Widows Quest » smile

Behind the Smile….

Anna Farmery — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:17:57 +0000

I try each day to smile, I know that the world lives on and that they have troubles of their own. So I try and listen to people, I try and be there for them, often to the detriment of myself…it made me write this

The Grieving Smile

“How are you today?” Oh fine, I say and the smile appears,

The smile that reassures those people that care about me,

That I am coping – despite the grief.

Those lips that used to touch his,

Now curl upwards to to display the grieving smile

A smile that hides the pain, hides the desire to be alone

Alone with the memories that I crave to be still alive.

Yet, the more I smile the grieving smile

The more I even start to believe myself.

The grieving smile is now reassuring even me, that I am coping

That smile is now giving me the strength

To know that one day that smile will not be forced

And instead, express the love I feel for life, once again.

That is the power of the grieving smile.

Post from: Widows Quest

How We Can Feel Better Through Our Body Language

Anna Farmery — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:13:43 +0000

When we are depressed, when we are lonely this affects our emotions. If you catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror you can see you round shoulders, you may be slumping or looking down. Our body language will represent our feelings.

The opposite is true. So if we think about that then we can help our emotions by

Smiling
Standing up tall

Literally a smile can induce physiological changes in our body – including our heart rate etc

It may sound hard – one way I do that is recalling or talking about great memories of your loved one. This induces happier emotions. I also look at old photo’s and listen to music. But understanding our body language we can help improve the way that we feel.

Has anyone tried that?

{istockphoto}

Post from: Widows Quest

A Thought for the Day

Anna Farmery — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:34:13 +0000

I saws this quote from Anne Frank

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”

Wow, with all Anne Frank had to endure during the war, if she could still think about the beauty around her then that should inspire us to do the same…look around today and see that beauty. That beauty in nature, in smiles, in the architecture, in the play of children, in the sunset, in the sunrise….

Post from: Widows Quest

Overcoming Grief Through Helping Others

Anna Farmery — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:12:29 +0000

I love the idea of releasing depression, overcoming grief by reaching out to others. Here are 10 tips that I read on Eileen Browns blog

1. Offer a few hours of free babysitting services to a stressed-out single parent in your neighborhood.

2. When you buy food from a vending machine, slip in an extra dollar. The next person to use the machine will be grateful for the free snack.

3. Mow the lawn or cook a meal for an elderly neighbor.

4. Next time you go out to eat, leave a thank-you note along with your server’s tip.

5. When you stop at a toll booth, foot the bill for the car behind you.

6. Pay someone a compliment at least once every day.

7. Donate new children’s books to a local school or library.

8. Stop in at a local nursing home and spend a few minutes chatting with the residents. Even better, bring flowers to brighten up their rooms.

9. Buy a grocery bag full of nutritious canned goods, and donate it to your local food bank.

10. Track down your favorite teachers and send them letters telling them what an inspiration they’ve been to you over the years.

and number 11… give sweets to security guards. They really don’t expect it and are usually delighted…

What I love about helping others, is that it relieves your pain and makes someone else smile. A smile is one of the best gifts to an aching heart, a smile can help your heart feel the warmth of unconditional love and the joy of life again.

Post from: Widows Quest