Yesterday I saw someone I’ve known for a very long time, and I hardly recognized her. I see her a lot, so it wasn’t as if she had undergone some major physical transformation–hair, weight, etc.–that took me by surprise. Her face was just different.

After a few seconds, I realized what had changed her so. It was her smile. Of course, I’ve seen her smile thousands of times, but something made this one stand out. It was deep. It was genuine. It was transforming.

It struck me then that a smile–a true, soul-driven smile–can make anyone beautiful. Or handsome, as the case may be. When it goes that deep, no one can see anything else. It reminded me to smile more, to seek things that fill me with joy. To share the joy with others. That girl has some good things going on, and everyone can feel the energy.

Even someone looking in the mirror.