Whaaaattttt?

Look at our world. Look at the headlines! Actually, don't. They are for the most part downright depressing. Catastrophic events, corrupt leaders, dishonesty, families falling apart....I'd better stop now. It's crazy. We need some good.

There is good. It's usually buried in obscure pieces of news, and tiny corners of the written word. As far as the media is concerned, it's not worth reporting because it's not sensational enough. I think good is right under our noses. Good is still all over the place, we just don't get to see and hear all of it that goes on every day. But we need to. We need good. We need happy. We need kind. We need light.

So why, how, what the heck....I hear complaints that....wait for it....it's truly going to shock you- "There are people who are TOO nice." WHAT the heck?

Some call it being naïve. Some think if you're happy all the time you've got to be fake. Me? I think it's amazing. I think it's brave, I think it's possessing a divine attribute.

I think it is a grand thing to find a person who can keep being nice in the midst of the things that life can dish out. It's amazing to me when people can stay positive no matter what is going on in the world and even more importantly their own homes and families. The person who can smile through the pain and help others through theirs is a saint,  period. Someone who is kind when they have been hurt? The epitome of grace and charity. Sometimes being happy is the furthest thing from a person's mind, but to find kindness and share it no matter what is one of the things we are here to learn. Not complaining when there's plenty to complain about? Try it for a day. See if you can do it. That takes grit, strength and integrity. Finding light in the darkness? Joy in the drudgery? Delight in the simple things? Good things in my book. Nice qualities. Nice things to be around. Nice, just nice!

SO no. You can't be too nice. In a world like this where nice can keep even one person going, there's no such thing as being too nice. Keep bringing it nice people! Because I NEED NICE. And I will be grateful.

 

Through the Good and the Bad and Ugly

Our lives are speeding by. I'm planning a wedding that is less than a month away. We are going on a week long cruise that I'm trying to get ready for. I am trying to finish up my work for the year at my school. I am worrying about my ailing dad and wondering if I am going to get to be his kidney donor.  I feel like I catch a part of my day and grab on as quickly as I can then hold on for the ride to the end of the day, and hope I make it through without wrecking too much or flubbing too many of my words up. As much as I like to make every moment count, I realize some days are just going to be a drill in survival mode. I've given a lot of thought recently to what the word patience really means. I'm realizing it contains a very lengthy definition to be properly understood. I'm working on a blog post about patience, but it is for another day.

Today, I want to focus on the good things each stressful day brings, and mention that survival really does bring out some of the best that's within us. With each hurdle I jump I find strength and find pleasure in the simplest of things just because they have made my day better.

A simple, happy moment.

I got a new CD this week. I've been raving about a song on it for months now. American Authors has a song called Best Day of My Life. If I listen to that song, it is.....the best day of my life. That song makes me happy in an instant. It makes me grateful and reminds me I have the power to make each day the best-through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I highly recommend the whole CD. Every song on it is good. Every song is upbeat. Every song has a message or something I can relate to. A simple CD and I'm having a great day. Some days a simple thing is all it takes. And I'm grateful.

Just Breathe

I'm learning the value of just breathing. Not just taking breath into my lungs to keep me physically alive, but taking the breath of life into my heart to keep me calm and realizing how precious life is.  Breathing life in, breathing stress and emotional exhaustion out.

I'm finding that if I inhale deeply and just notice all things right in the world, my breath comes much easier to me.

Just a few things I've "breathed" in today:

The air is cooler. It gives me hope. I'm feeling better about every situation in life largely because of the fact that I'm not melting as quickly anymore.

We've had some rain! I love rainy days. Especially when it has been so hot for so long.

People heal. Because of other people.

The sunsets at this time of year are phenomenal.

 

 

 

 

 

I've been married for 21 1/2 years and Chad still loves me!

My girls have made a name for themselves by being kind. As a mother, I can imagine no higher compliment.

There is still so much good left in the world. I love the days when I don't have to look very hard to find it.

Things get better. They always change. It very well could be worse. I'm happy my life is mine.

Life is good. People around me work every day at  making it good. I'm blessed that it is.