“Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.”
~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The above quote says it all so much better than I can that I believe I shall simply let that note rest there. Happy Friday, Happy Weekend Everyone, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, remember, it is said that if we smile anyway, we are releasing the same brain chemicals as if we were actually happy. So says she who has sobbed through entire work-outs over the past year. However, I’m off to try smiling as much as I can through the weekend.
It’s funny you should mention smiling and releasing chemicals even if your not happy …for some reason I have been smiling for no reason, even through the pain and it’s really really helping….KEEP on SMILING !
Well, smiling now at you, Bella
Thank you! lol
I know smiles can be contagious, but a forced smile can’t be a good as a genuine one–I don’t care what the scientists say.
Think about this: I went to a Zumba class today for the first time in a year just to see if I could do it. I ended up with a panic attack. Hyperventilating, tear, the whole ball of pathetic wax. The other woman in the class, I’m sure, just thought I wasn’t physically up to the challenge. The fact is, I was in better shape than anyone there but the very compassionate instructor (with whom I talked, or babbled after the class ended–yes I stayed for the whole thing). My brain shut down 45 minutes into the class. I couldn’t coordinate the moves (and I’m an excellent dancer), I couldn’t speak. The movement around me and the music were scrambling my brain to the point of dizzying confusion. We were in a room with mirrors, so the movement was doubled. I felt like I was in a nightmare.
Trying to explain what happened to me to the instructor was like trying to speak when you’re coming out of a coma. Words, my familiar friends, abandoned me. I held back most of the tears until I got to my car.
I sobbed all the way home, throwing in a few hyperventilations to keep me breathing. When I finally calmed down, I realized I brought the whole thing on myself. I am constantly pushing myself to my edges (and sometimes over my edges). I didn’t need to stay, but I did.
So what should I do? Beat myself up some more for being stupid or forgive myself and learn for the experience? I chose to forgive myself. I can even smile at myself and the situation. Those women must have thought I was quite a basket case. But a darned fine-looking one!
I’m going to rethink Zumba, but not dancing when the spirit moves me. I’m going to take myself less seriously, knowing what triggers panic attacks and try not to put myself in those situations. And I’m going to genuinely smile at how silly this situation was, even though it seemed deadly serious when it was happening. It was neither deadly nor all that serious.
Have a weekend filled with genuine smiles, my friend.
Yes, a darn fine looking woman you are and a darn fine friend for sharing your experience of being so overwhelmed by what was happening to you in the Zumba class. We are in this ride together, like it or not. So glad to have you at my side, Lorna xo
And of course, “Laughing and crying is the same release.” Thanks Joni Mitchell, although I am sure one or two people said something similar before hand. Google didn’t know, and neither do I.
Have a happy weekend, my friend.
Works for me but I think we burn more calories laughing so I’ll pick that next time, please. Wait. Every time, please. lol Thanks, Elyse, hope your weekend is delightful.
You too!
Go through life with a smile on your face, smile at everybody, keep smiling no matter what, and sooner or later someone will come up to you and say, “What the hell are you grinning at?”
(I’ll get my coat…)
M
Loving that, never mind the coat. You can stay if you like, lol. Thanks for the giggle, M.
Janice
Sometimes simple says it all.
Yes! “The Supreme Excellence is Simplicity.” Except I forgot whose quote that is. LOL. There, that’s simple for ya’ lol
Awe, I hope you will be smiling even wider when I tell you I nominate your blog for the Liebster Blog Award. Congratulations! I have outlined the rules in my latest blog post “Blog Love” if you choose to accept the award. http://poeticparfait.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/blog-love/
Christy, you are so sweet! Thank you kindly for this 2012 award nomination. I’m so sorry I am behind on everything (including others who have nominated me for other awards) and will get to them all as soon as I can. My bomputer time is “borrowed” right now so I have to whip through as fast as I can whenever I get the chance to use a computer. Thanks again