I don’t really do New Year Resolutions but one etched its way into my consciousness the other day. I was out at the beach with hard rain belting off my cheeks in the mad wind. I had my head down battling along and when I looked up I saw a parting in the clouds and all of a sudden the whole place lit up for a few moments to reveal a blue sea, golden sand, green fields, coppery cliffs …..
Nature was smiling warmly; that’s the only way I can describe it and it made me feel so good to be there to witness it.
Nature smiles warmly lots of the time. I know I don’t smile half enough BUT I’m determined to try and change that from here on in.

I’ve been thinking about all this for a few days now and these lines from Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s poem, Solitude, keep coming to mind:
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
I think there’s a lot of truth in them but it’s a truth that needs to be changed as we need to ensure that people know that they don’t have to put on pretend laughing masks or ever be alone whilst weeping, unless they want to be.
So, I’m all for the warm smile that says it’s fine to be YOU, no matter how you’re feeling.
Happy New Year to you all and may it be full of warm smiles!
I love this…so…Happy New Year to you all and may it be full of warm smiles back to you:)
Glad you like it, Olga. Smiling at ya!
So lovely! Happy New Year Jean XOXO
Thanks Lennon. Have a smiling 2016!
Lovely post. It’s easier (and it takes less muscles) to smile than frown. Most times, I get one back – perhaps hesitantly… but still a smile. 🙂
Frances, it’s great, isn’t it, when one sees the hesitant smile broadening?
Reblogged this on Perth Words… exploring possibilities. and commented:
It’s easier (and it takes less muscles) to smile than frown. Most times, I get one back – perhaps hesitantly… but still a smile. 🙂
Thanks very much for the Reblog, Frances. (Smiling warmly!)
Happy New Year! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you via our blogs.
Many thanks Sheryl. Here’s to 2016!
Beautiful, all of it…
Many thanks, David.
I see you are wearing a great smile, Jean… Stay positive and keep them coming.
Hi Dana, I’ll do my very best.
What a wonderful photograph and post….thank you for sharing. 🙂 Lisa
Hi Lisa, many thanks for writing. Mush appreciated. Happy New Year!
I can feel the warmth of your smile from where I am. It’s travelling through all the rain, grey, and wind, to infect my face with a smile, too.
Wishing you many smiles and a song in your heart, Jean, throughout 2016.
That’s lovely, Sarah. Thanks so much and have a great 2016 yourself.