Today I read an article that described what a difference a smile can make. It brings joy to the one smiling and to those who encounter that person. My mom told me a long time ago, “Smile until 10:00 am and you will smile all day long.” I thought about that and realized how true it is. Sometimes I try to intentionally put a smile on my face. When I am out and about, I notice that people around me respond in a more positive way than when I am cranky. One of my mom’s friends recently passed away and as she wrote out the card yesterday, she said she remembers the woman always smiling. Later today, I read an article about an young Carmelite nun from Argentina who suffered tremendously for years with lung cancer, yet, “Those who saw her spoke of her face as showing peace and joy…” Her community told her story and posted some pictures of her beautiful, radiant face as she prepared to meet Jesus in death. It is a short life we have here and I hope to live it more joyfully.

I Found God today in a reminder of the power of being joyful.