Many, if not most, of us know the melody and the refrain to this old tune, but do we know all the words?:

Grey skies are gonna clear up;Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up; Put on a happy face
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy; It's not your style
You'll look so good that you'll be glad you decided to smile.

Pick out a pleasant outlook; Stick out that noble chin
Wipe off that full of doubt look; Slap on a happy grin
And spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a hap-hap-happy face

Why look so awfully tragic; Put on a happy face
Smiling can work like magic; Put on a happy face
Why do you mope around so sourly; It's such a strain
I always try to chuckle hourly; It clears the brain

I knew a girl so gloomy; She wouldn't laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me; Now she's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place;
Just put on a happy face

Yesterday, I read this article in The Washington Post about the surprise finding that botox injections seem to significantly lift depression in some patients! There are all kinds of explanations advanced as to why this could be the case. The one that is the most intriguing has to do with the possible impact that simply not frowning might have on the brain activity that is associated with depression. This would not be the first time that theory has been posited, but the Botox Effect just might confirm it.

Of course, there are more studies to come, but isn't this something your mother and grandmother already knew? Didn't they pester you to "get that look off of your face before it gets stuck that way." Or in more nurturing moments while trying to take your teenage angst seriously, didn't they ever remind you that "it's so much easier to be happy." Seems like they were right.

So remember. If you ever start looking haggard and feeling depressed because you're an older parent chasing after your kids; or, because you're faced with some adoption related crisis or another, then get yourself shot in the forehead with a dose of botulinim toxin. Better yet, just put on a happy face. It's readily at your disposal, it's free, and it doesn't hurt.