Like a small glimmer of light far away on the water,
It is there.
Like the knowledge that one wave will come after another ends,
It will come.
Like the next note that follows the one before,
It will sound.
Like the cleansing wind that brings fresh after the still,
It will roar.
Hope.
c 2023 Lisa Lyons
Yesterday, someone tried to take my smile. I was at the supermarket, and I greeted the person and smiled. They proceeded to glare back at me with pursed lips and no greeting. I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, but it did. It made me question the smiling, the greeting. Maybe I’m just annoying, I thought. Maybe I should stop smiling at people so much.
But that is wrong. People need smiles. Not annoying smiles that are inappropriate and placed when people are grieving or in pain, but encouraging, I’m glad to see you smiles. Smiles that make us feel good, or at least better.
“Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.” — Unknown
“There is fear when frowning. There is love when smiling.” —Maxime Lagacé
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” – William Arthur Ward
¨Smile at strangers and you just might change a life.¨- Steve Maraboli
“If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of your own, because no one needs a smile as much as those who have none to give.” — Samson Raphael Hirsch
¨A smile cures the wounding of a frown.¨- William Shakespeare
“Keep walking and keep smiling.” — Tiny Tim
I wish I could see all of you readers in person right now. We could smile at each other, and we would feel so much better. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Smiles and blessings,
Lisa
This is our cockapoo dog, Finnegan. He is almost ten years old, and he is a wonderful companion.
As he looked out at the new surroundings on our last vacation, I wonder what he thought. Probably along the lines of….”What is that? Is that a creature? I want to go down there and get it. If this wood just wasn’t in the way. Is it time for treats? Where is Mom and Dad? What was that?” Or maybe he was just content and happy. I love to think about what he thinks.
He loves to run free off-leash, but on vacation and in strange places, it’s not safe for him to do that. So that’s why I say ‘almost-best.’ Yet, that leash and those deck railings provide him safety. Which gives him his ‘best life,’ full of pets, rubs, treats, reliable dog food and water, walks, ball playing, car rides, and comfy beds to sleep on practically all day and night.
Note to self: the things I see as restrictions can sometimes be working for my good. Hmmm…much to ponder now. Which I like.
Love, Lisa
This is the somewhat true story of an older seagull that resides somewhere in the vicinity of Pemaquid, Maine.
He had always been active. He loved to fly, to fish, to dive, to compete with the young gulls for the choice bits of food. But time passed, and he realized that he didn’t feel the need any more to overachieve. His wings and feet were a little cranky, and he felt happy just walking up and down Pemaquid Beach on a quiet day. He occasionally flew and got his food, but mostly, he walked and looked and was.
And he was happy.
The younger seabirds shook their heads and thought, “We will never be old and boring like that.”
But he wasn’t boring; he was just happy with his beach.
I watched this bird for a long time as I sat on Pemaquid Beach a few weeks ago. And as I watched him walk along the shoreline, I hoped sincerely that he wasn’t injured. I couldn’t see anything untoward. Mostly, he just seemed content and happy.
Enjoy your day; enjoy your beach.
Blessings, Lisa
Time is what we have
A gift of space, laughter, breath
Seeing, hearing, sensing, feeling
So many emotions rolling through like waves
Write it all, the good, the bad
The confusing, the maddening
The beautiful, the touching
The laugh out loud and weep all night
Writing in time to capture the wonder of life
c2023 Lisa Lyons
Think About These Things 