Happiness is Contagious

Saturday was the 3rd anniversary of my spinal cord surgery.  I actually had Tethered Cord Syndrome (google it for info) and was told I would end up paralyzed from the waist down if I didn't have the surgery.  Of course, the surgery was dangerous and could have paralyzed me instantly.  I had an 18 to 24 month recovery period.  It's been a long and hard road since that day three years ago.

What I have learned from my experience is life is precious and we all tend to take things and people for granted.  Life is short and we had better get up off our butts and live it to the fullest.  If we have a dream NOW is the time to pursue that dream because we are not getting any younger!  Life is too short to go around sad and all down in the dumps.  Get up every morning and put a smile on your face whether you feel like smiling or not.  I think 99% of the time that fake smile will become real by midday.  Always have a kind word and a smile for the people you come in contact with.  Whether it's the meter reader or your neighbor... smile and say something nice.  Happiness breeds happiness!  It is contagious, I promise!

I would bet that everyone who sees me on a regular basis thinks I am the happiest person in the world.  No one knows the heart break and difficult times I have experienced in my life.  If you knew, you would probably think I am insane for smiling all the time.  Have I ever felt like giving up?  I've come close but, have never let myself cross that line and I NEVER WILL!  I have too many things I want to do and to experience to let anything get me down!!

I will never live long enough to create and/or sew all the creations I have floating around in my head.  Since I was a young child I have loved to sing.  I forgot to sing for about 20 years and now I am relearning something I've always loved.  I can't tell you how much joy I get from sewing up something or making jewelry and giving it to someone special.  I can't tell you how good it feels to me to get up and sing a song during Karaoke and have people clap for me.  There is nothing better in the world than helping someone who is having a little trouble in their life or they are really down and out and you bring them a little happiness for a moment.

We never know what a smile or a little word of kindness can mean to a stranger or a friend!  I would love to hear from my readers.... tell me, do you smile on a regular basis?  Have you had someone smile and say kind words to you and instantly it made you feel better?

Nanette
The Crow's Nest