QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment. ---Tony Robbins---

SMILE YOUR WAY TO HEALTHY LIVING

Do you ever take time to watch people? Look at their faces? Often I notice people wearing frowns as if they were etched in their foreheads at birth. The corners of their mouths curve in an exaggerated upside-down smile, their gait is sluggish, shoulders are stooped and their eyes hold no declaration of pleasure. I wonder what they are thinking of, what are the burdens so heavy as to carve such an expression of heaviness on their countenances.

Once in awhile one of these people will glance my way. What to do? I smile! Perhaps even say, "Good morning!", or just a simple, "Hi! How are you today?" Usually my smile breeds more smiles, their faces light up and they go on their way with a little lighter step. But there are some who refuse to even look to the right or left; their focus is straight ahead as if they wish to remain in their own darkened world of thought. They want no help. They want no look of encouragement. They want no cheering smiles.

"Just leave me alone," they voice wordlessly.

And I do. Leave them alone, that is. If my smile cannot kindle a returning smile in another, I'll just keep giving it away until someone responds and accepts it. Hopefully in turn those who receive it will pass it on. For a smile is not something to keep for yourself. A smile is for giving. And also forgiving!

They say that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. To be exact, 43 to frown, 17 to smile. That's interesting. It means that it is far easier to smile than it is to frown. Then why so many frowns? Perhaps it's merely habit. Perhaps there are burdens too heavy to bear. Perhaps they feel that no one cares anyway, so why bother to smile? Whatever the reason, I am determined to keep on giving away smiles whether or not I am rewarded with a reciprocal smile.

If only they realized all the extra effort they are expending to frown! If only they understood that a merry heart doeth good like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22 KJV). Oh, if they would only accept the fact that Jesus died on the cross to take away those frowns! Then they would be filled with such joy that those upside-down smiles would turn right-side up and light would shine from their eyes.

Let's start an energy-saving program, put away those frowns and display a smiling, happy face and bring a little cheer to those around us. We will be happier for it, it will please the Lord, and others will feel the benefit. You will know healthy living as you take a dose of the medicine of joy. Smile, smile, smile! As they say, "You'll be glad you did."

☻ ☻ ☻

MUSIC AND HEALTHY LIVING

Can you imagine a world devoid of music? No silver tones of piccolo, no resounding of bass drum, no harmony of bow on violin strings taut with melody, no crashing of cymbals, no mellow crooning of saxophone, strumming of guitar strings or resonant echos from nimble fingers on piano keys, no tinkling chimes, no reverberating notes from pipe organ, no voice of singers pouring out lilting lyrics from the song in their hearts.

I believe that music is an essential part of healthy living, a form of therapy to help troubled minds, used in stress management and listened to simply for pure enjoyment and relaxation. Music can alleviate emotional suffering, bring comfort to grieving hearts. Music can lull babies to sleep. It has the power to change the direction of our thoughts, to bring joy in times of depression, to soothe aching hearts, to calm the troubled waters in our lives, even refresh memories of times long past. The angels sing around God's throne in divine melody that echoes throughout eternity. Music is a divine elixir to needy souls, causing us to ascend out of the mundane into heavenly realms.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
---Berthold Auerbach (1812-1882)---

But what is music to you may not be music to me; what is music to me may not be music to another generation. Personally I am blessed most by listening to instrumental classical music, the music of Chopin, Mozart, Handel. I am lost in Fuer Elise (music pictured above) by Beethoven as I play it on the piano, and a violin rendition of Meditation from Thais by Jules Massanet causes my spirit to soar.

I recall being asked years ago by my pastor to accompany him on the piano during his violin solo of Meditation. We had no practice together until we actually performed it in church, but it was a wonderful experience akin to worship. If you would like to hear this music on YouTube, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhKkjIC2SWk&NR=1 If classical music is not your forte, I would ask you to 'hear' this with your spirit rather than your mind. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Then there is a so-called music that is no music at all, composed of harsh noise, commotion, disturbance, confusion, distraction, evil words and can lead to evil thoughts and deeds of violence. This is the devil's 'music'. He is the great impostor, the perpetrator of everything ungldly, and has deceived many into believing that what he has to offer is good. It's our choice what we listen to. My choice is music composed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit whether classical, gospel, old-time hymns or whatever brings peace, joy, encouragement, worship.

He, the Creator God, has created His children to imitate Him--to create. Music is part of this creative ability bestowed on humanity. And music will follow us into the courts of heaven itself. We will sing praises to the God of our salvation throughout eternity. What a blessed heritage we have!

Music! I thank God for it!