Prose

A girl once wrote:
„There was rainy day here... just recently. It's like the weather was explaining my soul. Yes, there can be comfort, of course. Like it shines after the rain. But sometimes, you just cannot hide your feelings. You cannot hide the sorrow or the emptiness you feel. And somehow I actually manage to do that. To hide my feelings. To hide the emptiness inside me and just smile – no matter what. And what happens? At the end of the day I am still in my bedroom by myself, listening to heartbreaking songs, looking out the window... hoping for a sign, seeking anchor. I don't know what to think of a real world. How can I learn to love it when dreams are much happier, much better? In the real world you must say real goodbies, you must face your feelings and what happens. There is just so much to bear.“
So, you find your comfort in your dreams and that's ok. But,
don't you get bored after a while? Don't you just want to get out in the real world? Run out in the sun, scream out loud not caring if everybody's looking at you, feel the warm embrace of the soft wind... It's as if we're only complaining about the bad in the world. But what about the good things? What about all the friends you have around you? The people that care about you? Oh, please. You cannot say that nobody cares. There is always going to be someone who cares about. Stop focusing on those wrong and bad things in your life, and start focusing on the ones that are right and that make you smile and happy.
Ok, will you do something for me? So, close your eyes, and think of everything and anything in the world that makes you happy, that makes you smile...whether it's your loved ones, you secret place, a smile of your sweetheart, a lovely song that reminds you of something or someone, some beautiful memories, a blue sky and a Sun upon it, stars upon the sky, birds' song...whatever. Did you do it? Now open your eyes. I can bet you see some pretty great things around you. Your loved ones. They're around you.
Your secret place. Look for it, it's in your heart. A smile of your sweetheart. Somewhere there's someone for everyone. A lovely reminding song. Play it with your heart, listen with your soul. Beautiful memories. They're hidden somewhere deep in your
thoughts and your heart. A blue sky, the Sun, the stars. Look up. Birds' song. Listen. Just open your eyes. Well, I know you're looking, but I mean really open your eyes. And you'll see. All of those wonderful things actually revolve around you. If only you wouldn't pay attention that much on things that are making you uncomfortable or rather bad, insecure, sad or anything, you would really see those beautifuls. Nature. Birds. Puppies. Children. Songs. Kisses. Hugs. Your loved ones. Your heart. Your soul. Yourself. If you look with the look of the wonderful, as I let myself call it that way, you could and would see it. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world. Know that song? Oh, you do, don't you? Listen to it again. And again. And again, please. Listen to that song until you force yourself to see world as beautiful. Put aside the cries. You never needed them, unless you cried with laughter. Put aside the hurt. It's simple, it just goes away in time, leaves a scar, you remember it, but you get over it. Put aside the
sadness. Life is just too darn short for you to go and waste it being sad, depressed, hurt or frowned. Believe me, smile – it's the best medicine. The best cure. The best... Feeling. When you're smiling. You can win someone over. You can make someone's day brighter and make them smile. You can cure your soul from hurt. You can refresh yourself. Yes, smile. Never regret anything you ever did. But whatever that is, remember it with a smile. You're hurt and you cry, feel pain? Just wait a while. Soon you'll smile again. Don't believe me? Just wait and see. You will go and meet your friends, and you'll smile, you will have fun. You will meet someone who will sweep you off your feet, and you'll
smile. Maybe you'll start a family someday, and you'll see your baby's smile... And you'll smile. And would you believe me then? If I'd say „Smile“? I think you would. There are plenty of things that you can focus on and which makes you happy. 'You're never fully dressed without a smile' – said a writer (Martin Charnin). And I believe it. That is rather my motto. Go ahead, use it on yourself. Just wear a smile – one size fits all.
I once wrote:
„There was rainy day here... just recently. It's like the weather was explaining my soul. Yes, there can be comfort, of course. Like it shines after the rain. But sometimes, you just cannot hide your feelings. You cannot hide the sorrow or the emptiness you feel. And somehow I actually manage to do that. To hide my feelings. To hide the emptiness inside me and just smile – no matter what. And what happens? At the end of the day I am still in my bedroom by myself, listening to heartbreaking songs, looking out the window... hoping for a sign, seeking anchor. I don't know what to think of a real world. How can I learn to love it
when dreams are much happier, much better? In the real world you must say real goodbies, you must face your feelings and what happens. There is just so much to bear.“
...And then I focused, still focused, on things that made and still make me smile. And I do. I smile.
Here, have a smile! It's on me. ;)

-Norma J. Rose