Today is the Day to Smile!

 

Have you overworked your facial muscles today by smiling too much? There is an axiom that it takes more facial muscles to frown than to smile. I don’t know if that is true or not, but I’m going to error on the safe side and find as many reasons today to smile as I can.

I just finished cleaning one bathroom floor. That’s a reason to smile. I only have one left. Smile again.

I had some writing adventures this week where I started at 6:30 am in the morning and by 5:30 that evening, I had one sentence written. That might be even more than a smile. I might have to laugh to survive. What I did in between all counts as writing…it just doesn’t look like writing.

Today, several days later and many further attempts to put on paper what I was seeing and feeling in my creativity center, I am smiling that I have that section completed to my satisfaction. And I am smiling for all the co-creative creatures, thoughts, and inspirations that got me there.

I smile for the blessing of my family and friends and for the loving companionship and partnership with Tom. We smile and laugh about a lot of things special to us. It’s great to share a smile.

And I miss my friend, Lois, who always had a joke, a twinkle in her eye, and a tale of mischief to tell.

I smile when I think of her.

My face muscles get a pretty good workout on most days.

 

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Encouragement is Good

 

We never grow to old to outgrow the need for encouragement. Something that is so freely given to young children, as they learn new life skills…walking, talking, reading, riding a bike, joining a sports team, entering an academic contest, or simply succeeding at the next right thing for them.

We give this.

Today, I am thinking about giving it to ourselves and other adults around us. Encourage myself to follow a healthy food plan, not berate myself for straying into greasy or sugar treats. I can encourage myself to clean just a corner of my living space, and not find fault for the dust I see and a chore left undone, due to tiredness. I can look to a new week, in which I can set goals and create a vision for how this week can best be happily lived. Not give any negative attention to what’s been left undone, but devise a step by step, easy-step, baby step times to make the undone disappear into completion.  And I will do that.

I will encourage myself to do that.

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Look Up to the Stars

 

The birth of our grandson, Andrew was an event no less than the creation of the stars, recounted in the Bible.

 

In fact, I gave him his birth scripture that told us about the creation of the stars, and how God made man and woman no less than the stars and gave us dominion over all creation.

 

Andrew embodies that dominion within him as I watch him grow into full manhood, now a first year college student. This dominion he carries in his wide smile, his gentle ways, and his passion for perfection and musical magic with discipline.

Andrew has studied voice, percussion, piano and leadership with this talent and he, I am sure, will have stars named after him in his life of love and service to humanity.

Dominion comes with responsibility. He carries that responsibility well. I will listen to his drum beat.

 

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Now is the Time

Dear Lois,

This one is tricky, right? They say timing is everything…they also say no time like the present…and again…now is the only time we have. They say… time and time again. 

Time and time again, I have had to turn to my faith and trust in my God.

Time and time again,  I haven’t liked the pain in my now.

Time and time again, I have seen my joyous acceptance of the Exquisite Blessings in my life and find I never question them.

Time and time again, I have found the faith to accept a difficult now, and then comes the strength to bear it.

Time and time again, I have learned that surrender opens my way to the only part of the path that I need to see at this time.

At this time, I call upon the loving presence of the God you love and who loves you, to satisfy your every need.

 

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