Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Smile . . .




Have you ever felt like you just can't, or just don't want to smile?  I have been having a few of those days!  Most of the time I am a very happy person, in fact, I have had people ask me what my secret is to being happy all the time.  But, lately, I have been melancholy.  I don't know if it's the weather, or just  that I'm sad about some of the things going on in my life right now, things that are out of my control.  Some are things that only I can change, but right now I have to be content with them, they will work themselves out eventually.  But I never want to feel like I can't smile and be happy, no matter what is going on in my life.  I desperately need to make some changes in my attitude!

I know that sometimes we have to smile even when we are crying on the inside, and truly, sometimes I will be smiling and then almost burst into tears!  What is that all about?  I think that attitude has everything to do with how happy we are, so maybe I should change my attitude.  I heard this said one time, and I can't remember where I heard it:

"The picture of our life is first determined by the brush we choose to paint it with. Happiness is a choice."

I really need to make the choice to be happy.  Here are just a few  thoughts on how we can find that elusive, and sometimes just plain old, "out to lunch" happiness: 

1.  DEFINE HAPPINESS. What does happiness mean to you? Is it an ecstatic happy dance feeling? Is it peaceful contentment and joy? Maybe both, at different times? It's tough to achieve a goal, if you don't know what it is, so take some time to think about what happiness feels like to you, in all its flavors and varieties. Can you feel it, right now? Guess what? You just took the first step to choosing happiness!


2.  ASK FOR HAPPINESS. When you pray, ask for happiness.  Even if you don't believe, and you feel silly doing it, ask for happiness, anyhow. What have you got to lose? Repeat this step as often as desired or needed.  If you believe, then you know that Heavenly Father is listening and will help you.

3.  RECALL HAPPINESS. What makes you happy? When do you feel happiest? Flip back through the pages of your life and think about what times were among your happiest. Go all the way back to childhood, and remember what sort of "make believe" brought you the most joy. Now, consider how you might bring elements of those happy times into your life, today. Surround yourself with reminders of happiness and plan things that make you happy and bring back those feelings.

4.  CHOOSE HAPPINESS. You may have heard the question, "would you rather be right, or would you rather be happy?" Swap "right" for any word that describes your present not-so-happy mood. It doesn't mean there won't be times when your answer is, "dang it, I WOULD rather be grumpy!" Whatever you're feeling is genuine, and may be an appropriate choice. Owning your decision is powerful all by itself. But it's not a big metaphysical mystery that if you choose happiness in more of life's moments, you'll experience happiness more in your life.

Now, let's smile and be happy . . .

Charlie Chaplin wrote the music to "Smile", I love it!


Smile

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
Words by john turner and geoffrey parsons and music by charlie chaplin

Blessings and Many Smiles, 

Barb

10 comments:

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

"or just that I'm sad about some of the things going on in my life right now, things that are out of my control. Some are things that only I can change, but right now I have to be content with them, they will work themselves out eventually."

Out of our control stuff is so hard. Even the feeling of being out of control, is hard.

But you said that some things you can change. So, if you can change them, why not do so? Why wait and let them work themselves out?

I know. We aren't specific in our blogs, for the very important purpose of not laying out too much personal info, on the World Wide Net. So I'm probably simply not understanding your words, for a very good reason. And I'll leave it at that.

But with wishes that you do what you can do, to feel better.

Gentle hugs...

Packrat said...

Thank you! Blessings to you, too!

Barb said...

Aunt, thank you for your very true and kind words. With that advise, I will do everything I can to try and make my situation better. Sometimes it takes someone who does not know your situation to make you realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel - hugs right back to you.

Packrat - after reading your blog, I know that you have reason to just keep smiling, even though your heart is breaking. Thanks for the nice comment. Hugs

Karen Beth said...

Wow, I love what Aunt Amelia's Attic said. Since I know what you are going through and feel the same way, it did me good to read your blog and what she said back to you. Thank you both. Love you.

Barb said...

Karen - I know that you are going through somewhat the same thing, maybe worse! I hope you know that you are my strength, thanks for the break, it's been enlightening and sad at the same time. Love you too

The WIlloughby Family said...

I hope I made you smile today....

Barb said...

Jess - You did!!

The Halls said...

Wow, I know how you feel. I have days where I am just down for no reason. I have found, like you said, that if I pray and I make the decision to be happy, it changes how I feel about everything. Hope things look up soon. Love, Laura

Barb said...

Laura - Thank you, It will get better.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Just checking in, on Sat. To say I hope you're feeling better.

Gentle hugs...

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