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Pizzazz and Flair

My mind bubbles over with happy thoughts When all is down, I think all systems are go, I refuse to let myself get tied up in knots There are two sides to every coin, you know, You can flip it to heads or you can flip to tails Being sad and gloomy is a personal choice, Choosing to be happy and uplifting never fails Select a happy tune to sing with your voice. For most of two years I’ve been in quarantine I used that time to hone some writing arts, And made many friends while doing so, e’en While learning a lot from welcoming hearts. So, even though much is wrong in our world And we have ample opportunity to despair, I chose to keep my better spirits unfurled Living my days with joyful pizzazz and flair. THIRD PLACE WINNER Written March 29, 2022 for "What Keeps Me Going" poetry contest sponsored by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer

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John Watt

Date: 4/10/2022 9:21:00 PM

Milt, this is a gem of positivity and a message we all should remember as we go about our lives. "You can flip it to heads or you can flip to tails" - indeed, staying positive is a choice and certainly makes the world a better place for the people around us! Congrats for your podium win ~ John

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/19/2022 7:27:00 AM

John, I appreciate your kind and thoughtful remarks on my win. Thank you!

Christuraj Alex

Date: 4/10/2022 7:18:00 PM

"Living my days with joyful pizzazz and flair" - Great philosophy. Congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/10/2022 7:34:00 PM

Thanks so much, Chris. That is so wonderful to hear, and I hope you are doing it, too.

Ann Peck

Date: 4/10/2022 6:04:00 PM

That's the best attitude to have. Milton. Life is easier when we're happy, and we're much nicer to be around :) Congratulations on your win!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/10/2022 6:12:00 PM

Thanks, Ann. I appreciate your thoughts and your congratulations. I think we should always keep in mind, as Caren says, it is a CHOICE. We can determine within ourselves what sort of person we want to be and what kind of life we want to have.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/31/2022 12:42:00 PM

It is a CHOICE. I try to teach children this every day! "Being sad and gloomy is a personal choice, Choosing to be happy and uplifting never fails Select a happy tune to sing with your voice." Your attitude is a choice, and your feelings sometimes go along with it when you change it.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/31/2022 1:09:00 PM

Absolutely. And why not choose an attitude that makes it better for everyone around you!

Sally Eslinger

Date: 3/29/2022 1:05:00 PM

L Milt,yes! “…keep my better spirits unfurled…” yes! I can see it and feel it! On eagle’s wings! A very uplifting pen! Thank you!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/29/2022 2:34:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Sally. I believe our individual lives are pretty much what we make of them.

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 3/29/2022 11:08:00 AM

More power to you, Milton. / Maurice

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/29/2022 11:49:00 AM

Thanks, Maurice. Just keep pushing the plow ahead and stay in the furrow.

Jeff Kyser

Date: 3/29/2022 10:58:00 AM

Yup, very nice, and glad to have been a recipient of your quarantine. I hope you get to get out some now though! Been working ATV trails this morning, beautiful here!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/29/2022 11:50:00 AM

Spring has announced it is coming. But our temperatures have been in the low thirties the past couple of nights. I've switched to my warm weather shorts, however. Hopeful!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/29/2022 10:54:00 AM

Sometimes we have to distance ourselves from what is going on in the world or we could end up in a downward spiral to the dark abyss. We sometimes have to put ourselves first or our mental wellbeing will suffer. If we could change things and make the world rosy we would, but sadly some things are beyond our control. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/29/2022 11:51:00 AM

Ah, so true, Tom. Sometimes we just have to create our own little world! And, I have done so in my den the past couple of years.