Dear Dr. Laura: 

In my first assignment as an Army nurse, I was stationed at a hospital in then West Germany.  Every day as I got ready to enter the ward on which I worked, I'd find the usual cares and woes of life riding along on my shoulders. When I reached for the door handle; however, I would make myself take a really deep breath, blow it all out, and then plaster on a huge smile. I figured my patients didn't need to deal with my "stuff", as I was there to help them. So many of my patients commented that my big smile, as I came through that door, was one of the things - and sometimes the only thing - that helped get them through the worst days of their lives.  (I'm choking up while writing this.) 

Taking care of "Joe" - the affectionate term used to describe the "everyman" soldier - was the best part of my life. I was so honored to be entrusted with that responsibility. Plastering that smile on my face actually made ME happy - instantly! It really, really works. You find that you aren't just smiling, but are giving your smile to someone else. In one of those funny ways of life, it is then your heart that benefits. 

Thank you for all you do, Dr. Laura. Hoo-ah! 

Hugs, 

Minta 

P.S. Here are three of the reasons I'm almost always happy. They are McCorkle, Dinah, and Calvin. Of course, if I could, I'd add my husband Jim to that picture, as he is my #1 reason.