I thought about my younger self and how she created the story of her life through the choices she made and the smiles she gave. I thought about the faltering steps, new discoveries, happy and unhappy surprises, wasted worrying, successes and sometimes sad endings and rude awakenings. I thought about the times she postponed joy for some vague future when she wished all would be better. Beyond the dramatic chapters of challenges met and unmet, there are still fresh pages to paint in whatever mood she chooses.
Her older self picked up some lessons along the way from people like the Dalai Lama who said: "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." and from a Yiddish Proverb, "What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul." Even actor Alan Alda had wisdom to share. "When people are laughing," he noted, "they’re generally not killing each other."
More smiles less worry is obviously a good thing ... as is channeling the wonder and bright expectations that endured within that little girl.
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