For Saturday, May 31st, 2025

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 2025

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks,  and boring grays of your every day.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

In TEXAS

 Sunrise:    6:32 am

   Sunset:   8:27   

pm

Life is a special  

o

 

ccasion!

Hallmark

Today is National Smile Day which was founded by dentists Dr. Tim Stirneman and Jim Wojdlyla of Compassionate Dental Care in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.  This day was meant to share with the world what the power of a healthy smile can do.  This day heralds the beginning of National Smile Month.

There is a theory that humans copied monkeys and apes, who bared their teeth in a facsimile of a smile to show off dominance and warn off predators and over time, the smiles evolved to show amusement and enjoyment.  As one way to portray happiness, smiles were a way of attracting mates among early humans.

If you ever wondered why older portraits often showed unsmiling people, it was people in that era had a lot of tooth rot caused by sugar and laughing showed a lack of self control and good manners,  One of the few  exceptions was Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.  The portrait showing her smile is part of its fame.  As denists and attitudes developed, people began smiling in portraits with teeth on display.

The prevalence of smiling in the recent past is linked to culture and traditions and varies country to country.  The biggest reason that people smile, can be attributed to a countries diverse immigration over time. One country shared their smiles to another.   The smile is known to be part of a universal language,

French neurologist, Guillaume Duchenne, who studied the mechanism of facial expressions, discovered there are two types of smiles. A Duchenne smile and a non Duchenne smile. The former smiles with the eyes or is a genuine smile.  Whereas the later is ambiguous, non genuine, or simply a polite smile. In the 1950’s it became the norm to smile in photographs.

It turns out that babies are better at smiling than the average adult.  They smile about 400 times a day, while on average, adults only smile about 20 times.  One study found that 80-90 percent of all laughter is in response to simple statements like it was nice to meant you or I’ll see you later.  Data has shown that smiles make you feel good, and they create an increase in productivity and creativity in workers, and make people seem more competent and trustworthy.

The more we smile, the healthier our brains become.  This is because Smiles reduce our blood pressure, heart rate and can increase our indurance, strengthen our immune systems and keep the cells in our body healthy. 

Celebrate today and smile. Spread good cheer around.  We often don’t realize that we wear a frown most of the day.  So smile today and see what a difference it makes.  

If you cannot see the bright side polish the dull side 

THOUGHT  FOR TODAY

 

Just for today, smile a little more.

James A. Murphy

Smiles are something my grandchildren and children give me a lot of.  Their joyous faces when I see them or talk to them make my life feel like it’s been worthwhile.

Even when bad things happen their smiles can cheer me. I remember coming home from work one night completely worn out, but then DS#4 called me and but his boys on the phone so I could hear their laughter and giggles, it renewed me like nothing else had ever done.  

I’m blessed to have a loving and supportive family.  Even when they are no where nearby, I know they are there for me.  Nothing in my life could make me happier.  

Today is my grandson’s birthday party.  He has a lot of friends coming over and DS#2 and family will be here, as well as a few friends of the family.  As usual there will be plenty of good food and fun to be had!

I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Peace begins with a smile.

Mother Teresa

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

13,446. for a birthday party I can attend

13,447. for my family and all the smiles they give me.

13,448. for lots of good food and cake too! 

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters and EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

A laugh is a smile out of control!

a smile,a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma