That is the question…but the continuation of the question is…happy. To be or not to be happy? This post is in answer to the question often posed to me, “Why are you always smiling?” Enough said. John 15:11 These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. Happy Sunday.
Saturday may be just another day to some of us, and maybe we have to work at making it a little different. Maybe we need a little something to make us smile, and just maybe that little something is as simple as a cartoon character. Here is my smile for the day. What will make you smile? Happy Saturday.
Here it is the weekend again. Someone once told me that Saturdays are for smiling. And so I am smiling, as is my great-grand-dog, Champ. He loves the weekend when his “people” are home for two whole days. Happy Saturday.
Once upon a time there lived a husband and wife who loved to praise the Lord aloud in church. They were frowned upon for this by some of the congregants. Admittedly, ours is a staid Presbyterian church and these folks were from an Evangelical background where praising the Lord out loud was the norm.
I loved it when our choir would conclude an anthem and this couple would “Praise the Lord!” aloud and in unison. It made me smile.
It really bothered me that they were criticized. Psalm 134:2 clearly states: Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
This has been on my mind off and on for several years even though this couple has since passed away.
It makes me smile to picture George and Barbara in Heaven’s congregation heartily praising the Lord without condemnation. Happy Sunday.
Remembering childhood camp songs is one of my favorite things to do. I sang them to my children and their children; how many of them will remember, I have no idea. Here is one that helps keep a smile on some faces during this time of frowns and fears. Let’s climb Sunshine Mountain today. Happy Saturday.
There many things in everyday life that we can pass on to others in their time of need, namely:
A smile A song A good thought A good word A prayer A special gift A hug A good deed A word of encouragement
Whatever moves you to share…pass it on. Happy Saturday.
Happiness Day came and went without my knowing a thing about it…but I do know I was happy. Why? Because lately many things have happened in my life to put my happiness quotient over the top.
Things like surprise visits from family, an enjoyable planned visit, a St. Patrick’s concert that was full of fun, and other special little things kept a smile on my face and in my heart for quite a few days.
Of course many things happen to dampen one’s happiness, but given a choice, most of us choose to be happy if it is in the realm of possibility.
One thing that added to my smiles was learning that Finland is the happiest country in the world. Why would that make me happy? My grandparents and their parents were from Finland. I love Finnish food. I really like seeing a Finnish name on the back of a hockey jersey…doesn’t matter what team it is.
All I’m saying is I didn’t need a Happiness Day to make me happy. It happened without my knowing it. Keep smiling.
Recently I had occasion to be in the company of some dear friends who personify kindness in all they say and do. They treated another friend and me to a night out of dinner and theater where we were all enthralled by an amazing performance of Handle’s Messiah.
When it was time to leave the theater we encountered an elderly couple making their way to the outdoors where they would be picked up by their daughter. My friends immediately took these people under their wing and spoke encouragingly to them as we waited in the cold night air for their transportation to arrive.
Now, we are a group of four of which I am the eldest at eighty-one, while my companions are still in their seventies…mere babes. The elderly couple were eighty-eight and ninety, she with a cane, and he, a rollator walker. When these dear folks were safely tucked into their daughter’s van with the help of my friends, we continued on our way to the subway which would be our means of transportation for the better part of the return home.
One of us seniors also uses a cane for temporary support and was the first to enter the slightly crowded train. As we stepped into the warmth of the subway car, four multi-cultural youths immediately and simultaneously stood up to offer us their seats.
It was the perfect ending to an evening which started with kindness and ended with the instant kindness of these four young people of various ethnic backgrounds.
It was truly a happy experience to be long remembered and I am smiling just relating it here.
You made me think. Wow! I love those words! This was a response to yesterday’s blog about My Smile Room with its new Painted Pony:
“You made me think about my smile room and I realized I have a smile house! Watching children play outside my front window, squirrels frolicking out my back window and a loving dog in my house all make me smile!”
I hope your house is smiling today. Happy Saturday.
On Wednesday I acquired a new wall hanging. It was displayed on the doorstep of a lovely shop in Bowmanville, On. and I was drawn to it immediately. It made me smile.
In the room where I hung it are photos of me with each of my daughters and sons. There is also a musical angel figurine which my youngest daughter gave me for Christmas many years ago. Along with these favorite items is an angel clock, (there is a different angel at every hour).
This newest acquisition is already a favorite and I have named it The Painted Pony. It will be my new focus for meditation.
This room is my favorite in the whole house as it’s where all my writing occurs, where keepsakes are kept, where nature beckons just outside sliding doors and where my daily quiet time with God takes place. In other words it’s my smile room. Do you have one?
My Precious Life 