or posts a FB quiz testing my knowledge of Sanaa Lathan) already know , my FAVORITE movie is Love & Basketball! Hands down, any day of the week! I can quote the ENTIRE movie. I’ve often stated in times past that should Director Gina Prine-Bythewood lose the original reel, I can completely become Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan’s character).Why is my addiction for this movie relevant to this post? Glad you asked. In the opening scene of the movie, the background music is Al Green’s “Love and Happiness,” and it goes a lil something like this:
Love and happiness…
happiness is when you really feel good with somebody
nothing wrong with being in love with someone
happiness is when you really feel good with somebody
nothing wrong with being in love with someone
oh, baby, love and happiness…
You be good to me
I'll be good to you
we'll be together
we'll see each otherwalk away with victory…
Make you do right...
Make you do right...
love'll make you do wrong...
make you come home early...
make you stay out all night long...
the power of love...
love is...
walkin' together...talkin' together...
As a newly-turned 26-yr old self-proclaimed "Hopeful Romantic," those lyrics make my heart do cartwheels! I can truly say, “I love LOVE!” and never are the images of love and happiness more poignant than around Christmas time. New moms with their toddlers shopping for “baby’s first Christmas” items. Daddy’s little girls bouncing happily on their father’s backs, tourists standing in awe at the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree with the gargantuan Swarovski star-shaped crystal topping the spectacle, or best yet, the love-stricken boyfriend, soon-to-be fiancé, shopping for the perfect diamond (I guess every kiss really does begin with Kay ;).
love is...
walkin' together...talkin' together...
As a newly-turned 26-yr old self-proclaimed "Hopeful Romantic," those lyrics make my heart do cartwheels! I can truly say, “I love LOVE!” and never are the images of love and happiness more poignant than around Christmas time. New moms with their toddlers shopping for “baby’s first Christmas” items. Daddy’s little girls bouncing happily on their father’s backs, tourists standing in awe at the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree with the gargantuan Swarovski star-shaped crystal topping the spectacle, or best yet, the love-stricken boyfriend, soon-to-be fiancé, shopping for the perfect diamond (I guess every kiss really does begin with Kay ;).
These are the moments we MUST cherish. No matter how Grinch-like your attitude may be the other 11 months of the year, there’s something about the lights, fresh smell of pine trees, the infectious giggles of babes, decking of the halls, and even the chimes of the Salvation Army bells that softens the hardest of hearts (C’mon, even the Who’s in Whoville managed to bring out the best in the mean ‘ol Grinch!)
So soak it all in people! Bottle these moments for times to come. And when you need a reminder of simpler, happier times, close your eyes, take the cap off, and get a whiff of it. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself smiling to yourself on the subway as you reminisce (no joke, doing it right now!). But so what! Who cares? Let yourself be free. Be free to be happy! You only live once…but if you do it right, ONCE is all you’ll need!
So soak it all in people! Bottle these moments for times to come. And when you need a reminder of simpler, happier times, close your eyes, take the cap off, and get a whiff of it. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself smiling to yourself on the subway as you reminisce (no joke, doing it right now!). But so what! Who cares? Let yourself be free. Be free to be happy! You only live once…but if you do it right, ONCE is all you’ll need!
I recall a conversation I had with a friend in which I mentioned a “drop-off.” I was referring to a gift I was bringing over, but he, not understanding, joked that I sounded like a drug pusher. When I stated that I most certainly was not. He corrected me and said, “Well, in a sense you are. You are a pusher of Love and Happiness!”
Sadly, that’s a drug many people find hard to swallow. But I say to you today, this is one pill that you are free to OVERDOSE on! Side effects include outrageous, contagious joy, smiling at random strangers, giving freely to those in need, and feelings of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment! No need to see your doctor is symptoms last for more than 4 weeks.
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! FELIZ NAVIDAD!! From my family to yours!
This year, be sure to give the gift that keeps on giving…a smile!
