Why Don't You Just Be Happy

Our weather here in the Great Smoky Mountains has been cloudy, rainy and a bit gloomy to say the least. The wind storms have thrown the chairs off my porch and bent some of the trees here. Well I don't know about you but I'm ready for the spring flowers and the warm sunshine on my face. But you know we could have snow in these mountains in April. Anything you're worried about seems even more depressing when it's gloomy outside.

Well you know that we are often worried and perplexed about things that we can't change. So we grumble and complain or just worry about them.

Remember that worrying is a little like a rocking chair. You can sit down in it and it gives you something to do but it gets you no where. Some might say it's a waste of time.

So if you can't worry about it and you can't change it, then the only thing you can do is change your attitude about it.

I love the freedom of knowing that circumstances do not have the power over me - to ruin my day by making me despondant or depressed or angry. I choose happiness.

And I learned a long time ago that happiness is not dependent upon how the day is going or my circumstances or even how I am feeling. Happiness is a state of mind and it is a choice. Remember the song "Don't worry, be happy"?

A few years ago I was performing an Indian Show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. I turned to my guest, a sweet little 95 year old Hopi Indian lady, sitting on the floor by the tipi, making her Hopi basket, and I asked her "grandma Pooyama, I know you have lived a long time and you have much wisdom so what's the most important advice you would give our audience today?"

And without hesitation she said into the mike, "Just be happy." Her neice told me that the only words she could say in English were Coke and Be happy. The audience of 2700 school children laughed but the words of grandma Pooyama that day were truly wise and will always be remembered. So let's all take her wisdom to heart and "Just Be Happy."

I hope this will give you a fresh perspective admidst the stressful circumstances you find yourself in. We should remember to be thankful that God is our source of strength, a very present help in time of need.

An old Cherokee friend of mine, Robert Bushyhead quoted that verse to me on the mountain one day - "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." So I can be at peace knowing that He is with me and He knows the path that I take.

Here's an Indian Blessing from my heart to yours - to cheer up your day.

"May you be strengthened by yesterday's rain, walk stright into tomorrow's wind and cherish each moment of the sunshine today."