"You spry little elf!"

Once my dear friend Erin said that to me when I was being rather mischievous, and I rather liked it. Since then, "spry" or "sprightly" has been on my list of top ten favorite words. Or maybe it has been a favorite word since the elementary school days in Mrs. Roos's music class where we did a dance with scarves and that word was in the song. Anywho, just in case you are a little in the dark at what sprightly means, here are some synonyms: animated, vivacious, lively, spirited, blithe, buoyant, vigorous, airy, active, energetic, agile, nimble, and...full of beans! Yes, you did in fact read that last one right---look for yourself in the thesaurus for Word, ha ha! One definition of sprightly is: "full of life and vigor, especially with a light and springy step."

What does this have to do with anything, you ask?

Well, it is my personal belief that a person should not go through life unhappily, monotonously, grudgingly, or apathetically. Life should be full of....LIFE! Happiness! Service! Smiles! Laughter! Music! Dancing! Work! Puppies! Colors! Nephews and nieces! (Who, by the way, remind me of little puppies in many ways. And also, I'm severely lacking in the nieces department *cough*sisters*cough*) Nature! LOVE!!!! My quality choir members know that if I could go skipping along, tossing out armfuls of candy and Gerber daisies to everyone I pass, I would do it in a heartbeat...

I think the one of the best pieces of advice I have ever given to someone went along these lines, "Perk up, o drooping flower! Suck in life and spring forth exuberantly! Be grateful for this day, for this moment that you've been given! Today is a beautiful day to be alive!" I'm by no means anywhere close to being continuously happy and optimistic, but I'm trying. Will you join me? Come on, then! Step sprightly! Off on your way! Live lively! MOVE IT!!!!

P.S. Sorry this is sideways---I didn't know how to rotate it