“Art, literature, music, poetry, and a smile are the reflections of the good man is truly capable of, I should enjoy one each day as the creativity and happiness of others will undoubtedly spark my own.”

What appears to be a summer-long journey of inner reflection continues as I take stock of my life and share the lessons I have learned in life. Hopefully someone somewhere is gaining some benefit. I know I am because even if I did write them, culled from my life and the lessons it has taught me, I still get lost and need a refresher.

Now, this one is about people and what they can bring to your life when you allow it. The funny thing is, as much drama and stress as others bring to our lives, when we choose to bring in those with a positive impact, our lives do get better.

Not only that, it seems to me when I have creative, happy people around it has a most positive impact on my perspective and outlook on life. It even makes me feel invincible at times, as if there isn’t a thing in this world I couldn’t do. And how simple as that?

I look around and see all of this vitriol and hate being spouted about and I find myself being dragged down by all of it, even more cynical of the people around me than normal, even making me doubt the possibility there is any good left in mankind at times.

I know, what a depressing thought. But then I take a closer look at some of these beautiful things man can produce and, well, I rediscover there is a side to us all we rarely take the time to appreciate.

Too often in everyday life we watch as people tear one another down, fight, argue and create more strife than they are worth, and when the sun sets and we sit down finally, the drain is too much to take. The answer is a simple one if you would like things to be different: simply take a moment to enjoy the creativity and inspiration of others.

It may take some doing, but somewhere out there is a person, or people, who may create something positive on a daily basis and they are just waiting to inspire you. There is no bigger compliment that can be paid to another than to do something great of your own because of their inspiration.

Sometimes I find, just when I am positive there is nothing good that could possibly come out of what has become a truly crazy world, I stumble across someone who still believes. They believe in what they do and themselves, and more importantly, there is still beauty in the world and people around me.

That’s always Christmas come early for me and the creative, positive energy flows. I just have to remind myself how important it is to surround myself with those who do bring this spark to my life. Then again, it could be I am just more affected by others and the attitudes so pervasive at the moment.

No matter, as long as at the end of the day I found someone or something to reflect on that beauty man can be so good at making. I think we just forget this is not a dress rehearsal and we get caught up in the daily activities and routine of life to the point we lose perspective on how fragile we truly are. What should be our goal is not more money, not more possessions, but happiness with an acceptance that not everyone’s idea of happiness is the same as ours and respect that.

As of late, I have been especially guilty of this.

Art, literature, music and poetry, to me, truly do reflect the expressions of mankind, bringing inner thoughts, images and vision to the world. Not all of it suits me, but the people and process do, and I truly believe these do reflect the beauty mankind is capable of.

As a writer and jack of all trades of a sort I suppose, I appreciate the emotional, mental and even physical toll creativity takes and appreciate the final product because I do understand how personal each is. It would be hard for me to choose one of these over the other, like a kid loose with a credit card in a video game store. While there may be no choosing from the above, I do know what the most beautiful reflection of mankind truly is.

A smile — nothing compares, nothing motivates, moves or produces as much happiness. A smile on your face is a blessing. A smile you give away is a reflection of the beauty you are capable of creating in this world, even as hard as it can be at times.

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Moody Swings

D. C. Moody

D. C. Moody is a staff writer for The Easley Progress, The Pickens Sentinel and Powdersville Post and can be reached at dmoody@civitasmedia.com. Views expressed in this column are those of the writer only and do not represent the newspaper’s opinion.