Inspiring Quotes for Caregivers — 4/15/09: Smiles For You
Smiles for You
Smiling is infectious; you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin
When he smiled I realized I’d passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected
Let’s start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!
~ Anonymous
Photo Credit: HAMED MASOUMI’s photostream
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Smile
Lyrics by John Turner and Geoffery Parsons – 1954
Music by Charles Chaplin – for silent movie “Modern Times” 1936
Smile though your heart is aching,
Smile even though it’s breaking,
Though there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by.
If you smile through your fears and sorrows,
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you.
Light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness.
Although a tear may be ever so near,
That’s the time you must keep on trying.
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile.
Photo Credit: Lucas Jans’ photostream
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Smiles are powerful. Here are a few questions for you to ponder. I’d love it if you would share your thoughts in the Comment section below. If you want to learn how to comment click here.
As family caregivers, sometimes it’s very hard to keep smiling. Do you do so even when you’re “down in the dumps?”
Do you find smiling at people around you in your daily life helps cheer you up?
How does your care recipient respond to your smiles?
How do you feel when your care recipient smiles at you?
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Everyone needs smiles. Please pass this along to someone you know who can use a smile today! 
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Linda, you have asked a difficult question. I am a natural smiler! It takes a great deal of unpleasantness or stress to wipe that off my face. My care receivers sometimes feel that it is silly to be like that, though when they smile, I simply love it too.
I’m a nursing home psychologist and while a lot of people who don’t work in nursing homes think it must be a depressing job, I find I’m often sharing a laugh with the residents there. It can be very healing to find the humor in a difficult situation, or to simply be two people sharing a joke, no matter the age or circumstance.
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD
http://mybetternursinghome.blogspot.com
You asked about smiling:
“Do you do so even when you’re “down in the dumps?”
I try to because I’ve learned while caring for others to be much more accepting of what life dishes out.
“Do you find smiling at people around you in your daily life helps cheer you up?”
Definitely– my hubby who has survived a heart attack and a stroke is my biggest cheerleader and he is always smiling and cheering me on.
“How does your care recipient respond to your smiles?” I have 3– my folks and handicapped sister and they all prefer me smiling. They are each aware and very appreciative.
“How do you feel when your care recipient smiles at you?”
I’m happy that they are healthy and happy.
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Thanks Linda– as always great post! I hope you will join me for this week’s Eldercare Carnival!
http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_6644.html
Mary
I feel that if I smile while “down in the dumps,” the person I’m smiling at knows it’s false anyway.
Fortunately, our household enjoys tickling the funny bone often, and smiles are a natural by-product.
I just wrote on the bathroom mirror for my husband, “I love how your smile can warm a room and a heart.”
Hi rummuser,
I am a natural smiler too, but didn’t become aware that I was until I was an adult. I’m glad I am. It doesn’t surprise me at all that you are one — your smile shines through the words in many of your blog posts. And who cares if our care recipients think we’re silly for smiling — as long as it works for us.
Hi Eleanor,
Welcome to TLeC! “It can be very healing to find the humor in a difficult situation, or to simply be two people sharing a joke, no matter the age or circumstance.” So very true! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ll be over to check out your blog soon, too.
Hi Mary,
When you say “I’ve learned while caring for others to be much more accepting of what life dishes out,” I believe this idea is what helps me to keep smiling through the harder caregiving times, too. It sounds like your entire family has a positive outlook based on the smiles in your world. Good for you all! Thanks for the invitation to join the Blog Carnival again.
Hi Elderguru.com,
Welcome to TLeC! I must be a better actor than you are.
Or maybe I’ve just had more practice at smiling through tough times in my life. I will be over to check out your blog, too. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Lori – SpaceAgeSage,
How romantic! Did you write to your husband before you read this or after? LOL — I won’t take any credit for your lovely idea!! Glad smiles abound at your house, too.