THE MIND’S CANVAS 181emphasis, and to show intensity. It is very common to see people saying,
“Wow!” as they raise their eyebrows and flash their eyes. This is a very
genuine positive display. When someone is excitedly emphasizing a
point or telling a story, the brow raise should occur. It reflects the true
mood of the individual, and it also clears the way for greater visual clar-
ity.
Perhaps the best utility of the brow raise is to note when someone
stops doing it while telling a story. Often, when we are not emotionally
attached to something being said, there will be no eye emphasis. Such an
observed lack of attachment may simply reflect decreased interest or may
occur because what is being said is not the truth. Distinguishing between
BOX 50: WHEN THE FLASHBULB GOES OFFWhen we see someone we like or are surprised by running into a person
we haven’t seen in a while, we tend to expand our eyes to make them as
big as possible, concurrent with pupilary dilation. In a work environment,
you can assume the boss really likes you or that you did something really
well if his or her eyes open very wide when looking at you.
You can use this affirming behavior to determine if you are on the
right track, whether courting, doing business, or just trying to make
friends. For example, picture the exaggerated dreamy eyes of a young girl
in love as she stares at her date with adoration. In short, watch the
eyes—the bigger they get, the better things are! On the other hand, when
you start to see eye shrinkage, such as squinting, eyebrows dropping, or
pupils constricting, you may want to rethink and change your behavioral
tactics.
I will express a note of caution. Pupil dilation and constriction can be
caused by factors unrelated to emotions or events, such as variation in
lighting, some medical conditions, and certain drugs. Be careful to con-
sider these factors, or you could be misled.