May Newsletter - Mother's Day and Smiles

Posted by Mindy Tulsi-Ingram on 2nd May 2024

May Newsletter - Mother's Day and Smiles



Mothers' Tricks



Mothers are super special, and my mom had super powers, which included:
  • Her ability to find any of her kids’ lost items – and she had 10 children.
  • Tasting something in a restaurant and then making the same dish for us at home.
  • Knowing what and how you are feeling and how to quickly ward off a cold or headache.
Not all mothers fit this description, but for some of us lucky ones, many mothers do.

Mothers seem to know everything, they can solve almost every problem including finding our missing socks and Tupperware lids that seem to vanish into the abyss.

How did she do it all?

Mothers’ intuition is notorious as they have the ability to sense when something is wrong, and are able to provide us with extra care and attention we need.

They are known for problem solving, multitasking and remaining calm, while worrying and stressing over the challenges we faced. And in a seemingly effortless way they taught us values, morals and life skills.

Selfless and showing empathy and support, they are our “rock” while they could be laughing or crying on the inside as we found our way.


Mothers’ Day, observed on the second Sunday in May, falls on May 12, this year. It’s an opportunity for us to take the time to acknowledge and thank our mothers for all they do and all they give. Biological mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, aunts and other family members or friends who played a significant and meaningful role in our lives, are celebrated on Mothers’ Day.

You can pamper them to make them feel special. It’s an opportunity to recognize the contributions of mothers to our lives.

Check out our website for thoughtful, quality expressions of your love.

Appreciation for your mother doesn’t have to be expressed on a particular day. Recently, my son who is working in the UK called to say how much he appreciated me, and it was the best Mothers’ Day present I could receive. So don’t wait for a special assigned day to do so. Your mom will be happy to hear from you anytime.

Intuition

 
We all would love to have super powers, wouldn’t we? When thinking of super powers, do we ever think about intuition? Instead of having a crystal ball to predict the future, intuition can help us make important decisions.

Looking back and reflecting, I know that my mom perfected hers through sharpening her powers of observation.

We all know about mothers’ intuition, but we all have intuition. Often referred to as gut feelings, intuition is present within all of us. How do we tap into it?

We get new information, repetitive thoughts and subconscious signals all the time, but often don’t recognize it as we don’t know anything about the subject.

Intuition relies on ‘pattern matching ‘as the mind searches our long-term memory for similar patterns or situations and subconsciously proposes solutions based on them. It serves the brain’s need to predict and prepare for what will happen next.

Gut feelings are crucial to decision making. Even when we are presented with mounds of data and facts, we often feel more comfortable going with our gut feelings.

Sometimes intuition kicks in when we are under pressure or in danger, and don’t have time to sit down and analyze a situation. The immediate benefit of gut decision-making relating to daily activities is that we get things done, avoid procrastination, and feel happier.

For major decisions or life choices, intuition (which can include biases and reasoning errors) should be combined with carefully considering all options and outcomes before making a decision.

In his book, Thinking, Fast And Slow, Daniel Kahneman discusses System One, which is fast, intuitive, and emotional, and System Two, which is slower, more deliberate and logical. He explores how the mind works and offers insights into how we make our personal and business choices.

Many successful people know how to use intuition to become more effective. They are able to make better, faster and more confident decisions by acting on intuition.

How to use your Intuition
  • Be aware of learning new cues, alerting you to information, and knowing that they are there to guide your decisions.
  • Be open and willing to follow your curiosity to receive this information.
  • Having clear goals and self-awareness allows you to focus and your intuition to engage, instead of relying on memory.
Decision-making based on intuitive insight combined with rational analysis will carry us through.

The Power of Smile



We all have super powers. In addition to intuition, another one of our super powers is the power of our smile.

It is a universal form of communication which spreads goodwill, so whatever our language or cultural differences, a smile is our super power.

Smiling is contagious. It has a dual effect – the person smiling is happy, and the person seeing the smile becomes happy too, creating a cycle of positivity which increases trust, communication and cooperation.

We become more attractive when we smile, and people are drawn to us as we appear more confident, likeable and approachable.

There are many health benefits related to smiling.
  • Moods are improved due to the release of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. These chemical reactions in the brain increase our feelings of happiness and well-being.
  • Our physical health is improved. Blood pressure is lowered, stress levels are reduced by lowering the production of cortisol, and our immune system is strengthened.
  • Frequent smiling combined with a positive outlook reduces tension, resulting in a more balanced emotional state and better physical health.
Smiling (even if it’s only a small movement of the facial muscles used to smile, combined with the associated changes in your face and eyes) is the most recognizable expression of happiness.

An Ohio State University study found that there are 35 universally accepted facial expressions, and 17 of these are expressions of happiness, making it the most dominant human expression.

Although the common saying that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile is debatable, the benefits of smiling win ‘hands down’ as a smile spreads positivity by uplifting spirits, making connections and spreading happiness.

The best way to break down barriers and create a sense of unity is through a smile as it conveys friendliness, approachability and enhances social connections.

In our work environment, smiles are a powerful tool for success as smiling promotes a positive and productive attitude and better relationships with coworkers, clients and associates.

“A smile remains the most inexpensive gift I can bestow on anyone and yet its powers can vanquish kingdoms.” ― Og Mandino

Here’s to your smile!
All the Best,