Winning Words 6/13/11
“Be pleasant until 10 o’clock in the morning, and the rest of the day will take care of itself.” (Elbert Hubbard) Hubbard published a magazine with “butcher paper” as the cover, because “there’s meat inside.” Among his friends were H.J Heinz, Billy Sunday and Booker T. Washington. He’s known for his clever way of writing. I wonder if he followed his “10 o’clock” advice, and if it worked. ;-) Jack

FROM PRJM IN MICHIGAN: The best way for me to be pleasant both before and after 10 am, is to stay in bed till at least 9:30. :-) Not gonna happen, though.////FROM JACK: Even if it's a half hour before 10, that seems to be enough time to put on a happy face (and disposition).

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: This quote sounds very apt to me. Set ourselves a little goal and it will help propel us to the longer goal. When the hard times come again, (so far this morning I'm not anticipating a huge struggle being pleasant all day long but you never know), I'm going to remember this quote to help me still try to act kindly and pass it along to others struggling and who need to know they only have to bite off a little to chew on at a time, we don't have to feel overwhelmed and too troubled and anxious trying to be something all at once, we can grow into it. Actually this WW even sounds sort of Biblical--we reap what we sow.////FROM JACK: The old saying is generally true. "When you're nice to people, they're nice to you."

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY: it must work. if one can muster up pleasant for the early hours it seems logical that pleasant will continue throughout the day. it takes more muscle energy to frown than it does to smile! ////FROM JACK: Since I'm usually up at 5 am (4 am your time), I have extra time to prepare to be pleasant. It takes longer for some people than for others.

FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: Guess I’d believe it works…I’m an owl not a lark so the first couple of hours are the most challenging to meJ////FROM JACK: I like this song....You can probably sing it, too.
Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
I knew a girl so glooming
She'd never laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me
Now she's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face

FROM BLAZING OAKS: You probably remember that funny prayer, in which one thanks the Lord for all the bad things they haven't done , (like lash out in anger, speak ill of anyone, been unkind, etc. etc.) and it ends with "But now, Lord, It's time to get out of bed, and I'll need your help...." When you live alone, it might be easier to hold on until 10:00. :-) Hopefully, that WILL set the stage for a pleasant day.////FROM JACK: It's 5:30 in the afternoon, and the day is still pleasant. Of course, I just got up from a nap.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: What if one sleeps to 10?////FROM JACK: You tell me. Are you pleasant at 10:01?

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Yes....By that time, I've been up for almost three hours. Time to smile.////FROM JACK: When you're getting up, I'm ready for a nap.