Smiles are Contagious | Giovanni Maroki | TEDxKids@ElCajon

TEDx Talks

23 May 201802:18

Summary

TLDRThe speaker emphasizes the contagious power of a smile, sharing personal experiences that highlight how a simple smile can uplift spirits and improve relationships. From a child's kindness to a grandparent's love, the narrative underscores the value of smiling as a free yet priceless act that can make the world a better place. The speech concludes with an inspiring call to action to spread smiles globally.

Takeaways

😀 Smiling at others is a natural and contagious way to spread positivity.
😊 A smile can instantly lift one's mood, even on a bad day.
😔 Kindness and a smile can help overcome negative experiences.
🌞 Smiling at people is a costless act that brings immense value to both the giver and receiver.
🌈 Each smile sent to someone is like sending sunshine into their lives.
🏥 Even in difficult situations like being unable to visit a loved one, a smile can bridge the distance.
❤️ A smile shared through a screen can convey deep love and connection.
💰 Smiles are priceless and cannot be bought, borrowed, or stolen, yet their worth is immeasurable.
🌍 Smiling can be a powerful force for making the world a better place.
🚶‍♂️ A simple smile can have a profound impact on others, and its goodness is often unknowable.

Q & A

What is the speaker's initial reaction when meeting someone for the first time?
-The speaker's initial reaction is to smile, even before saying 'Hello!'
How does a smile from someone make the speaker feel?
-A smile from someone makes the speaker feel good, and it can improve their mood even on a bad day.
Can you describe a situation where a smile helped the speaker overcome sadness?
-When a kid was not nice and wouldn't let the speaker play, a friend's smile and invitation to play lifted the speaker's spirits.
Why does the speaker like to smile at people?
-The speaker likes to smile at people because it costs nothing but is worth a lot, and it brings sunshine into others' lives.
What did the speaker do when they couldn't visit their grandpa in the hospital?
-The speaker decided to Facetime their grandpa, and their mutual smiles conveyed unexplainable love.
What is unique about a smile according to the speaker?
-A smile is unique because it cannot be bought, borrowed, or stolen, yet its value is endless.
What does the speaker believe about the power of smiling?
-The speaker believes that smiling is the greatest power ever and can make the world a better place.
What advice does the speaker give for interacting with others?
-The speaker advises to look at people and give them a nice big friendly smile because it feels great for both parties.
What is the speaker's final message about the impact of a simple smile?
-The speaker emphasizes that we shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do and encourages spreading it across the world.
How does the audience react to the speaker's message about smiling?
-The audience reacts positively with applause and cheers, showing their agreement and appreciation for the message.
What is the underlying theme of the script?
-The underlying theme is the contagious and powerful nature of smiles and their ability to positively impact lives.

Outlines

00:00

😀 The Power of a Smile

The script emphasizes the contagious and uplifting nature of smiles. It starts with the narrator's personal habit of smiling at new acquaintances, highlighting how it can improve one's mood and turn a bad day around. The story of a child who was initially excluded but then felt better due to a friend's smile illustrates the healing power of a smile. The narrator believes that smiling is a free yet invaluable gesture that brings joy and sunshine into people's lives. The script also recounts a touching moment between the narrator and their hospitalized grandpa, showing that even in difficult times, a smile can convey deep love and connection. The narrator concludes by advocating for more smiling faces in the world, asserting that a smile is a powerful force for good and can make the world a better place. The audience's applause and cheers underscore the shared sentiment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Smile

A smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles around the mouth. It is universally recognized as a sign of happiness, friendliness, and goodwill. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the contagious nature of smiles and their ability to improve one's mood and the atmosphere around them. The script illustrates this with personal anecdotes, such as feeling better on a bad day when someone smiles at them.

💡Contagious

Contagious refers to the ability of a feeling, behavior, or characteristic to spread from one person to another. In the context of the video, the speaker uses 'contagious' to describe how a smile can easily influence others to feel positive emotions, much like a virus spreads from one person to another, but in a positive way.

💡Kindness

Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. In the script, the speaker recounts an instance where a friend's smile and kindness lifted their spirits after feeling sad due to a negative interaction with a child. This highlights the power of kindness, especially when combined with a smile, to provide emotional support and comfort.

💡Cost

Cost typically refers to the value or price that is paid or consumed for something. In the video, the speaker mentions that smiling at people 'costs nothing,' emphasizing that it is a free yet valuable act that can bring joy to others without any monetary expense or effort.

💡Sunshine

Sunshine is the light and warmth that comes from the sun. Metaphorically, in the video, the speaker uses 'sunshine' to describe the positive and uplifting effect that a smile can have on someone's life, suggesting that a smile can brighten someone's day in the same way that the sun illuminates and warms the earth.

💡Hospital

A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment and care with specialized medical staff and equipment. The script mentions the hospital in the context of the speaker's grandpa being there during flu season, and the emotional connection they shared through a smile during a Facetime call, illustrating the power of a smile to convey love and comfort even in difficult circumstances.

💡Unexplainable Love

Unexplainable love refers to a deep affection or attachment that is difficult to put into words. In the video, the term is used to describe the profound emotional connection felt when the speaker and their grandpa smiled at each other over a video call, suggesting that the act of smiling can communicate love that transcends verbal expression.

💡Value

Value is the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. The speaker in the video discusses the 'endless value' of a smile, indicating that while a smile cannot be bought, borrowed, or stolen, its emotional and social worth is immeasurable and significant.

💡Power

Power is the ability or capacity to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. The script highlights 'smiling' as the 'greatest power ever,' suggesting that the simple act of smiling has the potential to change lives and make the world a better place.

💡Personal Face

A personal face refers to one's individual appearance or identity. In the video, the speaker uses the term to personalize the message, implying that each person's smile is unique and carries their own personal touch, making it a distinctive contribution to spreading positivity.

💡Spread

To spread means to distribute or extend something over an area or among people. In the context of the video, the speaker encourages the audience to 'spread' smiles across the world, emphasizing the collective impact of individual acts of kindness and positivity.

Highlights

Smiles are contagious and can instantly make you feel good.

Smiling at someone before speaking can set a positive tone for the interaction.

A smile can improve your mood even on a bad day.

An act of kindness accompanied by a smile can uplift you when you're feeling sad.

Smiling at people is a costless yet valuable gesture.

A smile can bring sunshine into someone's life.

Even in difficult circumstances, a smile can convey love and connection.

A smile is a unique, non-material expression of joy that cannot be bought or stolen.

The value of a smile is immeasurable and can contribute to a happier world.

Smiling is a simple act that can make the world a better place.

A personal smile can be a powerful symbol of positivity.

Giving a friendly smile to a stranger can create a positive experience for both parties.

The impact of a simple smile can be profound and far-reaching.

Spreading smiles across the world can have a significant positive effect.

Applause and cheers indicate the audience's appreciation for the power of smiles.