The Power of a Smile

This has certainly been a powerful smile. Originally composed by Charlie Chaplin, for the film Modern Times in 1936, the words were later added nearly 20 years later by lyricists John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons, based on lines from the film. It's been covered by so many people through the years; how do you choose a version? Nat King Cole's was the first recorded with lyrics and is a classic. Judy Garland sings it like it was her own personal anthem, and I am sure it was in its own way. It was Michael Jackson's favorite song, as well, even played for his memorial. If I am remembering correctly, I believe I was told that it was my maternal grandmother's favorite as well? A person's favorite songs can sure tell you a lot about them. This song has certainly inspired many to smile through the hard times in all of its incarnations over the years.

#SmilePowerDay #CelebrateEveryDay

Playing Games with Your Inner Child

Today for #NationalChildrensDay we mostly just tried not to be jerks, but truth be told, it was hard. We had things to do, so we couldn't do anything eventful. It was honestly a pretty challenging day, and there's no pausing the shitshow; things go awry here, often, but that's par for this course. Children test us and force us to grow up alongside them. It's ironic, isn't it? Are they a cursed blessing or a blessed curse? I jest, they are absolutely a blessing, but they push every single button you have and even install a few more on you for free. Sometimes, we're the ones who need the time outs. I've learned that it's mostly because they trigger us where we need it and try to engage with our inner child. Children are from another world. They don't quite live in this reality, but we sure try like hell to keep them here and make them follow our rules. If your inner child is in exile, it's pretty hard to play with any of these critters because it's all they do. Play and pretend. "Ain't nobody got time for that, I'm over here working and being real!" "Oh, yeah? What if I told you that you're just pretending too and it's silly?" If you aren't comfortable allowing your inner child to come out and play, it can be a drag to parent. We spend our lives slowly covering up this precious, inquisitive, and playful inner being that we are born as with all of these layers of rules for this reality and how it supposedly works proper. We'd be better off taking some lessons from kids: Be present; live now. I have learned more so far from my children than I ever imagined possible. Here's to all of the children out there, inside as well as out. #CelebrateEveryDay