Don't Forget To Smile :)

That is the big message for me today - the first workday of the year. Thanks to my Belle De Jour Power Planner for the very timely reminder. Sharing it here for those who might be in need of it. :)

There's a tendency for us to get caught up in our daily tasks, with the urgency of what's coming up, and the distractions of being online. And we forget to smile.

With all the rush and stress of wanting things to happen a certain way, we lose the enjoyment of each moment.

In every moment, there's a capacity for happiness. It's not that we need to be ecstatic, full of pleasure, excited or even joyous every time. Who needs that kind of pressure?

And it's not that we can never feel sadness or anger or stress. It's that we can feel happiness, in some form, any moment we like, even in the midst of stress and sadness.

It's exceedingly simple. We just need to remember to smile. You can smile in each and every moment.

It changes your life, because too often, we miss the smile-ability of life when we are not paying attention.

I had a great first day of the year and this morning, I was all ready to win the first workday of 2014. On my way to the GMC, I received a call from Mama. When I heard her crying, I knew something went wrong. She told me that Lolo Banoy (Papa's father) is already gone. He has been sick since last month but yesterday, according to the stories of Papa's siblings, Lolo was very enthusiastic in conversing with them that they even thought he's already well. They never imagined that it would be his last night. Life is short. Death is certain.

In order to be able to send some financial support to our relatives there, I decided to pawn Teddy (my laptop). Sigh.

But that's not the end of the story. I admit, I felt sadness, and to some extent, despair. But hey, the year is just starting! No room for negativity! :)

And so, right after the morning worship (where I really poured my heart out to God), I did exactly what I had originally planned: Check my weight! :D

For the first time in a long while, I am no longer underweight! Hooray!

Official weight: 100 lbs

BP: 100/70

That made me not just smile, but extremely happy and fulfilled. And that started my workday - full of joy, enthusiasm, love, hope, and dependence on God's providential grace! :)

As Nat King Cole sang, smile though your heart is aching, smile even though it's breaking.

Our journey is never without struggles, never without difficulties, never without reasons to cry, but definitely never without a reason to smile. :)

Cliche, but definitely so true: Smile. God loves me and you! ♥

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