Guy Shaeffer

Guy Shaeffer was the founder of SMILE, the Society for Mental Improvement and Living Enthusiastically. He built his influence around songs, slogans, and constant cheerfulness, teaching followers to answer every sorrow with a smile. After suffering a heart attack at a convention, Guy became interested in Aubrey Shepard because she refused to perform happiness for him. Their blunt conversations exposed habits in both of them: Aubrey clung to misery, while Guy's optimism had no lasting foundation. His followers rejected him when he began asking honest questions. Before a second heart attack took his life, Guy prayed to accept Jesus. His final change showed Aubrey that genuine hope can face pain honestly, while forced cheerfulness only covers it.