
A few hours earlier, on a bright Sunday morning, my dad and I were driving to his office. I was ten years old, excited to spend the day with him. I remember riding over the bridge while he was telling me a story.
What I don’t remember is the tow truck that sped through a red light and smashed directly into my window, or how my dad regained consciousness to administer CPR.

The scars didn’t bother me so much.
The hard part was that I lost my smile.
Nobody knew exactly how many minutes I’d been without oxygen immediately after the accident, and so there was a great deal of relief that my brain was returning to normal, and that I could talk.
The accident had cut the nerves in my cheek, so part of my face was paralyzed. I could speak, but I couldn’t make most facial expressions. I couldn’t show happiness or sadness.
Without my smile, I was lost.
I could speak, but as far as I was concerned, I couldn’t communicate.
Smiling had always been my most natural form of connection. It was the heart of how I interacted with the world. Now I was mute. Without the ability to smile, I was isolated and silenced. I felt like my mouth had been sewn shut along with my cheek.
That’s when I started writing.
I wrote as a way to communicate myself. I found the words to express what I was feeling, and that made all the difference. This turning point became a lifelong love for giving people the words to communicate who they are.
In a sense, the accident made it possible for me to see what it’s like to have no voice, let alone no smile. I learned that if you can’t speak out, you’re trapped. But once you give them a voice, they can be heard.
The greatest way to empower someone is to show them their own highest value. (Tweet this)
I made a career out of finding the right words. After college, I began my career as an advertising copywriter. Once again, writing helped me find the words to build a connection, this time between brands and people. I helped brands communicate who they are.
I began exploring the science of fascination, becoming an author and speaker, showing people how to find the ideal words to express who they are.
My smile is still a little crooked. That’s okay.
100% yourself beats 100% perfect. (Tweet this)
Looking back, I can now see why I felt frozen without my smile. I have a primary Passion Advantage, which means that I connect through emotion and facial expression.
For you, smiling might not be the key to unlocking your personality. You might have a different key. It might be facts, or details, or stability. Whatever it is, you need to be able to apply it in order to be your best. Otherwise, you quit trying.
When you’re prevented from communicating in the way that comes naturally, you shut down.
Have you ever been prevented from communicating who you are, at your best?
Have you ever “lost your smile”?
There will be times in your life when you feel prevented from communicating and connecting with the world around you.
You might be in a job interview, and struggle to find the words to explain who you are.
You might be in a major business presentation, and feel at a loss for how to present your ideas.
You might lose a major client, or your job, or your company.
You might feel lost. Or feel your words don’t make a difference.
I want to show YOU who you are, at your best.
Your personality already has the extraordinary qualities you need to stand out and be heard. Once you identify these qualities, you’ll never be without a voice.
Maybe the car accident wasn’t an accident at all. Maybe it was exactly what I needed to communicate with you.
Thank you for being part of my world. Together, let’s discover who you are, at your best.
As always, great story Sally. I always learn so much from you.
Also, can someone tell me how to do that Tweet thing you do in your articles please?
Thank you, God Bless and have a great weekend.
Anita
Anita! If you have a Twitter account, the easist way to share this--or any of Sally's posts--is to hit the little Twitter icon at the top or bottom of the post. It will automatically generate a tweet for you. Hope this helps, and thanks for the kind words!
Wow, Sally! Thanks for sharing this powerful story. Appreciate you!
What a wonderful story. Sharing your experience is a benefit for your readers and for you . We are now a part of your extended family.
We all have experiences that are personal to us and sharing them makes up most human and more approachable.
Thank you
I adore you. You always find the positive in any situation. What a powerful story.
Sally, your story moved me. Yes, sometimes smiling is hard, and then God gives us a new beginning to bring that smile back again. I do think a smile is God’s light in the world.
I feel silenced when a certain ego-centric person in the office turns every conversation into something about herself and becomes a non-listener and a diverter of all attention to herself. A delightful conversation with the entire team can turn into a one-way street that leads to that person. I usually leave the room, as said person doesn't take a clue. I am silenced.
I feel silenced when a certain ego-centric person in the office turns every conversation into something about herself and becomes a non-listener and a diverter of all attention to herself. A delightful conversation with the entire team can turn into a one-way street that leads to that person. I usually leave the room, as said person doesn't take a clue. I am silenced.
I love this story (just as much as when you told me in person) but I am questioning the part where you say that your brain went back "to normal" ;o)
LOL!
Thank you!!! You were our (R+F) keynote speaker at a past convention. You are memorable - your storytelling is fabulous! I loved your story about your last name!
You always have the best words, Sally! Thank you for sharing. I especially LOVE your quote: "The greatest way to empower someone is to show them their own highest value." SUCH GREAT WORDS! Thank you!