Happy Thursday to all. Hope this finds you all well and safe.
It is about 40* first thing this morning, but very dreary looking and breezy. Woke to dense fog! Late yesterday afternoon and evening we had rain - and for a bit the temps dropped, and things got a little icy. I walked outside about 7:30 last evening and could have easily ended up on my bottom side! All melted and is just damp now - temps rose over night.
If you got icy conditions, stay in and stay safe. Nothing is worth taking a risk for.
Just a little reminder to everyone - your life is what you make it. Sure stuff happens, that alters life, sometimes in very dramatic ways. We can wallow in those events, or realize you can't change them, and you are still here. So make the best of it.
Not everything happens in this world the way we want or the way we like. That is life!
Complaining and bellyaching about it sure isn't going to change it, and it isn't going to win you any friends either.
I truly can't remember a year in my life, that there wasn't some major heartache or major disappointment. Yet here I am!
Tomorrow the sun will rise and set just life it has every day of your life. Hopefully you will wake up again. Your days will continue to unfold the unknown story.
If those things don't happen - well, then you don't have to worry anymore!
We can each choose joy, or we can choose misery or hate or ugliness. The way you choose says much about YOU!
You can change you; you can change the little part of the world you step in, and you can change other attitudes with a smile and a kind word.
So yes, make yourself happy! Eat the good food, enjoy the beauty of nature, read a book, rest a day, dance and laugh a little, pet an animal, watch a child enjoy life (they know how to do it), buy a flower or even a treat - JUST DO IT! You have the control.
Have a wonderful and blessed day.
SMILE
I love this post Cheryl. A good reminder. The only thing any of us can actually control is how we respond to people, events, situations, etc. We can't control anyone or anything else.
ReplyDeleteWe had rain off and on all day yesterday. It's been a very wet Fall and Winter so far.
Thanks. Yes mam, all we can control is us. Responses show a lot about people - kind of an inside view if you will. Some folks just always seem angry - I find that so sad.
DeleteIt sure is damp!
While I do agree you can only control what's in your control - I find it hard to separate myself from people who are genuinely being hurt. It's a fine line between preserving your sanity and not putting your head in the sand. I'm really struggling these days.
ReplyDeleteYou can know what is going on and have feelings about it, but how you respond to others is totally in your/our control. All the worry and anger in the world isn't going to change a thing. In my opinion, all we can do for others is pray.
DeleteOne thing for sure, we can't control anyone else's feelings or attitude. I watched an old movie in which a female character said "she wanted to make her husband happy". I don't think she had that control over him. Happiness or contentment comes from within us and the Spirit who lives there. I've seen people who thought if they just had X Y or Z, they would be happy. I prefer to feel contentment and gratitude.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it got a little nasty last evening. Today is a little gloomy but that makes it all the better for snuggling up with dogs on the couch, reading a book. We are having comfort food for lunch. Preparing the rest of the chicken that the Farmer cooked yesterday in chicken gravy, served over cauliflower rice. Probably some mixed veg on the side.
Erin said that the company that bought Big Lots also owns Ross Dress for Less, a company called Variety Wholesalers. Their goal is to keep some of the Big Lots stores open and employees to keep their jobs. There are two ladies who work with her who have only SS and supplement their income with parttime at BL. I would miss BL and still have some things I bought over thirty-five years ago when I lived in Lebanon. We keep hearing rumblings that Kroger is in financial trouble.
Enjoy your weekend!
Count me in on team contentment/gratitude as well. Our true happiness comes from within. All the worry, complaining and anger will never solve a problem - never. I choose to know what is happening, take it as it comes, and go forward and live MY life the best I can. Can't live it for others.
DeleteLunch sounds good. I made chili today!
I have several things from years ago bought at BL . I always liked that store - such variety. I hope some stick around.
Thanks - you too.
What you say is so true. Today I had to have a small surgical procedure carried out at my local hospital. The receptionist was one of those dour blank-faced types with a monotone voice, so that threw me a bit. Then I was called in and met the small surgical team of 3, all ladies, who were doing the actual op. Well all three of them were so friendly and thoughtful. They chatted to me throughout and I actually had quite an enjoyable time. What could have been a traumatic experience was transformed by their pleasantness. I was so glad that the receptionist wasn't the one wielding the scalpel!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, that your experience made a good turn. People have such an effect on others - we all do. I am glad the team made the day better and here's hoping all is OK for you!!
