Sometimes I’m Happy; Sometimes, I’m Blue

Remember the old song, “Sometimes I’m Happy, sometimes I’m blue. My disposition depends on you?” My blog post this morning is going to be a discussion of moods and what causes them. Are you ready?

What makes you happy? What makes you blue? Does your disposition really depend upon another person, as Sarah Vaughan sings?

Writers, what makes you happy or sad? Is it those good reviews or high rankings or is it simply the act of writing and creating? Does the weather affect the way you feel? Do rainy days make you feel dejected? Does a harsh word or a cold shoulder put you into a dismal slump? How about memories? Do they affect your moods?

Next question: when something negative happens, what do you do to pull yourself out of a cheerless day and cause the sun to shine once more?

Ephesians 6: 17 advises to “Take the helmet of Salvation.” To me, that means knowing Christ as our Savior is a protection for our thoughts and emotions. It is a reminder not to let those negative things which happen get the best of us. The helmet of Salvation is a protection of our minds and thoughts. Life, no matter what another old song says, is not always just a bowl of cherries. Cherries are nice, but they have pits and life has its pitfalls.

We all encounter rough times, hard days, days that leave us feeling pretty gloomy. I don’t guess there’s any protection against those unwelcome encounters that knock us for a loop. But, there is a defense against staying down. It’s the simple act of reaching up toward Heaven and believing that there is Someone who cares and is ready to listen to all our moans and groans and take them upon Himself so we won’t have to struggle with them.

Sometimes, we are too easily offended and see an offense where none is intended. We need to learn to give others the benefit of the doubt, just as we would like that courtesy extended to ourselves. But, much too often, the bad things are not in our minds only but are, in fact, reality. We reel from unexpected blows and bitter happenings. However, we don’t have to depend upon the sun shining, or the approval of someone else to regain our equilibrium. We have it within ourselves, with help from God, to get back up, lift our heads and keep going.

Sometimes we are happy; sometimes, we are blue. But, our disposition doesn’t have to depend upon the weather, or another’s viewpoint, or successful book sales, or a promotion in our jobs. For a good mental attitude, we need to leave those worries on the doorstep, and direct the path of our feet to the sunny side of the street.

I read a question on Facebook the other day, asking readers whether they thought a story should have a happy ending. My answer is a resounding Yes! And, my cozy mysteries all do. Sometimes, Darcy and Flora or Ned inspire me to keep on keeping on. They go through some hard times, but they always come out okay in the end. And, if we keep believing and trying and guarding our thoughts, I believe that you and I will too.