You don’t need a reason to be happy. Just be happy.- elm

Morning calendar check: medical calls, move furniture in prep for carpet guy, go floss, take vitamins. A small whiney voice of “oh dear, too much to do“ is whispering in my left ear. My particular “too much to do” (TMTD) is like a mini-demon holdover from days of yore when my perspective on life was sometimes “life was no fun for me.”  Not a good place to be. My particular TMTD is alert to any twinge of discomfort I may have, whether physical, emotional, or a wisp of financial insecurity. These days TMTD tries to move into my “space” in the guise of being self-righteous about the tasks of living a healthy, clean, orderly life. Chores, although quick to accomplish, take on an intensity not warranted. 

May 6 Holidays

As I scribble the reminders in my already-crowded May 6 calendar space (do you sense that whine flexing its egotistical muscles?) I notice a small asterisk on my calendar. Hmm, what’s this? Click and I’m cyber-zoomed to a website May 6 Holidays. Interesting. Today is Nurses Day. Nice. And Crêpe Suzette Day. yum. 

And… The Great American Grump Out – first Wednesday in May. Today! Down the rabbit hole I go. A day to focus on humor and positive behaviors; set aside complaints; embrace joy; pause. If I am a mirror, whatever I send out will be reflected back to me. TMTD, Begone!  No mini-demons here today. Smile, go to laugh yoga online. Dance.

The Grump Out is certainly not a new idea. Nor limited just to today. An older relative had her own version of addressing a Grumpy Gertie. “Jeez, your face will freeze like that if don’t watch out.” Definitely a fear tactic. Being young and curious, I went into the bathroom, stood on a little bench to look in the mirror over the sink to see how long I could hold that pouty look. Too hard and besides, it made me laugh.

NO Grumbling/Be Happy

Without fanfare “No Grumbling” has had my back. My sisters and I have been doing skits, dance routines, and songs for decades. The laughing comes as we practice and then see our video results. Twin and I choreographed a full routine for our high school sorority. Anyone out there remember Green and White sorority at Calhoun High School in Merrick LI NY?  The song? “Put On a Happy Face.”  

Thank you, Janice A. Hathy, who started the Great American Grump Out in 2002. Janice was the founder of Smile Mania, and passionate about promoting smiles and no grumbling. Today’s holiday site and AI links tout more of the positive effects – less stress, a smoother time out in the everyday world, good vibes coming back to you, have an easier day, and it might even lead to a kiss.

OK, now I’ve got “Happy’ on YouTube and Pharrell Williams is in the house, singing and dancing. “Clap Along if you feel like happiness is the truth. Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.”

It could really be any day, or be bold, every day. Click:  24 hours of happy

Even my SEO Analysis is happy

Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, and semi-retired from coaching, and professional editing. Founder of the Eastside Tucson Writing Room based in Tucson AZ, she’s posted 100s of blogs, and is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, gather writers together, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys teaching, speaking, and storytelling at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, Tucson Tellers of  Tales, Center for Spiritual Living Tucson, New Story Pod, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.