It never fails. I arrive in the cold and dark of a January morning, carrying the cares of the world on my back and am transported to a warm and sunny place by the smiles of arriving children. "Hello, Mr. Downs!"

How can something so simple have so much power to alter the state of mind?

I heard a report on the radio over the weekend about a study conducted to determine whether people can "hear" a smile. According to the report, the study, "revealed to scientists in the U.K. that we can hear a smile in someone's voice without seeing his or her face." (Click the link at the end of this message to hear the full report.)

My problem, of course, is that I am too serious. Yes, I can admit it. The first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I don't smile enough. Eighteen years ago, my son was the first to put it so succinctly: "Dad, you're not smiling enough," my five year-old son said.

"How much is enough?" I could have asked. But actually, a cloud lifted with the question and in that instant, the sun came out. He was right.

In the cold and dark of mid-winter Minnesota, we make our own sunshine. So give it a try - it's not so hard. Can you hear me smiling?

Mike Downs
Head of School

Link to radio report