Lighten Up!

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine.

Psalm 2:4
The One enthroned in heaven laughs.

      Have you ever been told to just lighten up? I have. Every personality test that I have taken depicts me as a “melancholy” personality. Previous reading of personality books describing the strengths of a melancholy encouraged me to think that I have a lot to offer the world. They included: 

Deep and thoughtful
Analytical
Serious and purposeful
Genius prone (my personal favorite)
Talented and creative
Artistic or musical
Appreciative of beauty
Sensitive to others
Self-sacrificing
Conscientious
Idealistic

     That all sounds pretty good. So, why am I occasionally told to just lighten up?  I mean, I’m right up there with Schuman, Chopin, Mozart and Picasso—melancholy genius. So, to satisfy my curiosity, I pulled my red Webster’s from the bookshelf, thumbed through to page 884 and found my answer. I immediately took a dive into a melancholy tailspin.

     According to Mr. Webster, the word melancholy originated from a black bile coming from the spleen or kidneys and causing gloominess, irritability or depression—a tendency to be sad. I’m in tears as I write. So, I have decided to make it a point to “lighten up”. After all, a cheerful heart is good medicine, and God sits enthroned in heaven and laughs. I figure if God can find something to laugh about—surely I can.

     Therefore, I have a plan. Step one: When I go to the dentist later this week, I will ask for nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Step two: I will attempt to sneak a small canister of the stuff into my purse. Step three: The next time I’m told to “lighten up” I’ll just pull out the laughing gas and spray it on the unsuspecting grouch that thinks I need to laugh.

     I believe this plan is deep and thoughtful, analytical, serious and purposeful, talented and creative. Actually, I think it is pure genius. I suppose I really am a melancholy, but I have learned to lighten up!