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

Where does the word, ‘happy’ come from?  I’ll leave you to find the origin in the dictionary.  I know this.  I certainly want to be happy; want to feel happiness.

For too many of us, I’m thinking a happy mood doesn't exist long enough.  Could it be because worry invades our hearts and minds smothering happiness?  I’ve decided, yes – a huge reason I choose to monitor my attention to the daily news.

I'm drawn to the emotional influence of good music, have written about it in past blog posts.  I'm remembering when I was a divorced-middle-aged mother of young adult children, Bobby Ferrin’s “Be Happy” shook me out of the doldrums.  Now Pharrell William’s “Happy” has me and communities world-wide laughing and moving, keeping positivity in charge. 

Lately, I've found myself listening to “Toddler Tunes”, background music, bubbly entertainment as I move about doing chores to the Music Choice TV channel.  Happy is heavily marketed in lyrics aimed at the little ones and their guardians.   From birth, it seems we are encouraged to ‘be happy’. 

Happy is good for the economy earning billions of dollars for many industries. 

  

Alcohol and, I think, non-prescribed drugs have habit making appeal as people grab a quick route toward a ‘happy’ state.   Unfortunately, chocolate,  ice cream, and cookies, potentially dangerous as well, help me make it through rough patches.   (Shopping is fairly effective also.)

I would like to see more families connected with a house of worship where their fellowship and service would help enrich the lives of families and people at all ages. I've discovered the truth in my father's advice that, "happiness is found when you help others."  

“The bible says……..”   But wait, such thinking took my mind to realize I couldn’t recall reading the word ‘happy’ in the bible.  Joy, pleasure, blessed, glad, rejoice, and cheerful?  Yes.  Happy?  The more I thought about it, the more I found myself believing ‘happy’ was not in the bible. 

But of course it is.  And, with the help of a biblically trained, deeply spiritual member of my home church congregation, I confirmed ‘happy’ is in the Bible.  The birth of a child inspired happiness as did joining with others celebrating.  Happy was noted as subjects respectfully appreciated a wise and prosperous leader.  And the thought of seeing vengeance suffered for wrong experienced projected a state of happiness.  Finally there was a pronouncement of the value of living a happy life.  See below each scripture.  

Leah’s maid bore a second son for Jacob “And Leah said, Happy am I! For the women will call me happy.” Genesis 30:13

In 1^st Kings, reading of Solomon’s prosperity- “Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea; they ate and drank and were happy.” 1^st Kings 4:20

Also in 1^st Kings, Sheba finding Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity surpassed all she had heard about said it. “Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!” 1^st Kings 10:8.   (The same is found in 2^nd Chronicles 9:7.)

 The Exiles in Babylon – “O Daughter of Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall he be who requites you with what you have done to us!  Happy shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!”  Psalm 137: 8, 9

In Ecclesiastes, The words of the Preacher referring to the sons of men, “I know there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live.”  Ecclesiastes 3:12

Summarily, my research found  ‘happy’ a mere eight times in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible I chose from my library, that being The Bible, Revised Standard Version, an American Bible Society product, latest noted publishing date in the 1970's. 

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I’m thinking connecting to ‘happy’ as a goal achievable through spending money - buying things is  an amazingly successful marketing strategy.  That doesn’t make me happy.  How do you help improve the well-being of others?   Sharing a smile is a perfect start.     

Old Friends

There’s nothing quite like friendships from way back.

Me & college BFF's 30 years after our graduation. Pic 25 years ago.

Yesterday a new friend introduced a smiling woman, her best friend, she said, since they were nine years old.  The friends beaming face confirmed it.

Ole’ devil envy momentarily crept into my being because I have no friends from my grade-school days in Zanesville, Ohio although a few names are imprinted in my memory . . . Bonnie Jean, Mary Helen, Jeannie, Ruth Ann, Dixie, Myrna.  If you read Black Star Girl you may recall how my father and mother moved us north, to rural Ohio when I was twelve years old.  Yesterday I was jealous in the aura of those ladies who knew each other since elementary school.

A few years ago, a woman at the Zanesville Public Library, waiting for my talk and book signing, introduced herself wondering if I remembered, “We used to play hop-scotch together”.   When she said her name, I did remember Shirley. It was a good moment.  

These days, I’m thinking, it’s pure gold for individuals to have mutually cared about one another down through the years – to be friends forever.  May the two whose company I shared yesterday always be together, even when they are not.  That’s how true friendships are, there’s an understanding that overcomes even sporadic contact.  

May I find myself picking up the telephone to hear the voice of a friend not heard in perhaps, years.  I had the experience last weekend.  “I’ve been thinking about you,” Ruby said.  Not until a half hour later when the telephone was back in its stand, did I realize,  with our conversation a happy calm had blessed me.  My heart was full of gratitude. 

I know what to do.  I’ll pass it on.  Old friends, you’re going to hear from me!
         

A June Blog

It’s too hot to write.

Many months ago it was so cold we mourned the misery of those days.  Zero plus temperatures kept sheets of ice underfoot. Huge mounds of icy snow, day by day, piled higher at curbsides and walkways as we tried to keep paths open.  Magnificent icicles lived overhead, growing, thriving as the sun warmed just enough to melt snow into water drops freezing, enhancing their length and girth, making them dangerous structures.  Oh happy day when we could safely fell those scary housebound stalactites.

