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Home » Parenting » Optimism and the power of singing

Last updated on July 20, 2020. Originally posted on February 17, 2012 By Maryea / 30 Comments

Optimism and the power of singing

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Today is my dad’s birthday.

He happens to be the most optimistic person I know.  His 61 years have brought him his share of joy, love, and prosperity, but he’s also had his share of hard times in his life.

After graduating college, he set a goal to start and open a business in his small hometown, and went to bank after bank until one finally agreed to finance his dream.  Many would have given up; many would have said what he wanted to do couldn’t be done at such a young age.  Not my dad.

He’s spent his life an entrepreneur and business man and even when businesses failed, I never remember him being negative.  When the economy collapsed and with it my parents’ business they spent a lifetime building, in the midst of losing nearly everything, all I remember him saying was, “I don’t need much”.

Through my mom’s cancer, his faith didn’t waiver, his strength and optimism were apparent throughout her battle.  He continues to stay positive in his role as care taker as she deals with the long term side effects of her treatments.

One of my strongest memories of my dad while I was growing up is his singing.  He often sang around the house.  He sang (or whistled) as he worked.  Everyday when he drove me to preschool, he’d sing the same song, On a Wonderful Day Like Today.  It didn’t seem to matter what kind of day it really was, to my dad, it was wonderful.  At least that’s what he showed me.

The other day when I was getting Meghan up, I opened her blinds like I always do.  She looked out the window and exclaimed, “What a beautiful cloudy day!”

I realized that optimism is a natural tendency.  Only with age do we gain skepticism and pessimistic attitudes.  But we can fight it.  As we get old and wise to the ways of the world, we don’t have to succumb to the negativity that surrounds us.  We can all embrace the beautiful cloudy days.

From that day on, I’ve been singing On a Wonderful Day Like Today to Meghan in the car every morning when I drive her to preschool.  I found out that singing is powerful.  My dad was on to something.

I don’t have his singing voice, but when I belt out those words in the morning, I can feel my spirits lift and a smile naturally spreads across my face.  What a great way to start the day.

I hope that I’ve inherited even a fraction of my dad’s optimism and I can pass it on to my children, too.  Optimism is powerful tool to take through life.

Thank you, Dad, for showing me that.  Happy birthday!

Here’s the lyrics for On a Wonderful Day Like Today for anyone who wants to add a little optimism to their mornings!

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Filed Under: Parenting

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Comments

  1. Marcus Fernandez says

    September 14, 2023 at 6:28 am

    Optimism is a very useful quality for life, but when it comes to something serious, for example, NFT investments, you shouldn’t rely solely on optimistic sentiments. I’m pleased to observe the development of security systems, as well as the Wakweli certification protocol. It will allow investors to be confident that they are buying a genuine NFT and have rights to it. This is also a fight against fraudsters in the market

    Reply
  2. Stephanie@MyThornsHaveRoses says

    February 28, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Oh I love this! Your dad sounds amazing! Meghan’s comment about a beautiful cloudy day just melts my heart! God Bless the eternal optimists. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Michelle {the lively kitchen} says

    February 22, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Such a sweet testament to your Dad. I can’t imagine much greater joy than having your kids see the real you and appreciate your strengths. He sounds like an inspirational man who raised an inspirational daughter.

    Happy Birthday (late) to the Papa of the Happy Healthy Mama!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 23, 2012 at 7:54 am

      Thanks, Michelle!

      Reply
  4. Connie M says

    February 20, 2012 at 9:37 am

    I love your tribute to your dad, I have a wonderful dad too! I was the singer in the family although my mom did have a good morning verse she would sing me when she woke me up in the morning.
    Being thankful and optimistic go hand in hand I think. We all have things to be thankful for, thanks for giving me so many great recipes, inspiring me to workout and giving me great reading on a weekly basis. I remember how busy I was as a new mom a few years back.

