The Great Amerian Grump Out--how nice do we have to be?

May 6, 8:30 AMRoman Catholic ExaminerPamela Luther

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 Today is the 8th annual Great American Grump Out day. This vastly celebrated holiday is one that most Americans look forward to, right? Personally, I have been counting down the days on my Grump Out calendar for some time now.

Cinco de Mayo? Shoot, that’s nothing compared to Seis de Mayo! Let the ungrumpiness begin! 

Since this is also National Mental Health Month, what a perfect way to celebrate. No grumping allowed today for sure!

There are four main goals for the National Grump Out Day according to Smile Mania, originators of this happy celebration. The goals are:

1. To help people better understand the connection between negative attitudes, stress and health.
2. To see America give themselves permission to be friendly, playful, supportive and loving for just one day.
3. To lighten up our planet and reduce unhealthy stress through humor.
4. To have FUN

Scripture says that “The joy of the Lord is our strength”. If you are one who follows the Psalms, then you can see that the Lord wants us to have joy, even in the midst of trials and challenges. It is a huge expectation, but certainly not impossible.

I hear some people already grouching about the Grump Out. “How nice do we have to be?” some say in their greatest whine mode.

For some people, it might take a little effort to muster up some glee rather than grump. May I make a suggestion to you? Instead of saying the economy sucks, how about just saying it stinks? See, you feel better already!

If you see the gas prices edging upwards again and want to complain about it, how about smiling at the register clerks and telling them to have a nice day? It can't be too much fun for them to hear us all complain about prices. I told you this wouldn’t be too painful.

Mother Theresa said:

 Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.
 

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