This last day of June 2014 was warm, very warm.  If you were not seeking the hot sun and there wasn’t a hint of a breeze or the cool luxury of air conditioned by the AC, you may have been uncomfortable.  For sure, warmer days are on the horizon.

It’s summertime. Have a great one.

Rest stop traveling Route 80 last winter.

The Art of Walking Away

Think

There’s power in persuasion.  There’s pleasure in belonging.  The two can be a tough reality.

Think

There’s pride in accomplishment.

There’s pain in consequences.

Maturity calls for invoking personal discipline in word and deed.   An immature person seeks mature guidance.

Think

Yes or No is the final option.

Maybe is available for a while.

Any decision can be changed – until it cannot.

You are in charge of you.

Think.

I’m thinking, over this lifetime of mine, my best walk-away tactic has been having something else to do.  Yes, there would be another commitment; a personal or family activity or something planned involving other interests.  I’ve always been in charge of me. 

How about you?

BAD NEWS TUESDAY

Tornadoes Continue – yesterday the day started with news of death and destruction in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas because of tornadoes.  Today, it’s like a tornado, infused with steroids, expanded to wreak havoc in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, and Kentucky.  As I write this, threats of tornadoes continue.   

     Prayers are lifted for those hurt and those helping. 

Clippers – News reports say the owner of the NBA team the Los Angeles Clippers uttered despicable pronouncements related to an entire group of people.  Simply put, he made racist statements. (I was inclined to write ‘offensive racist statements’ but is there any other kind except, ‘offensive’? I don’t think so.) 

Afro-Americans were scorned in the billionaire businessman’s contribution to the recorded conversation shared with the public.  The old, old story of racism is fresh once again.   Such could be helpful.  The dialogue over the next few days could encourage those who find racism disgusting to be totally intolerant of anyone expressing opposite views. 

     I wish.

Gunman Shoots Seven – Six individuals were shot and wounded by the perpetrator who was reported to have shot himself to death.  It was at a FedEx facility in Georgia. 

Once again, gun violence brought panic and horror, no doubt drastically changing the lives of individuals and families as their day unfolded.  I am saddened.   Hopefully more of us will work to strengthen the lobby for gun-control legislation.  Laws are needed to significantly reduce these incidents of pre-planned assaults.  

     We should not be afraid to peacefully assemble.

           
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Interaction with family and friends brightened my day.           -           - From little brother Larry I learned of two authors I'm anxious to read, Sue Grafton and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 
- Daughter of best friend from 55 years back, now living miles away, generated a Facebook celebration of her Mother's birthday today.  "Happy Birthday, Shirley."
- Plans were finalized for the evening we're attending an Off-Off-Broadway production of NUNSENSE.  I can't wait!

Life is after all,  good. 

Never Bored

Music inspires me.  Amazingly, it’s a truth that escapes my sense of self for months and months.  The pleasure inherent in listening to good music is forgotten.  Then, thankfully, something guides me to again invite the art into my world and life becomes more beautiful.  As I write, listening to a playlist of favorites, I’m wishing my headphones were wireless so I might do chores centered in surround sound.  

This month a Facebook friend began posting a tribute to Jerry Scott, his friend over the years and a musical artist who passed from this world last April.  May he rest in peace. 

Curiosity led me to research; learn about Jerry Scott’s music.  From the little I found, I say he was a cabaret entertainer and much more, ala Bobby Short (1924-2005) who regaled fans for many years at New York City’s Carlyle Hotel.   In a YouTube video memorializing Jerry Scott - the man, Jerry is at his piano singing, “I’ll Catch the Sun”, a lovely song I never knew.   

Emotionally drawn to the lyrics, melody, and Jerry Scott’s phrasing I would listen repeatedly to the video.  If only it was mine for listening pleasure at any time.  I couldn’t buy from YouTube, nor was it in the iTunes store for purchase. Not accepting total defeat I listened to snippets of the song by others.  There was no connection like that with Jerry’s, but the heart-tugging features in each rendition were enough that I downloaded all.  See below.  Including a great piano performance by Jerry Scott, I bought thirty-six minutes of personally soul-stirring music, total cost $10.27 – a fabulous bargain!

La Stangata (The Sting) - the Entertainer	Jerry Scott	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch the Sun	Barry Rose	Song	$0.69
I'll Catch the Sun	Jay McShann	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch the Sun	Frank Chacksfield Orchestra	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch the Sun	Glenn Yarbrough	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch the Sun	Amy Allison	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch the Sun	Jay McShann	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch the Sun	Newell Oler	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch the Sun	Sarah Morrau	Song	$0.99
I'll Catch The Sun	Barry Crocker	Song	$0.99
God is Good.  Last evening, I added the Jerry Scott version – that which initiated my infatuation with the song.   I am grateful to the good friend who located  “Jerry Scott . . . By Special Request” his 1996 CD and got it to me.  “I’ll Catch the Sun” is No. 5 on the CD.  On my playlist, it is now No.’s 1, 6, and 11 giving me 50 minutes of soothing, memory provoking, grace inspiring music when I might have succumbed to noisy TV.

There’s just too much going on in todays media tech world for boredom to be in charge of me.

How about you?