DeleteThe year after my hubs passed, my daughter gave ma an inspirational calendar for my office. One of the monthly calendar pages said "We have to CHOOSE JOY and keep choosing it." I've still got a photo of that month's calendar on my wall or inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBoy oh boy, is that the truth. You, me, any of us, could fall down into the deep hole of anguish and misery - yet here we are trying to motivate others. We have to step up and do what 'they' would want us to do!!! I think we both did!
DeleteMy mom called this attitude - the use the good China -just because. Don’t worry about breaking something. Use the China and make the memories. When the kids were young we decided that once a month we would use the good China and dress up for dinner and practice our best manners. Many times we would see if grandparents were available to join us. Since my in-laws passed away in their 50’s I am glad we made the good memories with them. The kids were 9, 7 and 4 when they passed away and at least the older two remember the special dinners with my husband’s parents.
ReplyDeleteWe learned to not wait for tomorrow as tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Enjoy everyday.
Excellent idea! My mom had a set for 20. My father bought it for her, and she only used it a handful of times. Most of them were victums of the tornado that took our house. I inherited what was left and use one of the small plate every day for breakfast. It is beautiful and holds happy memories. Ijust push out the not so happy ones.
DeleteLove it. Yes, we always say we are keeping things for something special. Well, everyday waking up is pretty darn special. Enjoy those moments and use the things. They are worth nothing if not used - and odds are our heirs will just sell them!
DeleteGood for you both!
Focus on the small things that we can cotrol. Ii went to Big City near me a week ago and went into Trader Joes and picked up 2 bouquets of their 3.99 flowers. With freshening the water and picking out the spent blooms these last me 2 weeks. I am doing a poetry study for the heck of it and to exercise my mind. Read the book club book (don't just pretend to.) I am also ordering my seed and starting my winter sowing. Taking a little more time outside when I walk the dog. Meditating. All of these things take so little time and improve my mood.
ReplyDeleteYou are just a walking example of the meme above. That is so good. Doing things "just because". Regardless of the weather I am outside 365 days a year - fresh air and a little exercise and some sunshine. Communing with nature. Nothing better.
DeleteYou have the right attitude for happiness, for sure!
I saw a speaker once who emphasized that 10% of life is what happens, 90% is how one chooses to react to it. I'm not certain her math was quite correct, but I do agree that our ability to deal with things can be influenced by our own attitude. Plus, and sadly, the more heartache and difficulties we encounter tend to help us build resistance. I've been fortunate that there has been few major, though many minor disappointments or losses over the years. Or perhaps I just wasn't paying attention. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a neat concept. We do create our own attitude - and that attitude affects others..
DeleteYes events can train us to resist - but we can't give up. We need to keep on trying every single day. Make the most of each day.
I worked with someone years ago who always said "choose your attitude". Mostly for her that meant choose positive, choose joy but it sometimes meant choose to fight or push back when appropriate.
ReplyDeleteEveryday I try to make the day one of happiness. You are right there are things we can not change, but there are things we need to push back at through our attitude and through our beliefs.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes mam. We need to stand firm in our beliefs. Happiness is our choice and like you, I want my days to be happy.
DeleteI am so trying to adopt that attitude.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Cheryl! I agree completely and also pray for the day when there isn't so much division and hatred in the world. It's been spring like in Arizona this week and I've done yard work every day - just getting outside and enjoying nature feels great. Take care and I always enjoy your positive attitude and posts!
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine. Thank you and so happy to have you here.
DeleteOh, to get outside and work in the yard - how wonderful for you. I look forward to that. Being outside just seems to brighten a mood.
I agree, there is so much anger in the world - we just need to get along the best we can.
I choose joy and I know you do too, Cheryl. 💕
ReplyDeleteAMEN -100%
DeleteYeppers, sadness and happiness. All part of life. That's the good stuff though, that if we're very, very lucky, we get to experience it all.
ReplyDeleteIt sure does put things in perspective, doesn't it? We sure wouldn't know the REAL joy without some sorrow.
Delete100 percent.
DeleteThanks for the reminder Cheryl! Choosing joy is definitely a choice. I try to find God in each situation and that helps my attitude. Sometimes it takes practice!
ReplyDeleteYes it does take practice. God gets us through everything. We can be down or we can celebrate and be joyful.
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