June 15, 2020 (Monday)
One of the most popular movies of all time was “Singin’ in the Rain.”
It was a “fun” movie, with lots of good scenes, great music and some guffaw laughs.
The phrase itself, “Singing in the Rain,” has become a proverb about maintaining an optimistic spirit in difficult circumstances. That thought has been with us since mid March when we entered our homes and locked the doors, with some folks emerging weeks later with the hope that “everything’s gonna be all right.”
We have yet to see the effects on the pandemic of thousands of people in the streets shoulder to shoulder night after night for three weeks in itself is depressing to all concerned. Growing numbers of people are entering the hospital. Deaths keep coming. The rain is falling; can we hold on to our song?
That attitude of positive thinking during difficult experiences should always be a part of our makeup. Norman Vincent Peale wrote a book years ago entitled “The Power of Positive Thinking,” and it was a screaming success. It offered great ideas to us for enlivening our existence and really coming to life. Why be a “Gloomy Gus” when I can be a “Joyful Joe?”
“Look on the bright side” is immediately recognized as an “old saying” with a lot of meaning. “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).
Here’s the Bible’s version of “Singing in the Rain:” “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:4-8 NIV).
Singin’ In The Rain
Words: Nacio Herb Brown
Music: Arthur Freed
1952
I’m singing in the rain, just singin’ in the rain
What a glorious feeling, I’m happy again
I’m laughing at clouds so dark up above
The sun’s in my heart and I’m ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place
Come on with the rain, I’ve a smile on my face
I walk down the lane with a happy refrain
Just singin’, singin’ in the rain
Dancing in the rain, I’m happy again
I’m singin’ and dancing in the rain
I’m dancing and singin’ in the rain
………………………………………
Watch in full screen to enjoy the rain dance.
We build too many walls and not enough bridges. –Isaac Newton
“Fall seven times and stand up eight.”–Proverb
“Happiness is a quality of the soul…not a function of one’s material circumstances.” –Aristotle
“Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” — Mary Lou Retton
“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” –Alphonse Karr
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” –Theodore Roosevelt
“Be yourself; everyone else is taken.” –Oscar Wilde