Nat King Cole - Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer (H. Carste, C. Tobias) ~ Erwin Lazaro 133

The music of Nat King Cole makes my heart sing and when my heart sings … I smile …inside and out. A smiling heart definitely replenishes. My spirit is replenished. And, all that singing and smiling leads to well … happiness! Everything seems easier. Burdens feel lighter.

The gloom that seems to shroud our world is less foreboding. Wait … what was that?

Actually, the most perplexing part of humanity itself ... for me, anyway, regardless of any circumstance, is the fact that the human spirit is capable of incredible achievements and on the turn of a dime, the same spirit can be beaten down by an impending sense of doom. The human spirit is fickle by nature or more accurately, impressionable. I believe the cup to be half full and that ideology gets me to where I want to go and I’m able to do what I want to do … most of the time. Making the effort is half the battle and the other half really hinges on staying focused … if I can stay focused. That winning combination makes me seek every possible solution in order to accomplish what needs to be done … as much as I can, that is.

At times, I have to sigh. At times, life is tough. Singing heals me and makes me whole again. For some, it’s cooking. For others, it’s eating. Or maybe, it’s a nice tall frothy milkshake; choose your flavor. It could be running. It could be a nice long bike ride. How about a hike? Perhaps, it’s a round of golf? Swimming? How about a great game of Scrabble? Or, would you prefer a challenging crossword puzzle? It’s probably good reading. How about your favorite movie? It could quite possibly be crafting the perfect piece of furniture? I bet it has something to do with working in the garage.

Whatever“IT” is, the point is that every person needs “something” to replenish their spirits, especially when times get tough, when life gets tough. For me, it’s singing. It always has been and it always will be. It’s something that no one will ever completely understand, except for me. Of course, people have loved ones to help make things better too. But, and it’s a very BIG BUT (not two T’s), each person has to have a personal activity that rejuvenates the soul. It’s intangible. It’s inexplicable. It could be singing for you too, but I bet that I would pick something completely different from you. And THAT’S what makes it invaluable. The value comes from my personal experiences. That’s why it’s something that no one else can touch. It’s mine alone. For me, it’s singing.

My life is filled with daily happiness because of my beautiful wife and children, but sometimes, I need the singing to help revitalize me too. I needed to sing some Nat King Cole this week for reasons I may bring up another time. His music makes my heart sing and when my heart sings … I smile … inside and out.

From Wikipedia:
"Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer” was Nat King Cole’s last hit (#6 Pop) before he passed away on February 15, 1965. It’s also the title of his 1963 album, arranged by Ralph Carmichael.