SMILING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

by Richard P. Johnson

The best medicine for healing the emotional
and spiritual “insult” of our current pandemic


Day Nineteen

When I smile, I’m better equipped
to deal with whatever comes along.

Loss is woven into the fabric of living fully.

I’ve learned that I need loss; I can’t grow without loss.

Smiling offers me a new strength of realizing that I am endowed with the necessary armor and the most powerful tools so I can accept whatever loss comes my way, and whatever diminishments may subtract from me.

Smiling moves me along the royal road to acceptance, which is my true “spiritual grit,” the power and might of God that propels me through and beyond whatever trials and tribulations the world throws at me.

Smiling is my outward sign that my true self is impervious to harm; I may experience loss upon loss (like Job), but through it all, my smile is the face of God that I wear; my smile is the hand of God that is with me always and protects me from all evil.

If you don’t start out the day with a smile,
it’s not too late to start practicing for tomorrow.

Author Unknown

From The Power of Smiling: Using Positive Psychology For Optimal Health & Healing by Richard P. Johnson, PhD

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About the author

Dr. Johnson is nationally recognized for his pioneering work in Healing and Medical Behavioral Sciences. As Director of Behavioral Medicine at a large teaching medical center, Dr. Johnson was responsible for teaching medical interns and residents the “art” of medicine. He has taught hundreds of persons interested in healing. His fresh ideas and enthusiasm for the spiritual aspects of adult development and healing have inspired scores of maturing adults to follow their hearts and live more abundant lives. He is a dynamic, engaging, and compassionate teacher who delights in seeing his students grow personally and spiritually. He has written many articles and over 40 books all focused upon God’s expansive grace. Dr. Johnson is a devoted Catholic Christian; he and his wife Sandra live in St. Louis, they have three grown children and six grandchildren. Dr. Johnson holds a doctorate degree in clinical counseling from the University of Florida; he was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana in 2010.

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