I couldn’t help but see the bad news broadcast everywhere last week about the economy. I’m not smart enough to know how to interpret all the numbers, but I’m bright enough to get the basic gist: things aren’t great.
The economy is still struggling to recover from the big hit it took in 2008. I don’t know how you’re holding up but I thought I’d take a moment today and share some Mission 2BHappy thoughts about the ongoing global economic crisis. I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that this is the MOST perfect time to go on a mission to be happy!!.
Ironically enough, it’s a M2BHappy belief that we’re going to be seeing more people showing us how to find happiness during a global economic crisis than any other time. Why? BECAUSE people are going to be compelled to help each other. Start this instant and look around (not on television, but around- around, like your neighborhood, your city, your state) and you’ll be amazed at how good people are. Celebrating how much goodness exists adds to your own happiness, and can be inspiring as well. To remind me where to look, I’ve added this anthem to the M2BHappy mix. As you listen let your mind lock in the ways you’ve seen “us shine” in your life. You’ll smile.
Listen:
Someone shows some kindness
Someone gives their time
Someone helps a neighbor
See us Shine
Someone lifts a brother
As he falls behind
Someone shares his burden
See us shine
See us shining everywhere
Every color every kind
At the dawning of a brighter day
Hope will lead the way and see us shine
Someone says, “I’m sorry”
Someone knows it’s time
Time for some forgiveness
See us shine
See us shining everywhere
Hope is in our hearts and minds
They’re reminding us it’s no surprise
Love is everywhere just see us shine
And it doesn’t where you are
Some heart will be Shining
There’s a method in the gladness
To stop the madness
See us shine
Someone throws a line out
Someone holds and climbs
Someone’s there to catch them
See us shine
See them shining everywhere
Every color every kind
At the dawning of a brighter age
Hope will lead the way
And see us shine, shine shine shine
Hope will lead the way and
See us shine
This song has so many clues to help us find happiness through service, thoughtfulness, friendship and forgiveness. But this song, by itself isn’t sufficient to make an important point: Happiness found serving and loving our “neighbors” as ourselves BEGINS with our closest neighbors. Our families.
Speaking from the perspective of a “provider”, I’m acknowledging right here that there can be a tendency to equate the amount we can provide as the evidence of our love. Hence, when we can’t provide as we once could due to the economy there’s a misunderstanding of how successful we are at serving our loved ones.
That’s why this article demands another song, edited on to the end of the See Us Shine tune. This is the song that “providers” with little or no dough-re-mi can use to express their love to their families.
Listen:
WHAT D’YA GOT
My girl worries that the end is comin’
How can we live on next to nothin’?
She keeps stretchin’ out every dollar
No more dining out or bottled water…and I’m tellin’ her
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE WELL RUNS DRY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU CAN’T GET BY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE MORTGAGE RISES
UNACCOUNTABLY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE CUPBOARDS BARE
WHAT D’YA GOT IN THE FRIGIDAIRE
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THERE’S NOTHIN’ THERE
BABY YOU GOT ME
My kids focus too much on pleasure
They think dad’s sittin’ on a buried treasure
I gotta message that might surprise them
When their old man can’t subsidize them
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE CHECKS ALL BOUNCE
WHAT D’YA GOT KID THAT REALLY COUNTS
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE BANKS ANNOUNCE YOU’RE A LIABILITY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU’RE OVER DRAWN
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR CREDIT’S GONE
WHAT D’YA GOT THAT KEEPS HANGIN’ ON
BABY YOU GOT ME
Guess I made a promise back when she was twenty-three
I’d be there to answer every call
Even though I couldn’t see that there’d be times like these
I have learned what to say, it’s been my way to say it all
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU’RE OVER DRAWN
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR CREDIT’S GONE
WHAT D’YA GOT THAT KEEPS HANGIN’ ON
FOR ETERNITY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN IT’S ALL A MESS
WHAT D’YA GOT NOW THAT’S NOT WORTH LESS
WHAT D’YA GOT THEY CAN’T REPOSESS
BABY YOU GOT ME
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN IT TURNS PITCH BLACK
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THERE’S NO PROZAC
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU AIN’T GOT JACK
BABY CAN’T YOU SEE
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR DREAMS GET SQUASHED
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR WIRES GET CROSSED
WHAT D’YA GOT THAT JUST WON’T GET LOST
BABY YOU GOT ME
When times are tough economically we can show the ones we love HOW MUCH we love them by simply BEING THERE. It’s not the stuff we give ‘em, it’s the love. And people who may want to join me on a Mission2BHappy can discover the joy of telling their loved ones how much they love them A LOT!!!! It’s part of opening ourselves up to the happiness we might be missing. And let me add this: Your unique way of saying “I love you” is essential. Do it your special way, but make it a habit. Make it sincere, but do it. And when you can’t find the “perfect way” to say it or show it, trust the Source of all Love to guide you. No sincere effort to express true love is ignored on either side of heaven. It’s become, for me, a M2BHappy axiom.
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