A smile is worth a thousand words.

The next time you think that its not what you say, but how you say it, I ask you to consider that even more so, its what emotion you reveal before you even say a word.

Are you aware of the message that the expression on your face sends? Are you aware that the person in front of you can receive a clear message about you feel about them before you even say hello?

The power of your silence is incredible, but it isnt just the silence alone, its what you do in that silence. Are there certain people in your life that make you automatically smile? Have you ever thought about how that person feels by being received that way? Probably not, though you might be surprised to find that the smile sends more of a message than the message itself.

One day I had the opportunity of watching this up close, similar to a fly on the wall, as a father and daughter came in to the coffee shop where I was writing. Normally only distracted by loud children, I was surprised by my inability to keep my eyes on the computer screen. The distraction was not their noise, though; it was something about their silence that created a dynamic that kept pulling at me. In between each sentence I wrote, I would look up to see them interact with one another. By the time they sat down with their donuts, I couldnt do a thing but watch.

She looked to be about five years old, with her dark curly hair pulled back loosely in a ponytail. She had a little jean mini skirt on, teeny little sandals that swung back and forth in time to the music and a smile that told a story all of its own.

Her father was a nice looking guy in his thirties, who was smiling just as easily as they savored their glazed donuts.

What was astounding was the way they related to one another, as if no one else were around. The father leaned in close over a table that was hardly two feet across and must have been talking, though I couldnt hear a word of it. She would laugh freely after most of what he said, seeming to be thrilled with his company, his attention. In return, I would see her lips move and he would laugh too, openly happy to be with her as well.

The way their eyes stared into one another made me wish I was part of their circle. Their love so clearly present for each other, making them totally unaware of anyone else around. Even more fascinating, though, was the way their body language spoke. If she would move her shoulders in time to the music, he would do the same and then they would both let out a laugh. On top of that, they had a language of their own that involved high-fives and knocking fists across the table

The point was that they didnt need words at all in order to express their love for each other or how happy they were to be together. It was so obvious to me as I watched from across the room and clearly not a hidden secret for either of them. I was so captivated by the energy they created, I wished theyd see me and invite me in. But they were so captivated by the energy they createdthey didnt even see me staring.

The next time someone you love smiles at you, think about the story their smile tells before they even say a word. And then, give them the same story back!