SMILE- Jerry Smiley

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 SMILE: a facial expression that is characterized by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and indicating pleasure, amusement, or decision. (The American Heritage Dictionary)

Of all the last names I could have inherited, I was blessed with the last name of Smiley. The pronunciation of my last name usually compels people to laughter. Some even ask “What did you say your last name is?”ꟷ “Is that really your last name?”ꟷ “That must be your nickname?” ꟷ Or, “Stop kidding, that isn’t your name!” People sometimes say, I’ve never meet anyone named Smiley before. An attempt to utter my last name often produces strange facial expressions too. I used to be ashamed at such remarks. However, at this time in my life, regardless of the jokes, laughs, or off hand references to my name, I have actually come to cherish my distinctive and somewhat exclusive last name.

People used to remark, “For someone with the name Smiley, you sure don't smile.” Sadly, this statement was true because In my mind, I had absolutely nothing to smile about. The many failures I had experienced in my youth induced the feeling that I was indeed a failure. At that time in my life, I found myself plagued by depression and worthlessness. I sincerely felt my life had no purpose. Today, those feelings are gone because God has helped me see that I have much to smile about. Contrary to what many people believe, they too have a great deal to smile about. In fact, I've learned that it’s needful for all of humanity learns to smile each day and every day.

A smile is possibly the most life altering expression demonstrated. Furthermore, never has a smile harmed anyone. If anything, a simple smile holds the potential to alleviate otherwise awful or tragic situations in countless ways. Under no circumstances can I say the struggles of life are not stressful. These emotions can easily become toxic to the point they affect one's emotional and mental health. Even so, one of the best antidotes to such feelings can be a hearty heartfelt smile. Friends just smile it may brighten someone's day. The late Sam Walton for one used a smile to propel himself and his signature store chain Wal-Mart into a billion dollar business venture. Wal-Mart stands as a household name. Today this store-chain is nationwide and the signature smile is still being utilized with every customer. Mr. Walton’s example is a fitting example of the far reaching potential of a smile. Friend a smile may transform a person life. There is no denying a smile connects on an emotional level that has proven to provide opportunities to build friendships, enhance marriages, create job opportunities, further careers, and so many other things.

A smile in my opinion has a voice of its own and has numerous benefits. A smile may encourage a single mother who does not know how she can survive while trying to raise her children alone. A smile may inspire an individual that has just obtained a diagnosis to be determined that they will not give up. A smile can brighten the day of an elderly person that may be feeling all alone. For it can bring about a positive outlook on someone's day. A smile can even brighten the day of an individual who does not feel like smiling. A smile can convey I care about you and your well-being. Friend just smile its proven to affect others.

Concerning myself I have learned that a smile makes me comfortable when meeting new people. Personally for me a smile has proven to effective combat many negative emotions that are trying to suffocate me. Smiling has better helped me to come up with effective solutions to facing and overcome life challenges. Why smile? Because neglecting to smile may mean I desire to hold on to negative and toxic emotions that are seeking to suffocated me. For example, I have determined that each day I will begin my day with a smile before encountering anyone.

For those who practice the art of smiling. A smile always produces the opportunity to receive a smile in return. In fact, I encourage you to smile at ten people today you never know what may happen. By practicing smiling what was once viewed as an occasionally occurrence will become a daily habit. Once it becomes a daily habit smiling will be second nature. At all cost, don't allow smiling to become a lost art my friend.    

 When exploring the history, as well as the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, one is met head on with the artist’s disability. Living in the days lacking modern medical treatments, Van Gogh experienced some mental health issues that was proven to be detrimental to his well-being.  

As you began to read his work, you’ll notice that his maladies are not much different than our own present day afflictions. He had difficulties, initially expressing what was in his mind onto the canvas. He experimented with different types of paint palettes in which he had to have known affirmed his artistic talents to himself.  

Upon seeking help through an institution, he’d concluded to break away from character painting and focus on the flowers, the grass in the field and other natural settings. In my mind, his expressing of how this new setting seemed to achieve a balance between the two types of compositions, is remarkable.  

He had implied that the natural state of the flower was stagnant, and that that gave it its beauty. I gather that was the ‘constant state of being’ that he might have been in search of. It was one without all the outside noises of poverty, lack of friends and loneliness. 

 The earlier paintings of people and portraits, somehow seemed to have tortured him. As I gaze upon the painting of “The Potato People”, I get it. The sufferings of their plight was naturally etched into their faces. Perhaps, this was one of the reasons anxiousness and depression began to set in with Vincent Van Gogh.  

As art critics focus upon Van Gogh’s techniques of experimenting with light vs dark, and as the painter himself expressed as simultaneously-contrast; a closer examination will point you into another direction of the abstract work waltzing into a realm of another reality.  

When Van Gogh described these paintings of the peasants, he stated that he was painting them in their ‘natural’ state. Clearly, to me, the strokes are exaggerated, distorted, and harshly done. This may have been the onset of the mental health anguish and expression of how sadly he must have felt for the people and their way of life. Perhaps, he saw himself slipping into their predicament and lost his footstep of where he was going.  

With art being a mental health tool to alleviate anxiety and depression, I applaud how after the treatment that Van Gogh did receive in the late 1800s, he was able to redirect his focus to a place more pleasing to him. The Metal Health Benefits of Art - Scripps AMG, states that ‘art affects mental health in that creating art takes your mind off of your everyday life and provides a relaxing distraction.’  

Black History Month

How do you condense a peoples history into one month, that goes into prehistory? Or even celebrate a month that was given to you by the same people that deny your true and authentic history? I was surprised when my youngest daughter asked me, not too long ago, how come during black history month we only hear about the same couple of people? Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, and Abraham Lincoln. It trips me out that our history is only presented as if we come into the world stage of history only during and after the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, or that Black People start their march in the world during reconstruction, or during the Civil Rights Movement. With no proper guidance, or understanding, how can we give the proper context of who we are and what we really and truly represent as a people. A lot of my people don't see the relevance of knowing who you are, or understanding how the truth of who we are, has been white washed, and remixed to keep us out of the narrative. (His Story) is the facts, Mystery (My story) is conjecture and I should get over it, lol, do you see the issue here? Remove the veil, and do your own research, let's not let other's decide for us what we should know and understand about who we are. I could give a history lesson here but I wont, just know that there is reason why they only give the children a narrow view, without context, a small minded view of Black History. We are ancient history right in your face in the present. It is on us to expand the lesson through knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and experience. Know Thy Self. One love to all. 

Peace, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. there have been many challenges dealing with incarceration during a pandemic. the same challenges that I know people are trying to overcome in the free world. we are all connected by a common thread, that thread is called Life. we live it and we learn from it. what I've found in the adversity is the answer. we are all dealing with the seperation of family and friendship, in and out, that being the case now is the time to draw closer to the ones we love. love is a verb, an action that is demonstrated. Reconnect, show your love to your loved ones because we all need it at this time. one love family peace