MR. HAPPY

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised. - Norman Vincent Peale

Last week I ventured “north” to Findlay Ohio.  The purpose was to meet with some faith and mental health and addiction leaders.  Hancock and Henry Counties here in Ohio are seeking some guidance and tools about HOW their FAITH community can leverage their skills, hearts, and talents into the fabric of the Recovery Oriented System.  I love these gatherings.  I get to share some of the amazing things that are going on all over the country, I get to inspire folks to finding their call, their "why" and equip they and the congregants to action.  It is a most blessed time.

And after a very productive and enlightening time with those leaders, because I was near Henry County, and because “BOB” has been pretty diligent in his pursuit of a conversation, I journeyed to downtown Findlay where I found “Bob” on a park bench patiently waiting for me.

Bob is in his 80’s.  He was sitting there wearing a "well worn" trucker cap with “MR. Happy” blazon across the front.  And that is why we were meeting, to talk about HIS HAPPINESS PLAN.

You see BOB, while a little eccentric, is a faithful believer.  He is a dreamer.  He has a vision for ALL to find HAPPINESS.  I really love that about Bob. You see I first met him at an event in Toledo and he was HAPPY then.  

And not surprising he was HAPPY in Findlay.

Now let me tell you some other things about Bob.

He is of little means.

The belt he was wearing was barely holding together.

The pants didn’t fit all that well.  And the shirt a little threadbare.  But Bob was happy.  Ironically, and I didn’t know this until the next day, Bob got a parking ticket, a 250.00 dollar parking ticket (which thankfully wiser heads reduced to $10) but when he called to pass on that bad news, he was still happy.

Bob leads an effort called POSITIVE PEOPLE PARTNERS whose mission is… “to energize you, empower you, and encourage you to be the best you can be as you experience the power of love, the joy of forgiveness, and the peace of a humble heart.”

Quite a mission, but one WE ALL COULD TAKE UP, right?

And it was my time with Bob that reminded me of Peale’s quote that opened today’s OFH, “Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others”.

Peale says happiness will follow and encouraged us to try it for a week.  Bob, Mr. Happy, has dedicated his life and work to being happy and sharing happiness.   I think if we DO what PEALE suggests we will be able to DO what BOB and the PPP team do, bring energy, empower others, show love and spread happiness.

Sound good?

Let’s do it!

Remember, A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

Have a blessed weekend

Love you all!

Opportunities for Hope