The word ‘superpower’ can drive a rush of feelings into any person who hears it. Perhaps it leads to a feeling of curiosity, some joy or a little bit of wistfulness. If you’re an honest type of person, you might even feel a sliver of hope. Hope, that you were right as a child.

Although, I have to admit that I know of a superpower. This superpower is not as obvious as turning invisible but it is 10 times more powerful. It could lengthen your life, give you the power to turn someone else’s day around, and allow you to have a human connection with anyone in the world.

Now, I will not claim that there are people teleporting from Phoenix to San Francisco or there is a classmate who can read your thoughts like a certain vampire we all know. Although, I have to admit, those would be some truly stunning superpowers.

The superpower that I speak about is very common. Most people know this superpower as a smile.

A genuine smile can be the most beautiful human expression on the planet.It is a universal symbol that has a profound effect on people. Everyone at Xavier has had their fair share of mornings where they weren’t in the best mood because either a) they didn’t have time to go to Dutch Bros or b) they already finished their Dutch Bros.

Whatever the reason, there is a trick to getting rid of that frown. You just do to it as you would a pancake that is cooked on the bottom. That’s right, you flip it over. According to Dr. Mark Stibich on About.com, you can trick your body into thinking that you are happy just by smiling.

Now let’s say one of your classmates, also having a rough day, should walk past your beautiful, beaming face. She sees you smiling at her and decides she has no choice other than to smile back. Thus, she just welcomed happiness into her body as well. This chain could go on and on, and before you know it, everything’s looking up. Everyone is smiling and happy and they don’t even know why. They try to figure it out to no avail, for it is not Mass dress at Brophy. This is one of the best things about smiling, it’s contagious.

Smiling is a testament to how heroic the smallest actions can be. According to sunwarrior.com, other side effects may include a boost in your immune system, feelings of relaxation, loss of stress, a promotion at your job and an overall improvement in your physical appearance. I believe that we all need to dig up our childish selves and rediscover the magnificence of this superpower we all possess.