"The path to cheerfulness is to sit cheerfully and to act and speak as if cheerfulness were already there."
This is one of the rare cases that I found a quote in German, loved it, and looked it up in the works of William James - brother of famous author Henry James.
Believe me or not: I love the German translation even more!
"Um gute Laune zu kriegen, muss man sich vergnügt aufrichten, vergnügt um sich schauen und sich so verhalten, als wäre die gute Laune bereits da."
Re-translated (and please don't be to rigorous with my grammar) it goes like this:
"To get into a good mood, one has to to cheerfully straighten oneself, look around cheerfully and act as if cheerfulness were already there."
(Maybe it is "straighten oneself" contra "to sit"?)
Fake it till you make it, in the vernacular.
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne, that is so catchy that I will use that sentence instead! Thank you!
DeleteI have given up on real cheerfulness, both personal and world wide. But I do love your photo since the best four things making my life happier are: 1. art 2. wine 3. flowers and trees 4. sunny beaches.
ReplyDeleteYou covered three of the four - thank you.
Dear Helen, I cannot believe that you "have given up" on cheerfulness! Your blog is a good example because it gives joy - beside all the interesting informations.
DeleteThank you for liking my photo!
Though it is very tough to be cheerful looking at the politics these day, I try - remembering from my studies in literature and history that most of the times life wasn't easy - I appreciate the long time in our life that was good and peaceful - that cheers me up!
I am a good example. I discovered accidentally by doing just that.
ReplyDeleteDear Mimmylynn - that is the best way to get insight: by doing it! When I find myself looking sullen (without a reason I mean) then I remind me to lift the corners of my mouth and put some warmth or interest into my eyes - so pleasant - for me and hopefully for others too.
DeleteOne must try never to give up on cheerfulness but, that is easier said than done if you are going through tough times. Laughter is the best medicine so I try to laugh as often as I can and to be around happy people. The song ' Smile ' says it all. XXXX
ReplyDeleteDear Jackie, I love to laugh - and it is much easier to communicate with people when you show real interest - and smile. When times are tough I try to find something that is "good" in it (not always easy or possible). Rising the corners of my mouth and putting some warmth into my eye (as recommended above) makes a "bad hair day" on a normal day better. XXX
DeleteOh ja - gefällt mir :-)))
ReplyDeleteUnd besonders gefällt mir: "Du bist witzig und hübsch!"
Und überhaupt sollten wir uns nicht zu ernst nehmen, sondern auch mal über uns lächeln können.
Eine Umarmung für dich.
Frohes Wochenende wünscht dir Viola.