterlo in his choice of jackets and coffee (large double decaf soy mocha),

 

he will soon start imitating that smile too.

 

Note how those smiling seem happier, than say, those playing Pokemon Go.

 

The smile will always win

 

 

And catch on

 

 

I evesdropped on this rather serious conversation about the bloggers’ camera placement but rather than arguing, Leslie employed a few other Carnegie principles and got her point across to all of us male bloggers without anyone losing face…

Men: As male bloggers, we feel that the camera should be placed down the front because the camera should never be too far from a tripod

Leslie: (concealing laughter) I think it is great that you wish to keep the camera near a tripod. But I also always try to remember that the camera has tiny holes on the back and should anything enter those tiny holes, it may damage the camera.

I am sure it will be camera down the back from now on!

  

And that contagious smile returned again.

 

 

And here is Greg, trying to teach me how its’ done.

 

 

So as you go about your week – and on today, Monday, of all days, try to remember these nice words that a New York Department store had up around Christmas time (but relevant everyday)… and even worth having a listen to Carnegie here.

 

The Value of A Smile At Christmas

It costs nothing but creates much.

It enriches those who receive without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash, and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature’s best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody until it is given away.

And if in the last minute rush of Christmas buying, some of our sales people should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours? For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give.

 

Have a great week!

Gino

 

p.s. all good photos were courtesy of Jan

p.p.s. sorry about betraying principle 6 for so many people in photos