Don’t you love to be around cheerful people? You know – the kind of person who walks into a room and fills it with a certain light of gladness. The kind of person whose bright disposition chases away the dreariness of the day and lends an infusion of happiness to the room. The kind of person that inevitably makes you stop what you are doing and smile. There is nothing artificial about this person. The pure joy of his soul just bubbles to the surface and infects everyone around him. Cheerfulness is a natural for him!
I recently saw a TV interview with a man who had been cruelly blinded by a random act of violence. Pure delight with life made his face glow. His statement was this: “When I was blinded, I had a choice to make. I could be bitter, feel cheated, and bring misery into the lives of others; or I could be cheerful, glad to be alive, and bring encouragement into the lives of others. I chose to be cheerful.”
A close friend was struck down over a year ago with a massive stroke that left him without speech or any movement on his right side. When he awoke form the coma, Luke made a decision, too. He chose to be cheerful. The contentment of his soul makes its way to his face. You can see it there in his radiant smile and bright eyes. If you visit Luke, he makes sure you feel better because you came.
Cheerfulness is a state of mind and heart. It is the result of a mind of peace and heart of contentment. It has nothing to do with outward circumstances and is not contingent on any of life’s situations. Cheerfulness is a willingness to choose joy.
People who bring cheer into this world have chosen to look at the light, not at the darkness. Their lives are not free from trouble or pain, they have just decided that darkness will not overcome them.
Today, choose to be cheerful. Dispel the darkness, and set out to bring joy and laughter to all around you. Have a peaceful mind and a truly contented heart, and allow your face to mirror that. Decide that other people and outward circumstances can not take your joy away. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble, but be of good cheer! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)
Make sure that seeing you makes the day brighter for others. Leave them better than you found them. Let your smiles be contagious and your happiness be genuine. KEEP YOUR FACE TO THE LIGHT!
“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!” – Jesus
PRAYER: Father – Let me be a source of gladness and light to all around me.
Monica Boudreaux
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A Pastor's Thoughts 
i really hope that one day i can have the same attitude. Regardless of whether or not I believe in god t the time 🙂
Thanks for reading. My thoughts are with you.
Reblogged this on Walking With My Brother and commented:
Yes…and again, yes!! I have worked to teach my children this lesson all their lives. They have oft resented my insisting they try (“just try,” I would beg) to smile as they got out of the car to go to school in the morning. Smiling will lighten your heart. You will feel better. But you have to first choose to smile. Fast forward 15 years and they have confirmed this tried and true technique and encouraged others around them to choose joy and happiness and optimism, choose to start with a smile and let the healing begin! Bless you for this post! Mary Adrienne