The ZADDD method 2-25-06

I was recently listening to a book on tape discussion of smiling. The author encouraged smiling at somebody at least once per hour. He said it was perfectly acceptable to force one’s self to smile if it did not come naturally. A forced smile, he proposed, can be just as good as an involuntary smile. The forced smile will be contagious, and will force the smiling person’s face into a physical representation of happiness and caring.

There was a quote in the book from William James, telling how the mental and physical states of a person are related and either can effect the other. I recognized a truth in this relative to my own experience. Elsewhere, I have heard it called “thinking one’s self into right action” or “acting one’s self into right thinking”, the latter being accomplished by the forced smile.

This discussion reminded me of a technique that I learned a few years back.

If you’re ever feeling dull and grim, or having a bad day at all, here is a method that will lift your spirits and help you find something positive to focus on.

Sit down in a comfortable chair. Let your back be straight, and your chest out, with your neck long shoulders relaxed. Take a deep breath in. Hold for a moment. Slowly exhale. Take another deep and slow breath in. Hold it for a moment.. and slowly exhale.

Now, begin to sing this tune:

Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da,
Zippadee-ay,
My oh my,
What a wonderful day,
plenty of sunshine,
Heading my way,
Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da,
Zipadee-ay

Mr. Bluebird's on my shoulder,
It's the truth,
It's factual,
Everything is satisfactual
Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da,
Zippadee-ay,
Wonderful feeling,
Wonderful day,

Repeat it two or three times. Allow you head to from bounce side to side if you feel the urge. Allow yourself to smile at the complete silliness of it. Go ahead and imagine that bear who sings it. Clap if you like.

I’m not sure where I heard this method, but I did not originate it so I cannot take credit for it. It is, however, I have found, a wonderful way to start a day either at home or at work. Two or three rounds of Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da will usually set your attitude in a positive direction. If there is sadness in your life, it will point you twards gratitude. If there is anger in your environment, it will point the path twards forgivness and reconciliation. Try looking at something or someone that you hat and singing it. You may find the importance of the resentment fades to the importance of recognizing the joy of living in this moment.

I recommend that the act of singing Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da be quite absorbing. If I let it fill my whole concentration, it has amazing results. I think it is physically impossible to sing this silly song at the full volume and correct tempo in a dreary mental state. I’ve tried, and it’s very difficult. So sing it heartily and with feeling, and allow it to induce the feelings that it sings about.

Call it “The Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da method” if you like.