; as tears of sadness soak the ground

when life seems to be too heavy,

i think the best thing to do is put on a smile & push forward;

not letting people know the weight pressing down on your chest.

there's a myriad of ways life can beat you down,

but one should never stop smiling.

there are so many more things to be happy about!

the sunshine warming the earth beneath our feet,

memories made & memories to be made,

the sound naturally flowing water makes,

the way history has proved mankind to be a strong & enduring species,

or even the way a simple conversation with a simple friend can cheer you up.

i have an experiment i want to try out.

in my [time-tested] favorite city & colour song "body in a box",

dallas green sings,

"we celebrate the life of the dead.

it's like a man's best party only happens when he dies.

we gather around to pay our respects while their souls are still searching for the light.

searching for the light."

i am continually moved by dallas green's lyrics.

this song in particular, has moved me to wonder

what if i could make someone feel like they've had "their best party"

for just a day, while they're still living?

which brings me back to my experiment.

i'm going to find a way to make different people, each day, happy.

i want them to have at least 30 seconds where they feel supreme.

i want them to be momentarily cheered up, if they are feeling otherwise.

i want them to feel noticed amidst the chaos of life & friendship.

people need people.

our emotions can wear us down.

& every once in a while, we have to be reminded why

life is beautiful.

it can be difficult to remember why people say that.

there are disconnects in understanding that life is beautiful,

& remembering why this is so.

it's in those small moments when a friend compliments your clothes,

your intellect, your writing, your hair,

or your spirit that we catch glimpses of why life is so divine.

it's also in those 2 minutes we spend admiring someone else's grace

without thoughts of jealousy or envy.

today at work, a patient told me

(after discussing my schooling/career choices)

"you are very energetic & passionate.

i can see that you are committed to what you do,

& i think you will succeed in whatever you choose to do."

this was the first time i had met this patient,

& his words left me with a profound feeling of awe mingling with rising relief.

i was amazed with his selfless assessment of myself

during the time that was supposed to be spent focussed on his dental work.

i was also amazed by how simple it was for this man

to turn my day around in a matter of 30 seconds.

later tonight, i sat talking with a good friend of mine.

as we bantered back & forth

i again felt the same profound feeling i felt earlier this morning.

"you have a lot to talk about, anna, & i am here to listen

& at least pretend like i care." (said with slight sarcasm on that last bit).

peaceful relief abounded.

these were both simple conversations without consequence or importance,

& yet, they both had distinct gravity in my "emotional being" today.

the point is,

we can all make a difference in one another's happiness each day.

& i will be striving to act upon that ability more often than not.