Today's thought is:
When they take your smile away they might just as well shoot you.--Violet Hensley
Violet is one big smile. And it's not the result of having an easy life. On the contrary, she has worked doubly hard all her life to support her family. However, she has a joyful attitude, and it has made the difference in her life. Now in old age, she still works hard making fiddles for sale and performing music; but she loves every minute of life, and when you're with her, you love it too.
Why aren't we more like Violet? The answer always rests within us. We have decided how to respond to life's trials. We were never forced to dread, hate, or appreciate our experiences. We were, and still are, solely responsible for our interpretation. The Violets of the world opted to have more fun.
How do we begin having more fun? The first step is deciding to leave the past behind. No matter what our experiences were last year or in our childhood or even this morning, they don't have to determine what our experiences will be in this next hour. Having more fun is clearly a decision that is coupled with action. Any one of us can do it as well as we want to.
Smiling at myself in the mirror is good practice. Offering one to the first person I encounter strengthens my desire to offer more.
I'm learning to move beyond those experiences that have held me captive for so long. Finding happiness is the natural consequence of doing so. Facing fears, moving through them, and being released from their bondage has given me hope and strength that I can offer to others. If not for the hope and strengths of those who have walked the path before me this would not be possible. Thanks to the many who have walked the path and have show me the way.
11 comments:
Hi Rex, checking out your wonderful blog filled with lots of amazing stuff. I love to smile, it relaxes the muscles in my face (when it is a true smile, not a false one that sometimes occurs out of habit ;)
"Facing fears, moving through them, and being released from their bondage has given me hope and strength that I can offer to others. If not for the hope and strengths of those who have walked the path before me this would not be possible."
This stood out to me. I have hope from the fellowship not only for myself, but for those suffering (my father is homeless -- his life today shows me truth about the Dz and my path if I choose to live in darkness).
I see your clean and sober date. It is coming up and close to mine. This is really cool. I'm adding you to my recovering peeps blogroll! Have a wonderful day.
Rex,
I am new to blogging, but got your congrats on one year. It feels great.
I will mark my calendar to congrat you on your first year.
Mike
Rex,
Thanks for the congrats. You too are coming up on a year. I will be around to wish you well.
Mike
Rex,
Thanks for the congrats. This is my third time typing this, I do not know why it is not going through, but if it is, then consider yourself thanked thrice...
Great post...I've lost my smile this week! As you know I'm a woman like Violet and I have to agree with ...The Violets of the world opted to have more fun... It's also true about leaving the past behind...past events, people and actions. I find when I am using the tools relying on God it's so much easier to smile.
That was a good read for me this morning (Fri). I still allow my surrounding, other people, etc determine my happiness to a large extent. I spent a good chunk of yesterday feeling sorry for myself, mad at my employer, blah blah blah... I finally gave up, and went home, took my son to hit golf balls at the driving range. We were there for nearly 2 hrs, took my mind off stuff, it was a great way to spend a "crappy" day... So, I guess I chose my own happiness after all.
I think I'll try smiling more today.
Thanks for the inspiration :)
Smiling at you...
Most excellent.
I see you,
JJ
No one can take your smile. You have to give it to them.
this is an awesome post - leaving the past in the past. i am so grateful for having learned how to do that and also learning how to not let current events turn into situations similar to our past.
I love your blog still, yet, and again. :) thanks for sharing.
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