DESTITUTE SMILES

A smile from sadness is most evident in the eyes. It is one of those "I'm fine" expressions that really isn't true in terms of being fine. I know I've managed them from time to time.

What inspires us to such a need to look happy when we aren't is hard to say, but it seems to be the choice at times. In part I suppose because we like to look as if we in control of our emotions. That is how some describe or define maturity.

But is it honesty, with oneself or others? I do wonder at times. And is being unhappy a state of being that is somehow the result of lacking faith. Some have argued that point, but I'm not convinced it is the truth.

I think I was drawn to this reflection in part because of the illusion of happiness that I see to often. I think happiness is something most of us desire, but it is difficult to always fine.

It does fascinate me at times to go to places like amusement parks or malls and see the number of people wearing destitute smiles. Again you see the weariness in the eyes that betrays the truth they are trying to hide.

And there are times when for example that the words being said also contradict the illusion of happiness. If every word of the mouth is a complaint it is hard to see the person as full of joy.

On a spiritual level, I'm not sure that happiness and contentment are synonymous, nor were they intended to be. I do find it interesting in terms of living that the Apostle Paul would speak of learning to be content. He didn't make the same comment about being happy.

Which to me translates into the simple fact that contentment from my point of view deals with the issue of feeling a sense of fulfillment in life. Like when we do a task that when we are done we have the simple satisfaction of accomplishment. It doesn't mean we always enjoyed the chore, but we do derive the sense of achievement.

For the person of faith then, our soul is that mix of faith and quest. Obedience is the cadence by which we march. I think that when we are trusting the Lord he does grant us the sense of feeling content in the situation far more often that the feeling of happiness.

The difference is in part for me what happens because we have felt our essence utilized when we are obedience. Our talents and abilities are exercise and that brings the rush of awareness within of feeling we are good at something. Happiness on the other hand is so attached to a variety of elements in one's nature. It is more like a wind that can change at any moment. We can feel happy one second and then some distraction can totally ruin that feeling the next. The only good joy comes from knowing in the presence of the Lord we shall know the pure marriage of contentment with happiness without any distraction of this life.