As they say in the movie … put your hands in the air like you just do not care!
That’s what I’m sayin’! Put your hands up high, over your head. Open up those fingers and swing your arms to the left and to the right. Swing your hips to the left and the right! And put a smile on your face whether you feel like it or not. Feel better?
If you actually did that, you do feel better, and I’ll tell you why. You can change your mood by changing what your body is doing. It’s true. There’s a body of evidence that tells us that we can change how we feel by doing a few very simple things. For example, it’s almost impossible to stay feeling angry when you put your hands over your head like you see in this drawing, titled Happy Bogles. Wave them back and forth; you’ll be surprised at how you feel.
Or, if you’re feeling sad or angry, go to the mirror and give yourself your best, happiest smile. Keep smiling and you’ll feel a change. Of course, one of the simplest things to do to change a mood is dance. Do you feel like dancing when you’re feeling out of sorts? Of course not, and that’s exactly why you do it anyway. And put up those hands and see what happens.
Now who are those wonderful happy bogles and what’s a bogle anyway? Happy Bogles is by John D. Batten, a British painter and illustrator, (1860 – 1932), who among his numerous works, illustrated English and other countries’ fairy tales, mostly around the turn of the century. This particular illustration, which I have loved for such a long time, accompanied The Golden Ball.
What is unique about this particular illustration is that it portrays bogles as happy. Bogles are folkloric creatures of Northumbrian and Scottish origin who play a part in any number of folk and fairy tales; however, they are not known for being happy creatures. Rather they are mischievous and enjoy making life difficult for humans, albeit not particularly harmful. But in this illustration they are joyful. (Hmmm – perhaps they just accomplished something to bother some unsuspecting person.)
Whenever I look at this drawing, I feel happy. Let it inspire you, too, and put those hands in the air with a big smile. See? It’s working!
Still A Dreamer 
Excellent, excellent post, Jeanne. By the way, those bogel creatures look a lot like frogs.
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Thanks! Yes, these do look like frogs, but from what I’ve read here and there, they can take all different forms. They are also sometimes defined as ghosts.
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I love this post, Jeanne. And that drawing. Happy. I put one and a half arms in the arm – since only one goes up straight. Is that okay? Made me smile.
Hope all goes well with you, including the writing, Jeanne.
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Put as many as you can in the air, give it a smile like you just don’t care, and you’ve got it! 🙂 I’m glad to put a smile on your face, Cynthia.
And thanks for the writing encouragement.
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I can vouch for dancing–and putting your hands up too. Hello. I’ve re-plugged into the online universe–sort of.
Hope YOU are all things good.
Kaw kaw!
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Glad to you stopped by! Hey, maybe it’s not the plugging in but the length of he cord. 🙂 I’ll be stopping by your casa soon!
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I love this whole concept which should be common sense but who uses that anymore. And yes I did put my hands up and stretch and wiggle and got a bit more energy and a smile. Part of my smile is due to your reference to John D Batten. You see, I too am a Batten and genealogy is a passion of mine. My mother is an artist and although she is only a Batten by marriage, I sent her the info on John. Wondering if she’s ever heard of him. Illustrations look mighty familiar to me. Thanks for posting such an uplifting piece. Look forward to reading more. Lisa Batten Kunkleman
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Hi Lisa – Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comments. Among the most well-known of children’s book illustrators of that time, John Batten is not the first to come to mind, although he was quite prolific. If you Google him, and I’m sure you did, you can find just how many books he illustrated, and hey – maybe your mom is related, even if only by marriage. On the common sense and who uses that? Many a day I have thought about a blog post I could write on that subject! But I’m glad you enjoyed my simple little way to boost or change a mood. I’m telling you, a morning radio and a little dancing around the kitchen always puts me in a better mood. I’ll be stopping by your place soon … 🙂
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