My mother took my two little sisters to get a pedicure
and when they came home I noticed how they had Smiley Faces on their toes!!
They said they wanted their feet to be happy. I just had to take a picture!
Ever been laughed out of a bad mood? Had the blues disappear by way of music? Go from listless to perky because of a friend’s phone call?
Just goes to show how transient moods are and how easily we can take actions to help a sad mood, to move along. I think it’s easiest to understand this when times are happy and trials are few. It’s definitely harder to believe when you’ve already sunk in the funk. When it feels that the good-ship hasn’t merely sailed, it’s sunk.
I know that thinking it will work is a big part of it. Even when scoffing to yourself for thinking anything is going to bring back a vibrant, jazzed, bubbly mood, force yourself to apply the antidote.
It could be watching silly kitty videos on YouTube. It could be cranking up the music and dancing and singing at the top of your lungs. It could be phoning a friend and NOT moaning about your troubles—just friendly chatting is what’s needed.
It could be all 3 and a dozen more. Make a mental list. Keep it handy and employ it as soon as you recognize the blues are slipping in. I’m not saying to never be sad or blue. Those lows are definitely a part of life and make the highs that much sweeter. I’m simply advocating recognizing the mood shift and being aware that when you are ready to, you can take action to feel better.
Smile. Be happy. Sing and dance.
Ruth
Banjo Case Smiley
Heard about Spontaneous Smiley from Ruth’s amazing daughter, and it reminded me of the Smiley I already had in my photos!
My brother Jeff posted a larger image of this picture on facebook.
He likes guitars. I noticed the smile.
Begin doing what you want to do now.
We are not living in eternity.
We have only this moment,
sparkling like a star –
and melting like a snowflake.
~ Marie Beyonn Ray
Do you have an idea, a really cool idea? Something you plan to get around to? I’d say go for it. Now. Who knows what will become of the effort. But the effort itself, the process of the doing, is enough if it gives you pleasure.
Do I put a lot of time into it pitching the Smiley idea and do the pitches sometimes net nothing? You bet. I made a line of Smiley greeting cards. Took a ton of time and though I sent it out to every greeting card whose address/edress I could find, only one nibble. You can bet I’m holding onto hope that the nibble will become a bite!
If not, were those hours wasted? Not even a little. I had fun in the doing. And someday Spontaneous Smiley may draw the attention of someone in the Greeting Card field and I’ll be ready.
I celebrate the good luck of being able to immerse myself in the process. Like a child given free rein and a mountain of art supplies. They will cut and paste, then fold it over, staple it, cut it into pieces, put it in an envelope, attached some foil and a pipe cleaner, paint on it, then use a little glitter and a lot of tape and be 100% involved and joyful. The end product is often of little relevance to the child. As a teacher, time and again, I witness kids having no interest in the finished product, being very ho hum about even bothering to bring it home. For them it was all about the process.
So pursue you dream project, your cool idea. Can’t guarantee anything will pan out. Can guarantee the effort will be worth it because having pleasure is a valid goal!!!
Smile. Be happy.
Ruth
