# “You're making an ugly face — smile!”

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-rowing-coach-smile
- Themes: smiling, effort, stress
- Life situations: physical exertion, exam stress, job interview, hard work

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Rowing in an eight at Cambridge, struggling and grimacing, Ajahn Brahm hears the coach on a bicycle shout through a megaphone: “You're making an ugly face — smile!” When he smiles, the oar feels easier and he gets a boost of energy.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

So no what happened there was a little coach the coach was on his bicycle had a megaphone. He shouted out at me He said you're making an ugly face smile and when you're really struggling physically of course you do make ugly faces And I learned something great from that coach worthwhile all of that. You know doing the the training for rowing in an eight And what I learned that when you smile the? Or is so easy to pull I've got a boost of energy Paint has dissipated. I smiled and the oil had more energy

## Teaching point

Smiling under strain dissipates pain and gives energy — in exercise, exams, interviews and meetings.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Grimacing through a rowing session at Cambridge, he heard the coach's megaphone: you're making an ugly face, smile! He did, and the oar felt lighter. Try it in a hard workout, an exam or a tense meeting. A smile eases strain, lifts the people around you, and may even leave your boss wondering what secret you've found.

## Source

- [Stress - Overreaction to Life | Ajahn Brahm | 9 March 2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEpeaWywKi4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 41:37 to 42:15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEpeaWywKi4&t=2497s

Other tellings of this story:

- [The Art Of Disappearing Retreat : Day 1 - Ajahn Brahm : Opening Talk & Meditation | 13 November 22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GfwtwTAs8c) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 28:51 to 29:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GfwtwTAs8c&t=1731s
- [Stres-reaksi berlebihan dalam hidup | Ajahn Brahm | 9 March 2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C30q01E1Ob4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 41:44 to 42:18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C30q01E1Ob4&t=2504s
- [9. Cultivating Happiness](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebl-6mwBPwo) (BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media) — watch from 13:26 to 14:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebl-6mwBPwo&t=806s
- [Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 21 January 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0GRfzfop20) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 11:26 to 12:08: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0GRfzfop20&t=686s