Learning to smile

  stars get in my eyes 
  Originally uploaded by cecily.

Cecily, whose online writing I've been reading for about a decade now, writes:

Being able to show a smile to the world is something that many people take for granted. Because of my crooked teeth, I’ve rarely been photographed with a full-on smile. I’m always posing with some half-assed Mona Lisa mug, hoping that my eyes, or the tilt of my head, or some other facial expression will make me seem happier, friendlier, or more approachable. There are a few photos of me where I almost pull it off, but even so, I’ve always felt guarded and reserved because I was so ashamed of my teeth.

In our society, smiles are currency. They are usually given freely and exchanged once people have reached a certain similarity of feeling. When you’re walking down the street and someone attractive catches your eye, you first make eye contact and, in the very next instant, smile at the person to let them know that you see just how good they look. When all you can do is make eye contact, you’re only giving half of yourself. In that instant where you decide to conceal your smile, you’ve managed to deconstruct the bridge between you and that other person. Speaking from experience, it’s difficult to cross that gap once the connection has been broken.

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Photo copyright Cecily Walker