Musing about the happy face

I had a conversation today about "putting on the happy face" and how exhausting it can be. The person I was talking to said I was wrong to even put on the happy face in the first place...asked me why did I do that and why did I think I needed to. So I started musing about the reasons why. One definition of happy in the dictionary is:characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind.Thus...a happy face is appropriate if you want to indicate pleasure, contentment, or joy in your face.  Scenario: You are in a social setting and someone comes up to have a conversation with you. They say, " how are you doing?" You say, "I'm feeling great." They say, "You are looking great!" If I didn't have my happy face on and I was still feeling great, would they think I was feeling great? The flipside of this is I may not be feeling great at all either physically, mentally, or emotionally, but do they really want to hear all my problems at a social event? Probably not. Putting on the happy face is an important part of being in a social environment. But when I'm home or when I'm with people who will just be comfortable with me whether I'm feeling well or wearing the happy face or not...ahhh that is comfort at it's best. 

Another reason to put on the happy face is that it is has been taught and expected of me during my growing up years on into my career years. As a young child I remember hearing from my parents, "why the gloomy face?" If I explained the reasons why I had the gloomy face, I was told that it wasn't as bad as I thought so I needed to change my attitude. My first job taught me that the customer is always right. All my years in customer service demanded a happy face and a smile in my voice - no matter what was going on inside my head and body. I can see the value in that. If I'm a customer, I don't want to feel bad for the person taking care of my problem as a customer. I don't want to hear about their problems at home or what their job is like. I want to feel good about being a customer and doing business with them. 

 Therefore I rest my case. The happy face is an important part of our physical being. It is appropriate in some environments. The masks we wear at times is not about hiding who we are, it is about being who others want us to be for their happiness...like our gift to them.
Awww...that feels better. No need for "the happy face"...just really being content with that smile on my face.

 

11-11-11 A pleasant day to cherish

Christian taught Sally how to play Go Fish. Sally taught Christian how to play Rummy.

I had such a nice day yesterday! I've been staying with my dear friend, Sally while her daughter and son are away on a trip. Sally had gotten up a little frustrated from losing her hearing aids two days in a row. I found them for her and fed their dog, Sandy. They live right next to the trails west of Jordan Rd. and it it so pleasant to walk up here. Sandy actually walks me. She takes a different route almost every time. Yesterday we walked up the trails and today, we walked towards Uptown Sedona. She's a good dog. She was feeling spunky yesterday even though it was overcast skies. She does not like stormy clouds, wind blowing, rain, or snow. After our nice walk, we came back to have breakfast with Sally. Mid-morning my grandson, Christian came over along with my lil' Rascal. Steve had a job and would be gone too long for them to stay by themselves. Christian and I took Rascal and went on errands while Sally visited with one of her friends that dropped by. When we got back, I baked chocolate chunk cookies while the two dogs, Christian and Sally amused themselves. Let me tell you, we were very afraid for Rascal to come over because Sandy is not usually friendly with other dogs. Three bites and Rascal would have been history. Pictures speak a thousand words. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story but I can tell you that my heart was happy with the laughter and everyone getting along including the dogs. Christian had the opportunity to spend the day with TWO grandmas. A peace has started to grow again in my heart one day at a time.

Christian decided to brush Sandy but he thinks she preferred his comb over the brush I gave him.

Rascal watched patiently for a few minutes but got bored and went to find the squeaky toy.

This squeaky toy was a little big for Rascal so he pushed it around with his nose until he was able to pick it up

There was no way he could run with it but it made me laugh to see him try.

Daredevil Museum_Niagara Falls- What were they thinking??

On the American side of Niagara Falls, we stopped at this little convenience store/souvenir shop that Lois and Richard had found when they first came last summer. It is off the tourist strip and very inconspicuous. It has the neatest displays though of some of the things people have created to go over the falls. It was almost closing time for the season. In fact, the man there at the counter was one of the Daredevil team who helped people over the years actually be successful at this feat. He said after they had been arrested 12 times in one year that they decided to give it up and just have the museum and souvenir shop. And of course, the memories! I found the displays fascinating!