While dealing with, grief we often forget to smile. We aren’t noticing things that are still there that we would have smiled about in the past. An easy way to deal with this issue is to be mindful.
I noted that I wasn’t feeling very happy lately, so I started paying attention to my surroundings, and immediately, I had much to smile about. My friend was visiting, and I noticed she had on a really cute dress that I hadn’t seen before. When I complimented her, she smiled and did a few model poses, and I smiled right back at her. That felt so good, and it was easy.
Later I was sitting where I could see my back yard. There is so much to look at, and I was amazed at the beauty of ever-changing view. I remembered that last year I had the huge avocado tree harvested and I was able to donate the half a ton of avocados to several food banks who feed the hungry. That made lots of people happy. The tree is heathy, beautiful, and strong, and I smiled at knowing we will have lots to donate again this year.
After this beautiful day, I wrote in my journal creating a smile list include some of the things that make me happy like these:
- Painting watercolors
- Baking cookies
- Watching puffy white clouds float by
- Watching the sun rise or set
- Seeing rainbows
- Hearing the neighborhood children laugh and play
- Writing letters to friends
- Getting and giving a hug with a friend
- Smelling fresh laundry when it comes out of the dryer
- Listening to many kinds of music
- Playing with my neighbor’s dog
I could go on and on. I am sure you can relate to many of the items on my list, and I am sure you have many of your own. Now is a good time to write a smile list in your journal. Make it as long as you can and be sure to leave room to include more things as you think of them. Notice how you feel as you write the list. You will probably have lots of smiles, and a few tears may sneak in too. Take good care of yourself as you write your list.
Whenever you start to feel down, return to this page in you journal to help you to remember you how beautiful your smile is.
Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief
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