Looking happy

I had a student (who I haven't had for 3 years) ask me on Friday if I was happy because I looked pissed. I said, "I generally am always happy but look miserable" and he said, "yeah you never look happy".

Super. Never. That's the reputation I want to have.

Well, that's May's goal, I guess. To outwardly appear happy. Not faking it but if I'm happy, I should smile. I get that. 

This has always been hard for me. I remember when I was 19 we had to go around and introduce ourselves and give a fact about ourselves the first day of RA training. I vividly remember saying, "My name is Stevie and I usually look like I am in a bad mood but usually am in a good mood - my face just looks pissed so don't be afraid to talk to me. I just look serious all of the time"... and later one of my best friends told me that I was 100% right - that I was happy most of the time but looked angry a lot. My relaxed face just looks pissed/sarcastic. It suits me well since I am sarcastic but unless someone knows me, they probably think I hate life. 

I wish smiling came more naturally to me but just know that if you see me and I look angry, I likely am just relaxed. I don't want to be fake. I'm not gonna just smile for no reason.