Customer Reviews

Going the Extra Smile: Discovering the Life-Changing Power of a Positive Outlook

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This is a wonderful little book to read through and keep handy. The author gives personal examples and lessons in teaching how staying positive can change one's life for the better. Whether you're really down, just need an attitude tune-up, or are already a positive soul, this is interesting and essential reading for everyone.

From: www.BasilAndSpice.com
Author & Book Views On A Healthy Life!

Book Review: Going The Extra Smile: Discovering the Life-Changing Power of a Positive Outlook by George Foreman

Known today for his incredible warm smile, George Foreman--two-time Heavyweight Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and Author--used to be the man admirers were fearful to approach. Prior to Mr. Foreman's life-changing spiritual experience, his goal had been to be the meanest person who could be found. Today he extols the benefits of smiling. The smile Mr. Foreman says helps create:

An attitude of faith
A life-changing attitude
A caring attitude

A positive attitude
A grateful attitude
An overcoming attitude

An attractive attitude
An encouraging attitude
A resilient attitude

A fun-loving attitude
An expectant attitude
A generous attitude
A winning attitude

A forgiving attitude
A joyful attitude

In the George Foreman's early days, he learned to have a cool attitude from other athletic professionals before him; fans could be heard whispering,

"Look over there. That's George Foreman. Why don't you go over and ask for his autograph?"

"No, not me. You go first."

George Foreman writes in Going The Extra Smile, that the whisperers never did come over. "They'd see the scowl on my face and be afraid of what I might say or do." When he was a younger man, George Foreman boxed with hate in his heart, as if his opponents were "animals to be hunted." This included Muhammad Ali. After his spiritual awakening, George changed his attitude and his life--he and Muhammad Ali are close now. Later in his life, returning to a second boxing career, Mr. Foreman says he needed to learn how to box without hate. In his youth center in Texas, he teaches that boxing is a honorable sport and a boxer doesn't need to be a killer.

A survey conducted by Harris Interactive shows that almost half of Americans prefer a wide, toothy smile over a grin, a close-mouthed smile, or a smirk, and it's more important that teeth be white rather than straight. The smile often leads to a laugh. George Foreman says that for ten years he went without a television in his home. Then his lovely wife purchased a big-screen TV and one thing led to another--funny shows that make George laugh!

Recently, genetic researchers in Japan have been studying laughter, genes, and the effects of comedians on patients. They found that the blood glucose levels in diabetics decreased after laughing at stand-up comics.

Today, Mr. Foreman states that he chooses to smile. Fans adore him, admirers approach him, and most of all, he realizes that what draws others to him is not the fact that he's George Foreman, but rather, his smile. At times, when sorrow, depression, sickness, and death surround us, it is truly difficult to put on a happy face. But the smile is where the change begins.

Smile! It makes a difference in who you are, how you see the world, and how the world sees you.--George Foreman

5 Stars

This book is very basic, but it really gives you a positive outlook on life. If you put a smile on your face, in spite of obstacles, you will be surprised how many people respond positively to you. Smiling also lets you release demons and change your outlook, even in the face of disaster. I know this because I tried it. I no longer find it acceptable to go through tough days with a scowl on my face. This tactic works particularly well with negative people who try to bring you down. Give them a big smile and watch them look puzzled and retreat. Thanks George!!!

My wife had this book and asked if I was interested in reading it. Sure, I said and put it on my rather large pile of books to read where it sat, with George's smiling face looking up at me for months.

But, just this week I found out my school corporation transferred me to a different school (it was a seniority thing, not a performance thing) and I was more than a little bummed out because I like where I am at now. So, I picked up George's little book and plowed through it in about a day and a half, figuring I needed a bit of positive inspiration.

Foreman talks about his two boxing careers but, more importantly, he divides his life into two parts - Old George and New George. In other terms, pre-Christian Geroge and Christian George. George mentions St. Paul a couple of times and I'd imagine that George identifies with him because they share a common dramatic conversion experience and a massive change in lifestyle.

The book is a little bit of biography tied in with a little bit of philosophy and a little bit of religion that, when taken all together, make an interesting and helpful book.

Very enjoyable.

I bought one of these little books at a local overstock store. My husband and I read it, loved it and bought 4 more, one for each of our married children and their families. Who knew, when George was fighting, just how talented he is! Thanks George for this little gem!