"If You're Happy & You Know It..."

                                 *~*...HApPY....*~*

"If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it!
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands....!"

     Um....so.....what if you don't know it?  What then?  Are YOU happy?  Does your face show it? 

                                         Hmmmm....

          I am convinced that many of us don't know if we are happy.  We want to be.  We crave it.  We achieve those happy feelings at times; we clap and smile....and later...we may feel guilty about it!  Crazy.

~>"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God."  

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 <~

     I encourage you today to find at least one thing that brings you joy! It may be a friend or loved one.  It may be an image of beauty that surrounds you.  It could even be a trinket or a treat!  Perhaps it's a favorite scripture or a song.  Whatever can draw your mind to the positive side...focus on it for just a bit!   Bring a smile to your pretty face!  Coax a happy tear or two from your eye!  Hum or sing loudly!  Savor a moment!  Close your eyes and dream!  
       When my kids are extra grumpy I tell them to "...Smile big...show ALL of your teeth..."  It's pretty funny to see them going through the motions, drawing their lips back and baring those pearly whites , more like a growl than a smile.  "...ALL of your teeth...,"  I'll repeat.  The lips go farther back and the gums begin to show.  "Perfect!"  I exclaim.  Then we have to laugh.  The grump vanishes and the silly child emerges!   

     You should try it if YOU feel especially grumpy one day.  Look in the mirror.  Smile BIG.  Show ALL of those pearly whites.  Smile harder.  Let your gums show.  I KNOW you'll smile for real.  Maybe giggle a little.  The grump will vanish and your silly little child will emerge.  What a joy you are!  I hope you know you are a treasure....a perfect creature...filled with creativity and talent and endless possibilities!   Be encouraged today and...if you're happy....and you know it... CLAP YOUR HANDS!!!