“Grab your coat, and get your hat, leave yourworry on the doorstep. Just direct yourfeet, to the sunny side of the street.” ~ Dorothy Fields
The lyrics from ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’ were composed by Jimmy McHugh with lyrics by Dorothy Fields in 1930 as the world was plunging into the Great Depression. The words gave hope and were heard across the country for years. The song became a jazz and big band standard. It is widely believed that the stock market crash of 1929 was a symptom of deeper and more systemic problems than the events leading up to the epic day it all tanked in September. The nation certainly did not leave worries on the doorstep. Instead, we entered into a period of isolationism which included punitive tariffs. The result was catastrophic.
Lessons of the Great Depression and theoptimism of ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’ are available to each of us inour own struggles. Hard times come andthey also go. We can choose to isolate,withdraw, protect ourselves at the expense of others and hide with our head in thesand, or we can choose to connect with families, friends and the community. We can absolutely find ways to help oneanother, and persist with an optimistic ‘Can-Do’ attitude. Of course, no good comes from ignoring theproblems that we have. Things areresolved by taking a positive approach toward solutions. But we need each other to make ithappen. Let’s reach out and lend a hand.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secret ofthe stars, or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the humanspirit.” ~ Helen Keller
