Smile! It opens so many doors. It welcomes people. It inspires. It has the power to guide others to optimism. And it makes your face more attractive.
As I add years to my history I can't help but notice the people who forget the smiling, positive attitude that made them attractive to others. Life makes some people bitter. But that's not a natural progression, it's merely a choice. "Life's not fair." We've all heard that since we were kids. But there comes a time when we have to come to terms with the truthfulness of that statement. The reality of life is that we are going to face unplanned crisis', tragedy, hardship and loss. But that should be no surprise. Nobody is exempt from these. Some people just make handling them look easier.
Faith plays a huge role in being an optimist. I guess you have to be one if you're going to base your life on a day of reckoning with an endgame judgment from a loving creator. Every smiling optimist I know has a strong core of faith. I've never met an agnostic or atheist who didn't have an edge of bitterness and an egotistic air of being superior to those who pray. That's why people of faith are proven to live longer.
Being a negative person just because things didn't go the way you wanted, you didn't get the material things you prayed for, or you lost love in your life, is just an excuse to not work out the smile muscles in your face and feel sorry for yourself. Pity parties become more trendy with people as they age. But life isn't about how much you have or have achieved, it's about how you cope with the unexpected. And how we treat others along the way. I have met many happy people who faced more than their share of hardship. These same people continue to lift up others with their glowing smiles and welcoming hands of kindness. The old adage "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger" is not a guarantee, it's a choice.
There is also some truth to what we were told as children when we made a face at someone..."Be careful, your face might freeze that way", it works with smiles too. Once you plant one firmly on your face and get those muscles in shape, it will stay there. And it's a welcoming sign to your heart. Turn it on, open up and let a happy life in!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Spirit Rises from Within
What do I do? Where do I turn? Many times in life we pray for the answers to these questions when faced with a major crisis. In a moment of despair, we find ourselves at a loss for direction and reach out to anyone willing to help us. But rather than from out, the answers usually come from within.
I like to refer to these as our Scarlett O'Hara moments. Recalling the scene where Scarlett, broken and exhausted from fleeing Atlanta, suffering from the shock of finding her mother dead, the family plantation fleeced and her father in a state of dementia, attempts to find nourishment from the garden where she wretches over a forgotten radish. At that 'last straw' moment she vows to "never go hungry again", to take care of her family and to not be beaten down. She draws on her inner strength. And her life changes forever.
Though this fictional catharsis was created in the mind of Margaret Mitchell, it was, no doubt, drawn from personal experience. The enlightenment that comes from these moments sets us in a new direction of growth and gives us a renewed spirit of strength. Suddenly we know what we have to do. In time, we become a better person because of this experience.
It's these moments that remind me of the presence of God in my life. Guiding my soul when my mind and body are at an impasse. Preparing me to face the road ahead with a stronger spirit. Opening a door when I find another has closed.
These defining events are the ones that will be our times to lead the journey by example. To show God that we are listening. To re-enforce our faith. The road to enlightenment and peace is a journey of learning, growing and teaching. Those who travel with blinders on will miss the lessons and find themselves walking in circles and getting nowhere. A well nourished spirit will prove to be a worthy guide.
I like to refer to these as our Scarlett O'Hara moments. Recalling the scene where Scarlett, broken and exhausted from fleeing Atlanta, suffering from the shock of finding her mother dead, the family plantation fleeced and her father in a state of dementia, attempts to find nourishment from the garden where she wretches over a forgotten radish. At that 'last straw' moment she vows to "never go hungry again", to take care of her family and to not be beaten down. She draws on her inner strength. And her life changes forever.
Though this fictional catharsis was created in the mind of Margaret Mitchell, it was, no doubt, drawn from personal experience. The enlightenment that comes from these moments sets us in a new direction of growth and gives us a renewed spirit of strength. Suddenly we know what we have to do. In time, we become a better person because of this experience.
It's these moments that remind me of the presence of God in my life. Guiding my soul when my mind and body are at an impasse. Preparing me to face the road ahead with a stronger spirit. Opening a door when I find another has closed.
These defining events are the ones that will be our times to lead the journey by example. To show God that we are listening. To re-enforce our faith. The road to enlightenment and peace is a journey of learning, growing and teaching. Those who travel with blinders on will miss the lessons and find themselves walking in circles and getting nowhere. A well nourished spirit will prove to be a worthy guide.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Greatest Americans
They didn't get to come home to put the horrors of combat behind them. Never had a reunion with loved ones. Never got to revel in the freedom they valiantly fought for. This weekend we honor their sacrifice by placing flags on the ground where they came home to rest. We remember them in prayer. We show our pride in their service by flying the flag that represents what they stood for: Red for VALOR. White for PURITY and INNOCENCE. And Blue for VIGILANCE, PERSEVERANCE and JUSTICE.
I never met my Uncle Leonard. He died over twenty years before I was born. But he was always a part of our large family. His picture hung in the living room of Grandma's home next to the letter from President Harry Truman, "In grateful memory". Grandma always looked at it lovingly and with pride as she mourned her eldest son. It stirred emotion in his brothers, who probably wondered what life would have been like had he come home. In us, his many nephews and nieces, it provoked questions about Uncle Leonard, and it also reminded us of the sacrifices so many have made to keep us safe, and free from tyranny here at home and around the world.
When I go to the cemetery on Memorial weekend, I place a flag on Uncle Leonard's grave. An honor I have proudly taken over from his friends and fellow veterans of the "Greatest Generation". I am reminded of all that we are blessed with in this country. Especially in the fact that we have had succeeding great generations who have enlisted in the service of our nation to preserve, protect and defend the principles that so many before them have given their lives for.
Memorial day is for the greatest Americans. Fly your flag to remember the fallen soldiers, to support those who currently serve and to show their families that they are in your thoughts and prayers.
I never met my Uncle Leonard. He died over twenty years before I was born. But he was always a part of our large family. His picture hung in the living room of Grandma's home next to the letter from President Harry Truman, "In grateful memory". Grandma always looked at it lovingly and with pride as she mourned her eldest son. It stirred emotion in his brothers, who probably wondered what life would have been like had he come home. In us, his many nephews and nieces, it provoked questions about Uncle Leonard, and it also reminded us of the sacrifices so many have made to keep us safe, and free from tyranny here at home and around the world.
When I go to the cemetery on Memorial weekend, I place a flag on Uncle Leonard's grave. An honor I have proudly taken over from his friends and fellow veterans of the "Greatest Generation". I am reminded of all that we are blessed with in this country. Especially in the fact that we have had succeeding great generations who have enlisted in the service of our nation to preserve, protect and defend the principles that so many before them have given their lives for.
Memorial day is for the greatest Americans. Fly your flag to remember the fallen soldiers, to support those who currently serve and to show their families that they are in your thoughts and prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)