I was watching Oprah one day and a male guest said something so profound that it changed the way I look at my son.

I can’t remember exactly how his story went but this is what I got from it.  The man vowed to always look at his kids with smiling eyes.  What does that mean you ask?

Have you ever seen someone with a smile on their face but you could sense something else was going on?  You could almost see it in their eyes.  Many times, we are so burdened with the problems in our life that it becomes difficult to match the smile on our faces with a smile in our heart.  Many people wear their emotions on their faces and don’t even realize it.

What really amazes me is how intuitive children are.  My son can look at me and instantly tell when something is wrong.  I don’t know if he sees it on my face or if our connection is so strong that he can feel it in my heart.  However, when I tell people that he is the source of my joy, I mean it because I try to maintain a joyful spirit because it makes him happy and creates a feeling of security not having to wonder why mommy is stressed out.

I see so many toddlers that have no joy.  I often wonder what has happened in their little lives that the natural joy that these little people are born with has already been dissipated.  Yet you don’t have to look far.  When you see their parents and the stress in their lives and on their faces, you understand the uncertainty these kids must feel.

Sometimes I get busy working and my son comes running over to me.  My first instinct is to shoo him away so I can complete my task but I realize that his interest in me will only last a few years and I should take advantage of every moment.  I make the decision to put my work aside and devote attention to him because he didn’t ask to be here.  I made that decision and with that comes responsibility – a responsibility to give him the best life possible and not burden him with my problems.

I challenge every parent to make a concentrated effort to look at your kids with smiling eyes.  A smile on your face is easy but to smile with your eyes takes a huge leap of faith.  It requires that while you are with your child, you must let go of all of the worldly pressures and stresses and focus on creating a happy place for your little person.  It’s not easy and it takes lots of practice and concentration but your child deserves no less.