Never Better

“Good morning, Sunshine.” 

“Good morning, Glory.” 

Each day my father greeted his two little girls with a beaming smile and these words.

I had always thought that the exchange came from an old vaudeville routine. My father had delighted in those live shows filled with singing, dancing, and, of course, great comedy. More than likely, though, he had adopted his salutation from the song in the movie Sitting Pretty (1933). That tune, “Good Morning Glory,” reappeared years later as the theme for Neil Simon’s movie, Brighton Beach Memoirs.

These days the song echoes in my granddaughter, Sommerlyn.

Sunnie, as she was so aptly nicknamed at birth, walks in sunshine. She knows that life is good. For her, singing and dancing in the rain are always distinct possibilities. When the blue skies darken and violets fall, she waits patiently. Sunnie knows that the gray skies are gonna’ clear up. The sun most certainly will come out again tomorrow.

Sunnie’s innate cheerfulness should serve her well throughout life. A sunny disposition is enchanting. We are attracted, like moths, to the light and the bright.

In terms of health, Sunnie's optimistic view of life has many benefits. Over the years, the mind-body connection has been well documented, demonstrating the important role played by placebos, meditation, and visualization.

In the 1950’s, Norman Cousins demonstrated how choosing laughter helped him survive serious illness.

More recently, a study of patients with heart disease showed that patients who were most positive about their recovery actually healed faster and lived longer. Being hopeful enabled patients to: (1) make heart-healthy changes in their lifestyle, (2) follow their doctor’s orders more diligently, and (3) reduce the harmful effects of stress.

When faced with illness, thus, we’ve gotta have heart. Cinderella was right. Fairy tales can come true; impossible things are happening every day.

Those of us who are not naturally inclined to cheerfulness can choose to look on the bright side. We can search for the good in each person, the grace in each situation. And rather than counting sheep, we can count our daily blessings.

Many years ago, Norman Vincent Peale inspired the youth of my generation to believe in the power of positive thinking. He preached that “our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.” Each day, he said, “cultivate the merry heart, develop the happiness habit, and life will become a continual feast.” 

My own flaxen-haired princess was born on the first day of spring. In her I see hope personified. I also see the recipe for a healthy heart and a fruitful life. I have decided that I’ll have what she’s having. “Make mine sunny side up.”