Smile Makers
Posted: April 19, 2012 Filed under: happiness 8 Comments »
This little cookie has brought a big smile to my face today! It was brought to me by one of my very good friends who I have the pleasure of working with every day. She was spouting off about, “Being a fountain instead of a drain,” and spreading yellow sunshine by way of sugar cookies. This act made me thoughtful about the byline of this blog, “Make your own happiness.” It really doesn’t take much to make our own happiness, and take responsibility for the fullness of our own hearts. We often get caught up in the day-to-day worries about finances, deadlines, parental responsibilities, traffic, squirrels eating the garden, etc. etc.
Recently my son’s truck and all of his welding tools were stolen. It was quite an expensive loss for him, and I woke in the middle of the night distraught and upset by this injustice. He called me the next day, and I said, “I couldn’t sleep because I was so worried and upset for you.” He said, “Mom, there’s not a thing to be done about it. I just have to chalk it up as a lesson and move forward.” How easy it is though to get stuck in the mire and muck of everyday life and forget to move forward!
When my son was visiting Indonesia, he remarked over and over, “These people have so little material things, but they sure are happy.” They lived in tiny little shacks with a hose for a shower, no refrigeration, and the chickens lived inside. He didn’t speak the language, but every night shared a wonderful meal and hand-gestured conversation with his landlord. The fresh food was grown in the little garden beside the house, grilled outdoors, wrapped in wax paper, and eaten with fingers. They laughed, joked, smiled and drew stick-figure drawings in the dirt to get the point across. One day my son bought a watermelon and shared it with the other families who lived in the complex. The little kids squealed with joy at the unexpected treat from their funny American, “Bro.” That picture, too, makes me smile.
I started this blog about knitting and wanting to share how happy that makes me. I was thinking tonight that maybe the blog is not just about the physical doing of knitting, but about physically constructing my own happiness with the fibers of every-day life: enjoying the bits of spring, cookies, dogs, chickens, smells, flavors and textures of happiness.
Because of the little cookie pictured above, we made a “challenge” to start an epidemic of smiles. We have been participating in a book study by reading Malcolm Gladwell’s, “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference.” This has inspired our little department to share some “smile” makers throughout the organization. We are not sure of what it will consist. We hope to do some candid pictures of folks getting “smiled” on throughout the project! I challenge you, too, to start the day, by going out of your way to make just two people smile today. What could we start with an epidemic like that?
Arkansas Smile Report 5/6/12
I open the mailbox and there is a letter from Frank. (smile)
It is a manila envelope that I take back to the front porch.
The dogs all gather around. They like it when I set on the porch.
I pet each one under the chin.
“Wag your tail if you’re happy”, I tell them.
They are all happy. (smile)
In the envelope is a greeting card with a beautiful picture. (smile)
In the picture is a cabinet made of old wood
with things found on the shelves
along with a nice black hen and a basket of eggs. (smile)
I read the handwriting inside the card and at the bottom
I see it’s from H.
Wow little H. (smile)
I see a little bare foot girl in a sleeveless dress
with a little brother in bibbed overalls with no shirt or shoes
and a big sister with her front teeth missing.
It was a vision from a long time ago when you lived across the bridge at Hans’ place. I lived in the little house up the hill.
I read the writing again and the sanity of it all is healing and healthful. (smile)
Frank and I write back and forth.
I think we help each other deal with the insanity of our time.
He doesn’t do computers or cell phones.
So we use envelopes with stamps.
I printed off the bird feeders post and the one about the drinking gourd that I’ll send him in my next letter.
He’ll be smiling then.
Speaking of smiles, your comments brought huge smiles to my face and tears to my eyes. I love your words — I love seeing your dogs on the porch, and I love you sharing these happy memories. Although several years later (and a few gray hairs), I still feel like that bare-foot girl. Thank you so much for visiting, and sharing with Frank. He and I have recently started a “by-US-Mail” therapy too!
What a wonderful thought … that you’re knitting your life out of all it’s daily threads!
Annie: Thank you so much for visiting. Your blog at knitsofacto is such an inspiration to me. Hugs!!
Cute cookie, Cookie! Thanks for the smile.
I have not read the book you suggested, but read another one, years ago, about happiness being a choice. I am not much into “psychology” as it usually blames ones problems and deep rooted psychosis on someone else, but this book had a good point: We are usually unhappy because we don’t get our way…….
I am finding, as I minimalize my projects, obligations, stuff, and “treasures”, I am also minimizing my “wants”, whether they are for myself or other people. Gives me more time for the little things and the smiles. Have a Great Day!
Exactly, Linda! That is so true. Now, we have time for much more important things including building relationships with those people we like and love
Well, the cookie made me smile and now I am ready to knit and that makes me relax and feel a smile as I knit away. You are an Angel for making me feel so thankful for all parts of my life and for making me smile. Thank You.
Yes, we are really amazingly blessed in this country, and in this day and age! On another happy note, I’m re-watching season one and two of Downton Abbey. I remember you loved those too. They are so much fun!