Why I Keep Sharing SMILES

To some, it may be silly. To others, pointless.

To some, it’s naive positivity. To others, a resented point of view.

To me, it’s a necessity and the SMILES will continue.

They must continue…

Since the onset of this COVID-19 craziness, I’ve experienced a myriad of emotions.

I’ve gone from fear of an unknown virus ravaging the world and destroying all I hold dear to anger over the decisions made by others, decisions that affect my safety and the safety of my family.

I’ve moved from sadness over the death of people that I know, that I’ve worshipped with, that I’ve worked with, to relief over my own suspicious symptoms being deemed non-virus related.

I’ve worried about family and friends, praying for the safety of those who remain healthy and for the healing of those who are fighting for their lives in isolation.

I’ve been grateful that my job is considered essential, that I can make a paycheck, pay my bills, buy groceries, while simultaneously feeling guilty that I’m still working when so many are not and are struggling to make ends meet.

I’ve been anxious, stressed and overwhelmed as I’ve navigated these uncertain times with a husband who has been dealing with major health issues, non-virus issues, but problems that seem to have no remedy, problems that keep arising and causing him to worry, stress and be overwhelmed.

I’ve found solace in Scripture and listening to worship music throughout the day only to have that consolation disappear as the lights turn out at night and the prayers begin…

Why, God? How much more of this can we take? How long, Lord?

I am emotionally exhausted.

There are times I want to give in to it all – to the fear, the anxiety, the stress. There are times when I can barely fight back the tears, those same tears that flow so freely as I’m writing this post. There are times I feel helpless believing there’s nothing I can do to make things any different.

But maybe I can.

Maybe, I can hang on to my faith. Maybe, I can trust that no matter what happens, all will be well. Maybe, I can share that hope with others.

So, guess what? I’m going to keep grasping for reasons to SMILE. I’m going to keep thinking of ideas that will spread those SMILES to others because I need to. I need to focus on the light, on the hope. I need to focus on the Source of that hope.

If I don’t, well…

My sanity, my emotional health, my faith, my hope – there’s just too much at stake.

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Reason to SMILE #6: HUGS

I give warm hugs.

This is the message on one of my t-shirts. Beside this message is a picture of a goofy little snow man that seems to be falling apart.

You know that snow man, right?

He was really popular a few years ago when that one movie was released.

Remember that movie?

It was the one with princesses, a bad guy pretending to be a hero, a reindeer and an ice delivery man who becomes a reluctant hero.

Ring any bells?

No?

Okay, I’ll Let It Go then.  (Yuk – yuk – yuk)

Anyway, I feel a bit strange when I wear this t-shirt because I’m not usually one to offer hugs freely. It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t know why. Don’t get me wrong. I give hugs. I hug my family. I hug folks I haven’t seen in ages. I hug those who offer a hug to me. But I don’t go around hugging every person that I see every time I see them. People who do that are true “warm huggers”. They have a gift.

There are times, though, when I need a hug – times when my heart is heavy, when the burdens of life overwhelm, when there’s no answers to my problems and I just need to be held. During these times, a warm hug is most welcomed and does so much good.

It’s amazing the power of a hug. A hug can lift spirits and lighten a load. A hug can even reduce blood pressure and improve emotional well-being and overall health. It’s true! I read it on Facebook! 😉

Well, I do know one thing for certain – a hug given at just the right time can make the heaviest of hearts and loneliest of souls SMILE again.

So I suppose I shouldn’t be so stingy with those hugs!