Smile!

*** Defying Shadows turns Two this August! To Celebrate, we are going to spend the part of the month resharing some of our favourite posts! Enjoy! ***

“You’re always smiling, you don’t have any stress in your life.”

My teacher told me this at the beginning of my second semester of college. I tried not to laugh because, well… College and stress go hand in hand. What that teacher did not know, was that I have an anxiety disorder, and I am almost always stressed about something! That being said, I have learned, and will continue to learn new tools to control and handle that stress.

I have been told many times that I was not depressed, nor was I struggling to handle the stress in my life because I was smiling. What people do not understand is that

“Smiling has always been easier than explaining why you’re sad.”

How many people are out there right now walking down the street, sitting on the bus, or attending a work meeting wearing a smile because that is what society asks us to do. If we do not smile, we have to explain why and sometimes we just cannot find the words to share how we are feeling; so we smile.

Today while you are out and about, remember that everyone has a story and things going on in their life. Give someone a smile today. Say hello to a stranger. Hug someone close to you and tell them you love them. But most importantly…

“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you” Luke 6:31.

Nichole is a Social Media Marketing Manager, student, daughter and friend. She’s working on her Marketing Diploma and has a Certificate of Christian Theology. She is an avid coffee lover who enjoys a good movie or book. She takes great joy in organizing, scheduling, and volunteering. Her passion for volunteerism extends specifically to those who are hurting, whether it is emotionally, physically, or mentally.

Nichole is certified to provide Mental Health First Aid, which means she can provide immediate support and guidance in a safe environment, comfortably have a conversation about mental health related issues and offer professional and other supports. This does NOT make Nichole a psychologist, or a counselor. It simply gives her the tools to direct people to the help they need.

You can follow Nichole on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest, Linkedin and her Personal Blog.