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 21, 2012 at 10:38 am

      Oh, thank you for such a sweet comment. You just made my morning. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kristina says

    February 19, 2012 at 12:41 am

    these days I don’t have much time to read and catch up with my blog friends, but I am so happy you crossed my reader tonight… happy birthday to your dad – he sounds amazing!

    I am blessed to have such a positive dad, too… and especially lately I appreciate it so much. I know it is a trait I got from him, which I am also thankful for… positivity can have such an impact.

    so can singing! 🙂

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 19, 2012 at 3:22 pm

      Thank you, Kristina. I know you understand the powerful impact of having an amazing dad in your life. I hope yours is doing well!

      Reply
  6. Jane says

    February 18, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    Oh my gosh, what a wonderful post! Happy birthday to your dad! I’m sure you have inherited his optimism, I can see it in you and your daughter! I love how she said it is was a beautiful cloudy day! And what wonderful lyrics! My dad would sing to, and having studied music therapy, I know what an influence music can have!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 19, 2012 at 3:23 pm

      It’s incredible how much singing that song in the morning can make me feel so happy and ready for the day.

      Reply
  7. Kath (My Funny Little Life) says

    February 18, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    That’s a wonderful attitude your dad has about life, Maryea! Happy birthday to your dad! 🙂

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 19, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Thank you, Kath.

      Reply
  8. Julie McLeod says

    February 18, 2012 at 12:34 am

    Maryea, what a beautiful tribute to your Dad. I cannot even imagine how proud your parents must be of you and your wonderful writing talent. We love reading your happy healthy Momma articles. Happy Birthday, Rob Pike!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 19, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply
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  9. Melissa says

    February 17, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    Maryea, I remember your dad singing at their cottage up north. He’s an awesome singer! Happy Birthday Mr. P!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 19, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Now if only I’d inherited his singing voice! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Rawkinmom says

    February 17, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    awwww….what a nice post!!!

    Reply
  11. Amy says

    February 17, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    I couldn’t agree more Maryea!! Your Dad is such a wonderful man. I’m so lucky to have him as my father-in-law. He sang at our wedding and it is a memory that I will always treasure… Happy Birthday to Big Robb!!

    Reply
  12. Lauren @ Lawfully Wedded Wife says

    February 17, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    Happy birthday to your dad! He sounds like a wonderful person. Optimism is definitely a powerful thing, I try to make sure I always keep mine. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Lydia says

    February 17, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Beautiful post!! It is nice to be able to pass things like this down to our own children. Thank you for posting the words to the song:-) Happy Birthday, Mr. Pike:-)

    Reply
  14. Christine (Merf) says

    February 17, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    What a wonderful and special post. And how optimistic it makes me feel that my values may pass down to my children and even grandchildren!

    Reply
  15. Jillian says

    February 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Happy Birthday Mr. Pike! He is a great man. I always loved his singing, too. What a great post about him. He deserves it! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Ari@ThE DivA DiSh says

    February 17, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    This is beautiful! Your dad sounds like a great guy, and people like him make life worth smiling for! Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  17. Candy @ Healthy in Candy Land says

    February 17, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    What a lovely tribute to your dad! He sounds like a great man and dad. Thanks for the nudge toward optimism–I am by nature not a very optimistic person, but I firmly believe in making our own lives the way we want them to be. I am going to sing out loud today.

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 17, 2012 at 8:06 pm

      I never would have guessed you aren’t an optimistic person. Singing out loud really is powerful, as corny as I might sound!

      Reply
  18. Jennifer says

    February 17, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    He sounds like a amazing man! Happy Birthday to him!

    Reply
  19. Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says

    February 17, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your dad! 🙂 He sounds like an amazing mad who has been an amazing example of the way to live life. I love hearing about people that take every day for the beautiful creation that God has made it and make the most of it. Also, I LOVE that you are sining that song to Meghan everyday on the way to school. 🙂 Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your dad!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 17, 2012 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks, Julie. He really is amazing. I’m a lucky girl to have him for a dad. 🙂

      Reply
  20. Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says

    February 17, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    aww…happy b-day to your father. He sounds like an awesome Dad!

    Reply

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