babies

i know not everyone loves babies, but i don't understand them at all. even babies have their bad moments when frustrated, but mostly they just seem like happy little people in awe of the world around them. they delight in new things as they taste, grab, and shake them. they get excited when they do something for the first time, like rolling over. when they see someone they love, they give a great big grin. those grins are worth a million bucks. as adults we do less exploring, get less excited about life, and we might even smile less.

if you know a baby, enjoy them. we could all learn how to be more positive by imitating these delightful little people.

light

you may have noticed, i talk a lot about light. it is a connection to spirituality for me. i don't believe in one religion alone. i don't believe there is only one way to look at life. i make room for the possibility of more than one right answer. no one knows the answers. when i think about spirituality, i go with what makes me feel good. light brings those positive feelings for me.

please note: i don't try to make anyone believe the way i do. i just share my thoughts.


there's a christian song, 'this little light of mine.' here's my adaptation:

this bright light of mine
i'm gonna let it shine...
and
you have it too
i'll help you let it shine...
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

quakers (friends) believe that we all have a 'light within.' there is 'that of God' in all of us. i agree. not everyone knows they have it. not everyone pays attention to it. certainly, not everyone acts on it. yet, i believe it is there.

so i am here to shine my light as far as i can. i will continue to share my smile and look for the light within each person i meet.

sunshine

my friend, elizabeth, and i were talking about how much easier it is to be in a good mood when the sun is shining. there is actually a reason for that! serotonin (the hormone associated with elevated mood) increases when exposed to bright light. sunshine is a natural anti-depressant. conversely, melatonin (the sleep hormone) increases as light fades, so nights and cloudy days can make us sleepy.

now i know why i haven't felt so cheery lately (besides the usual frustrations). this spring has not been consistently sunny. today in fact, the clouds keep coming and going. while i love the cool temperatures, i'm looking forward to more sun filled days!

for now, i'll have to focus on the light inside me.
hope you feel it when you see my smile.

interactions

have you ever thought about the influence you have on others? i believe that the people we encounter in our lives help to shape our outlook.

when you pass a stranger on the street, do you avert your eyes or give a smile? when you're out shopping, do you thank the cashier or just nod? when a co-worker needs help, do you offer assistance or look busy so you won't be bothered? when a family member calls, do you answer the phone with a weary sigh or a bright "hello!"? when a friend wants to make plans, do you take every chance you get to have a good time?

the way you interact with others shapes your life and theirs. what kind of influence do you want to have? how will you shape your own life?

i offer you my smile and wish you well.

anger management

i want to be clear about my attitude. i am an optimist. i am almost always smiling. i love bright colors & rainbows.

that is not to say that i don't get sad and angry. i have difficulties like everyone else. my life is not easy. my days are often filled with struggle.

i choose to acknowledge my grief and anger, express it, and move on to other feelings. this is not easy. sometimes it takes me hours or days to move on, but i do. i choose to spend my time doing things i love. i choose to surround myself with positive friends. i work hard to make my life as joyful as possible. if i can spread my joy to others through this blog, i've done something to make the world a more positive place.

i wanted to be clear that my smile is what i want to share, but i can relate to other people who struggle to smile themselves.