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Yoko Ono

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Smile

Posted: 20/12/2012 00:00

When I thought of the idea for #smilesfilm in 1960s, I was not thinking of anything in particular, just a "wouldn't it be nice?" kinda-thing.

When John, my husband, passed away, I was feeling down, so down, that it showed on my face when I looked at myself in the mirror.
"This is bad," I thought.
I could make myself ill, or if not, make myself a very irritable person, which would be not nice, especially for Sean, my son.
I have to get out of this.

So I systematically smiled into the mirror every morning.
My smile was forced and looked terrible.
But as I kept smiling for some time, my smile became a natural smile.
It not only became a smile with my mouth and my eyes, but my shoulders, my tummy, and finally, with my whole body!

I thought "Okay, I've won the battle!"
That's when I realised how important it is for all of us to smile - not for anybody else, but for ourselves and our health.
That was all.
Soon I forgot about it as an impossible job.

Now the computer age has come in full swing.
And I know that we can use this situation to make the whole world smile!

Please smile for your health and joy.
If all of us do this, our planet will be a heaven, created by us.

I love you!

Yoko

You can download the iPhone app from iTunes and visit the Smiles Film website by clicking here.

#smilesfilm is being exhibited at the Serpentine Gallery this summer 21 June - 9 September in Yoko's show To The Light.

To join in with #smilesfilm, take or upload a picture on Instagram or Twitter, add the hashtag #smilesfilm in the text, and optionally add your geotag location if you want to appear on the map.

 

Follow Yoko Ono on Twitter: www.twitter.com/yokoono

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06:52 PM on 07/07/2012
Thanks, Yoko. It's a good reminder that we can work to make ourselves happier, or happy again after a sad time. We do not have to wait and wallow, but we can take some control of the process.

You have a wonderful smile today; you spread joy with it.
06:32 PM on 07/07/2012
HELLO HOW ARE YOU
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Zion Lights
01:25 PM on 07/06/2012
This is a wonderful idea. More like this, please.
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02:41 AM on 06/25/2012
There is a good woman. Haters go be boring somewhere else.
12:48 AM on 06/25/2012
Thanks for the reminder Yoko. It is very hard to smile at times. :)
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Democrab
Pretty far so good
11:17 PM on 06/24/2012
A genuine smile can really disarm people, especially the ones who are always looking for, and feeding off conflict. Whistling is good too. It lets anyone around you who might fear you that you're not a threat; especially the little ones.
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MelanieMatthias
I am President Obama's biggest fan!
11:16 PM on 06/24/2012
Mike will love this!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Janeu
Depression is anger without enthusiasm
11:02 PM on 06/24/2012
You Continue To Rock, Mrs. Lennon.

Wishing you peace and many, many smiles.
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ecceme
Be afraid!
10:00 PM on 06/24/2012
: > )
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ginadeoliveira2008
Seen a shooting star tonight and I thought of you
08:55 PM on 06/24/2012
There's this Indian saying--" The smile that you send out returns to you". Thank you Yoko for reminding me of it from "flower children's" times.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
herewegoagain2
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08:06 PM on 06/24/2012
Dealing with grief is something no one teaches. We only learn how to do it with experience. Thank you Yoko for opening up the discussion.
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seventeengeese
Be a flock star
04:37 PM on 06/24/2012
Love you, Yoko.

Always have, always will.
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Jimserac
ONE from Many ...
02:08 PM on 06/24/2012
愛は死を公然と反抗している...
良いです。