"Bringing you encouragement from the simple things in life"
The Express Way
William Addis - The Man who Made the World Smile!
Ever heard of William Addis?
Addis, an Englishman, is credited with inventing a device to improve dental health.
That’s right, he created the prototype of the modern toothbrush.
Though the circumstances enveloping his invention didn’t curl a smile on his face, you’d be hard pressed to count the smiles he’s responsible for because of his creation.
Here’s how his journey began.
In 1780, Addis was behind bars for inciting a riot.
Not exactly the ideal situation to engineer a product that we all depend on!
Imagine the musty smell of his cell as he picked up a rag to “brush” his teeth.
Just the thought can turn your stomach.
William Addis knew that there had to be a better way!
So, as the story goes …
He found a piece of bone in his prison meal.
After making holes in one end of the bone, Addis took bristles from a broom in his cell, and glued them in place.
His ingenuity laid the bricks to form Wisdom Toothbrushes, a company that made him rich.
The next time you stand over a sink to brush your teeth, think of William Addis – the man who made the world smile.
But here’s the connection: while wearing a smile showcasing glistening white teeth is impressive … making others smile is much more impressive.
There are several ways to make others smile.
· Tell a good joke.
· Weave a story prompting your audience to gift you smiles.
· Smile at someone (usually, they’ll return the behavior).
But I want to corral your attention to yet another way to make others smile.
One that requires a continual process.
One that you should habitually practice.
What is it?
Encouraging others!
It’s a learned skill.
Sure, there are varying levels of encouragers.
Some are better than others due to their personality.
Others are on the low end of this skill set because life hasn’t been too good to them. I mean, it’d be difficult to extend encouragement if you rarely received it yourself.
Whether you’re tweaking, or in some cases building the skill of encouraging others, you can change the world around you – one smile at a time.
I love what Dolly Parton said about smiling: “If you see someone without a smile today, give ‘em yours.”
So, how many smiles have you given away today?
Here’s your Principle, a Plan, a Positive Approach to Follow, and a Podcast.
Principle
A smile doesn’t cost you anything, and yet it’s priceless.
Plan
Make a list of people who are unaccustomed to smiling. Take them on as a long-term project, transforming them into happier individuals.
A Positive Approach to Follow
A smile has no geographical boundaries. It's a universal language, understood by all. It’s beneficial to both the giver and the receiver.
Podcast
Here's an awesome YouTube of psychotherapist Dr. Robi Ludwig explaining the benefits of smiling.
One more word ... Is there a personal development topic that you'd like for me to write on? Send me your suggestions at howellbigham@theencouragementexpress.com
Let’s encourage each other,
-Howell
About The Encouragement Express
Thanks for visiting The Encouragement Express!
I'm Howell Bigham, and I'm the writer behind all the posts.
Are you looking for powerful principles to guide you in building strong relationships, enviable work habits, and unbelievable personal growth? Then you're at the right site!
In The Encouragement Express you'll discover awesome lessons hidden in objects that you use daily. You'll meet fascinating people from the past who invented these often overlooked creations.
You'll receive a Principle, a Plan, a Positive Approach, and a Podcast in each newsletter.
You'll also get a spiritual Vitamin E(ncouragement) for personal growth, motivational quotes from mouths of the past, a word for the week, and motivational music!
If you want positive, life-building stories to kick-start your day, you'll love The Encouragement Express!
Vitamin E(ncouragement)
Here's your weekly spiritual vitamin!
“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
– Proverbs 15:13 (KJV)
Motivating Mouths
"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been."
- Mark Twain
Word of the Week
"Grin" - a wide smile
-Cambridge Dictionary
Moving Music
Listen to James Taylor sing "Your Smiling Face."
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