Wednesday, January 23, 2013

"When You're Smilin'..."


Yesterday at work, a customer (an older gentleman) told me that every time he sees me, I’m always smiling. He said that my smile is “electrifying,” that it helps others to smile. :)

It’s rather touching to hear something like that…I must smile without even realizing it. I am thankful for this gift that I can share with others…Smiles are not meant to be kept to oneself. :)

Yes, I even use smiley faces in e-mails, text messages, status updates on Facebook, blog posts…I remember when I worked at my previous job, which wasn’t always the “happiest” of circumstances, if you will, coworkers would mention how I was smiling as I made my way from my car to the door of the building. I never did it “on purpose”…Somehow it just “happened.” And it’s still like that today.

[And, how can I NOT smile as Journey pops up on my Pandora station, “Don’t Stop Believin’?” And how can I NOT sing along at the top of my lungs? Well, I’m sitting in an office room at church, so maybe I’ll sing at the top of my lungs in my head… ;) ]

I was also told this week that I’m fun…Just like smiling, fun is meant to be shared, too…So much of life can often be spent in the doldrums. Is life happy all the time? Of course not...We do have those times where we need to travel through the valleys…Part of healing from pain is experiencing lament. But in the “everydayness” of life, we don’t have to be negative all the time.

Since Positivity is my number one strength on the Strengths Finder, it is easier for me to "be positive." I hope that this helps others to "see the positive" when it needs to be seen. I’ve also been compared to Flo from Progressive…I had to laugh at her status today on Facebook: “In the animal kingdom, smiling is a sign of aggression. I’m not welcome at the zoo. Sorry animals...” ;)

The song, “When You’re Smiling,” came to mind as I reflecting on the day…I like the Frank Sinatra version, so please take a listen via the link below:


I also found the following quote from Mother Teresa, which says a lot: “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” :)

Two blogs for the price of one today…Today is my half birthday…So, what does that mean? I’m 6 months away from my “scary age,” if you will…When I was in high school, I had imagined that my life would be different from what it is today. Is that a bad or good thing? You know, as I reflect…Everyone is on his or her own time table…Life is not a race, where the first-place finisher receives all the prizes. We all have been bestowed many gifts…Life itself is a gift, having the chance to make a difference in the world…Jesus gives us the gift of everlasting life…Wow, do we ever slow down in our busy lives, just to give thanks for all of the things that we DO have instead of what we don’t?

Oh, human nature…You always try to get us to compare ourselves to others or give us some unobtainable “norm” to strive for that actually doesn’t exist…

Instead of worrying about getting older, we need to be thankful for each day we have. So many things happen outside of our control that could take this precious gift from us. Worry is a waste of time and energy…It can affect our health in adverse ways…Besides, I think worrying causes more wrinkles instead of smiling. ;)

Ironically, I created a Frank Sinatra station on Pandora…The first song to play? “You Make Me Feel So Young.” Hmmm…When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you…And, a smiling face offers a light into a world in need of it…

Are you smiling today? At others? You just never know who may be touched by that light…God’s peace and blessings to you all, on this beautiful day and every day. :)

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