Thoughts from here and there…Put On A Happy Face
It was what one radio personality called, “a moody and introspective day.” You know when the cloud cover is deep gray, the showers are falling, and you feel somewhat closed in and tired. It is a good day to take a nap, but you have too much to do.
As I was contemplating the day I thought of a song and started to sing “Put on A Happy Face.” by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams that reads:
Put On A Happy Face
Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy
It’s not your style
You’ll look so good that you’ll be glad
You decide to smile
Pick out a pleasant outlook
Stick out that noble chin
Wipe off that “full of doubt” look
Slap on a happy grin
And spread sunshine all over the place
And put on a happy face
Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face
And if you’re feeling cross and bickerish
Don’t sit and whine
Think of banana splits and licorice
And you’ll feel fine
I knew a girl so gloomy
She’d never laugh or sing
She wouldn’t listen to me
Now she’s a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
And put on a happy, happy face
Put on a happy, happy, happy face
Oh, come on bubby, smile its your birthday
I thought to myself, “How do you put on a happy face when you are not happy?” There is another song that fits right in here. It is called “Smile.” The tune was written by Charlie Chaplin, the words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by…
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just…
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just…Smile
Smile as though you are happy and as you do you will be able to overcome the gray clouds and the unhappiness. It is called intentionality. You intentionally smile when you don’t feel like it and in time you enjoy a change in attitude, and you will smile. Try it, it really works.