A Year of Smiles – Day 292

Reason to SMILE #292: MUSICALS

I can hear the doubt filtering through cyber space now. “Really? Musicals?”

Ab. so. lute. ly.

I love a good musical. Musicals draw me in, engage my senses and emotions and create a longing within me to jump up and sing at the top of my lungs. I really should’ve pursued a Broadway career. (Hahaha! I’m laughing at myself right now! 😉 )

My husband and sons don’t share my affection for musicals, however. (Imagine that!) I once took them all to see the movie Frozen. They agreed only because the trailers for the movie showed scenes of a goofy little snowman and a big oaf of a reindeer frolicking in the snow. As soon as the first song began, though, all three of my boys, husband included, turned to me and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me this was a musical?” Well …

Not all musicals are created equal and I’m sure a true aficionado of musicals would have a vastly different definition of a “good” musical than I do. I’m a simple little lady who’s a sucker for happy endings, innocent stories and fantastical whimsy. I’m talking The Sound of Music, Grease, Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz and Sister Act. Ooooh, or Sister Act 2. Now, that’s a musical that makes me regret my decision to not pursue a career in music. When that kid hits that high note near the end of “Oh Happy Day”, it makes me wanna shout. I could do that! (Hahahaha! I’m laughing at me, again!)

Well, that’s my case for musicals. Though some of you out there agree with the men in my life that musicals rank right up there with having a root canal, I think they’re wonderful. They make me SMILE.

Now, do me a favor. Listen to this:

Oh Happy Day, Sister Act 2

Minute 2:51 – YESSSS!! Ah, c’mon! There’s no way that didn’t make you SMILE!

 

 

 

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A Year of Smiles – Day 290

Reason to SMILE #290: EEYORE

I think of all the characters in the Hundred Acre Wood, my favorite has to be Eeyore. Oh, there are other creatures in the Wood more pleasant, more cheerful but I love that pessimistic old donkey. I just want to cuddle up beside him, scratch him behind the ears and tell him everything is going to be okay, even though I know he wouldn’t believe me.

I may actually know a human or two like Eeyore. You know the ones – the people who always see the negative, who see the glass half-empty, who find the smallest bit of darkness in the midst of overwhelming light. Many people try to avoid these Gloomy Gusses in life. The thing is, though, God loves the Gloomy Gusses just as much as he loves the Suzy Sunshines.

And they need to know how much they are loved. We need to park ourselves beside them, put our arms around their shoulders and tell them everything is going to be alright – yes, even if these “Eeyores” won’t believe us. It’s what God has called us to do.

Is there an Eeyore in your life? Show God’s love to him today and keep on showing it. You just might see a SMILE on the face of that Gloomy Gus one day!