Intelligence Plus Character - That is the Goal of True Education

Hear me live each Saturday as the Host of The Reading Circle with Marc Medley on gobrave.org and WP88.7 FM. I also invite you to follow The Critical Thinker on Twitter @thinkcritical01.

Never Underestimate the Power of a Smile

Never underestimate the power of a smile. Southwest Airlines has figured that out in one of their latest advertising campaigns created by GSD&M.

"You can't charge for smiles. That's probably why Southwest Airlines is still giving them away. Enjoy your flight with Southwest today."

Think about when you have achieved your desired results when interacting with someone else. Was it when you were mean, angry or your face looking like cracked ice? Or was it when you were smiling? Think about the last time you had great customer service. Was the person smiling and polite or grumpy and mean? According to Sarah Stevenson in her post There’s Magic In Your Smile as a guest blogger for Cutting-Edge Leadership

"Scientist and spiritual teachers alike agree that the simple act can transform you and the world around you. Current research (and common sense) shows us that a smile is contagious. It can make us appear more attractive to others. It lifts our mood as well as the moods of those around us. (Merci, Colette.) And it can even lengthen our lives."

Interestingly, there are many people who for whatever reason refuse to smile. If you have ever dealt with one of these people, then you know it is not a fun experience. So lift your mood, the moods of those around you and possibly live longer. SMILE. You are invited to hear me live on Saturdays at 6 a.m. ET on gobrave.org as the host of The Reading Circle where I'll be smiling on the air. You are also invited to follow The Critical Thinker on Twitter @thinkcritical01.  

P.S. I love the ad as the actress has a beautiful smile. 

Actor David Figlioli's Facial Expressions in Geico TV Ad Epitomizes THE CRITICAL THINKER

Since viewing the latest GEICO TV Spot, 'Horror Movie: It's What You Do,' the facial expressions of actor David Figlioli as the chainsaw killer are what come to my mind every time I see or hear something stupid, crazy or bizarre that someone has done. In fact, this blog THE CRITICAL THINKER was created because of silly things that we overlook and take for granted that I as the creator seek to have readers think about; to ask the question, "Does that make sense to me/you?" The following description of the ad is provided by MARKET ME NOT:

“If you’re in a horror movie you make poor decisions. It’s what you do.” A group of kids in running from a murderer in the middle of the woods when they stumble upon an old cabin. “Let’s hide in the attic. No, in the basement.” One woman starts breaking down into tears “Why can’t we just get in the running car?!” She is dismissed as crazy “Are you crazy?! Let’s hide behind the chainsaws.” They agree “Yea, smart.” They run behind the chainsaws but don’t notice the murderer standing behind them. The murderer gives them a look as if he can’t believe how stupid these kids are. They finally notice the murderer and run off “Head for the cemetery!”

Actor David Figlioli 

It's this look by the murderer portrayed by Mr. Figlioli that for me makes the ad. It is this look that epitomizes this blog, THE CRITICAL THINKER; It's that "You've got to be kidding me," or as the description above says,  the look "As if you can’t believe how stupid this is," look. With everything that occurs on a daily basis locally, nationally and globally, I find myself making that face quite frequently, just not as well as Mr. Figlioli does in the commercial. He doesn't have to say a word and you know exactly what he is thinking.

As I have written posts for THE CRITICAL THINKER since its inception, it has been Mr. Figliloli's facial expression shown in the GEICO ad that has been on my face as I write each Critical Thinker post and now that I have a visual, it will certainly be the epitome of the things I write about and challenge you to think about as you read each blog post. I take my hat off to The Martin Agency, Inc. for their creativity as in my opinion the ad is spot on. Something to critically think about.

I invite you to listen to me live each Saturday at 6:00 a.m. ET on gobrave.org and WP88.7 FM as the host of The Reading Circle with Marc Medley and to follow me on Twitter @thinkcritical01.