Choose Happiness

I have chosen to be happy, it’s good for my health. ~ Voltaire

There’s a Rotary song with which
I grew up trying to play, trying hard
to make my short fingers reach the keys.
Smile and the world smiles with you
Sing a song;
Don’t be weary just be cheery
all day long.
Whenever your trials, your troubles and your cares
Seem to be more than you can really bear
Smile and the world smiles with you
Sing a song.
Daddy led singing and sang at the cheery tempo
trusting me to stumble through
and finish almost when he did.
I would practice, try harder and harder
and, for four years in high school
trying my best, I never finished happy!
Fifty plus years later I know relaxing,
doing the best I could, would have been better.
I have learned, like Voltaire,
I must chose to be happy, it’s good for my health!