A Face Wreathed in Smiles

A study by CC Neuhoff and C. Schaefer of Fairleigh Dickinson University, entitled "Effects of Laughing, Smiling, and Howling on Mood" found that "[w]hile howling did not substantially improve mood, both smiling and laughing did. Moreover, laughter seemed to boost positive affect more than just smiling . . ." Other studies have found that the mere fact of causing our face to smile or frown can have a positive or negative effect, respectively, on our emotional state.

We often think of smiling and laughter as something we offer someone else, as expressed in these touching words of 'Abdu'l-Baha: "I want you to be happy. . . to laugh, smile and rejoice in order that others may be made happy by you." It is noteworthy that in addition to bringing happiness to others, these studies seem to indicate that laughter and smiling benefit us as well (but fortunately not howling).

On a similar point, it is related that one of Bahá'u'lláh's favorite attributes to see in a person was a smiling face:

The Blessed Beauty often remarked; “There are four qualities which I love to see manifested in people: first, enthusiasm and courage; second, a face wreathed in smiles and a radiant countenance; third, that they see with their own eyes and not through the eyes of others; fourth, the ability to carry a task once begun, through to its end”.

(Stories of Baha’u’llah, compiled by ‘Ali Akbar Furutan, p.51.)