Jack’s Winning Words 6/12/19 “If you see someone without a smile, give ‘em yours.”  (Dolly Parton)  An article in the LA Times says that researchers have found that Americans are significantly less happy than they were in the 1990s.  While the economy has rebounded, life satisfaction has declined.  It gave reasons for the drop and suggestions for helping.  If a friend is having a rough time, do something that shows you care...just listening is good.  Dolly suggests sharing a smile.  ;-)  Jack FROM NORM'S MILFORD BLOG:  As a society, we have become a bit more introverted and insular. I blame the rise of the smartphone for at least some of that. We have allowed ourselves to be captivated and  captured by a device that steals time away from everything else, including our interactions with other human beings. We may not even notice the frown or sadness on the face of those that we encounter because we are too busy looking at our phones. We certainly don’t take the time to ask what is wrong, and since we can’t Google that, we just move on to the next attention grabber that shows up on our screen.  So, perhaps the first step to all of us getting better and having smiles would be to put  down those smartphones and take a good look at what is going on around us. Step two might be to make sure that we put a smile on our own face. I’ve posted here a few times about loving yourself before you can share love with others (see the post Start your day with love and the rest will take care of itself). So take a moment, before you set out on your day, to find that love of self and who you are that will put a smile on your face. Many times that may involve taking time for a short prayer of thanks to God for another day. Acknowledging and accepting the love of God each day allows you to also love yourself and then to be ready to share that love with others.===JACK:  It used to be "bow your heads in prayer."  Now, it's ?Bow your heads and look at your SmartPhone."  Look around you today, Norm.  What do you see that's interesting?  As I look outside, it's a beautiful spring morning; the sun is shining; a bird is chirping; a gentle breeze is blowing.  WOW!  I give a smile to the world. FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAULl:   blame our "dear leader" for some of this.   he rarely smiles and almost never laughs.  not sign of a mentally healthy person.  of course,  there are a great many other factors too.===JACK:  Just wondering...When the Sunday Prayers suggest that we pray for our leaders, including the president...Do you?  That's a rhetorical question.  I confess that I seldom do.  FROM BB IN CHGO:  I took the time to read the article referenced and found it really interesting.  I am happy and satisfied with my life; I hope that you can say the same for you and yours.===JACK:  Life is good.  As Louis Armstrong would sing... When you're smilin'....keep on smilin'  The whole world smiles with you And when you're laughin'....keep on laughin'  The sun comes shinin' through But when you're cryin'.... you bring on the rain  So stop your frownin'....be happy again Cause when you're smilin'....keep on smilin'  The whole world smiles with you FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  Good un Jack.===JACK:  Dolly Parton is giving you a smile.