Proper Care And Feeding of Your Mind (Or, How To Be The Eternal Optimist)

I’ve always been an optimistic person.

I can remember being… maybe 7 or 8 years old and DESPERATELY wanting to go to an event at church.  The weather man was predicting an 80% chance of blinding snow and ice.

“I’m sorry, baby, but it looks like your thing at church will be canceled,” my mom said.

I remember being genuinely confused by her assumption.  ”Why do you think that?  Didn’t you hear him?  There is a 20% chance that the weather will be just fine.”

I was right, too!  The storm came later than expected and I got to go to the party.

Optimism has come easily to me and my experience has been that, more often than not, when I maintain a philosophy of “things will work out,” they do….  usually.

That said, adulthood brings with it a whole new level of stress and worry.  Will this make my child sick? Is my daughter going to be in therapy forever because I said that? Did I do enough today to show my husband I love him? Where in the world is the money for that car repair going to come from?  Where will we go if we can’t pay the rent?  What will people think of me if they know I made that particular bad choice?

It’s easy to get bogged down, even for a natural-born optimist.  I can think of a few times over the years when I felt truly lost.  I was broken and without hope.  It’s the worst feeling I can imagine and it brings tears to my eyes when loved ones tell me they are in that place.  It is a dark, horrible, lonely place to be.  I would never wish it on anyone.

It was, in large part, Handsome Hippie Hubby, who taught me that everyone walks through those “dark places.”  Whether we pass through them or set up housekeeping and live there is up to us.  The better we get at “passing through” the easier it becomes until the “little things” really do seem little and it becomes very easy indeed to see the beauty of life all around us.

***Please note!!!  I am NOT talking here about people who experience true clinical depression or anxiety.  What I’m writing here, to that person, would be like telling a person who just got burned all over their body to drink a little willow bark tea to make the pain go away. I’m not speaking of medical depression, or of the despair that can come after truly traumatic or devastating events,  but rather of a chronic general “nothing goes my way” grouchiness or persistent ”what if” thoughts.  If you came across this blog looking for hope and help because you just CAN’T see hope any more, please PLEASE know that you are NOT alone and there is help.  I’ve asked some dear wise friends with experience and knowledge beyond mine for good links and they are listed at the end of this post.  ***

A week or two ago I shared this picture on Facebook.

A friend asked me, “How is that done? Seriously, I’d love to know.”

I’m not a doctor or a psychologist or a therapist or any other “ist.”  But if you’d like to know I’ll share my very best trick.

Fake it ’til you make it.

When you wake up to dog vomit on the carpet after only 4 hours of sleep that was interrupted at least 3 times by sick, whiny kids and you drop your phone in the toilet and the car won’t start you are having a bad day.

NOW is the time to make a choice.

You can use your words to proclaim to the universe how crappy your life is. You can post a status on Facebook declaring it to be a horrible start to a day that will no-doubt only get worse.  You can ask, “why does this always happen to ME?”  You can shed tears over all of the things that never seem to go your way.  You can spend your day worrying about what may or may not actually happen at sometime in the vague future and wondering how much better life would be if only……

OR

You can start giving thanks… even if you don’t feel thankful right at that moment.

Start listing things you are grateful for.   List them out loud.  Hear yourself talking about how thankful you are.  It doesn’t matter if you are “feeling it.” Fake it ’til you make it.  What can you be thankful for RIGHT NOW?

Start listing the very second you realize the voices in your head are luring you down a bad road.

My list usually starts something  like this:

“I am thankful for these socks. My feet are warm.”

“I am thankful for feet. My life would be much more complicated without them.”

“I am thankful that I am healthy and therefore able to care for my sick child.”

“I am thankful that my husband remembered to buy carpet cleaning stuff last week.”

“I am thankful that it’s not raining today. I really needed some sunshine.”

“I am thankful for running water and a working toilet so I can flush this mess away.”

“I am thankful for these incredibly comfy sweat pants.”

“I am thankful for a family who doesn’t  judge me for sometimes wearing very ugly sweat pants.”

And on it goes.

Sometimes the results are very quick.  Sometimes it takes quite a while but, always, I find that I start to be truly thankful and I realize that my blessings are many… truly infinite, I’ve never run out of things to be thankful for. My problems are few, by comparison.  It’s  like the old adage, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”   You always have something to be thankful for.

You may say, “my life is so horrible today I have NOTHING to give thanks for.”

Really?  Nothing?  You have a thinking, reasoning mind that was able form that sentence.  You have eyes that allow you to read this blog.

Latch on to whatever good you can find and pour gratefulness on it like fertilizer.

My mom provided me the perfect illustration of this recently.  She had a houseplant that looked like this:

Now my mom is a pretty awesome lady.  I won’t tell her age, but I’ll say that she qualified for the 10% discount at Bob Evans before I graduated High School and I’m now in view of the big 4-0.  Yet she is out and about every day.  She travels with her friends and sisters, she goes to parties and water aerobic classes and food festivals.  She is active in her church’s ministries and works there as secretary.  Last week she posted pictures of herself on Facebook, wearing a big black Stetson and dancing with a handsome cowboy at a hoedown.  She’s so busy enjoying life to its fullest that she neglected her poor houseplant.

It died.

Well… almost…

There was nothing left other than 5 little stems.

But with a little  attention, her plant started making a true comeback.  New shoots came up and the existing ones got stronger.

And so it is with us.  Sometimes we get VERY beaten down.  But if you can find that little bit of hope… allow that tiny remainder of gratitude to take root… feed it as best you can… it will grow and flourish.

Being optimistic can be a choice.  It is not about always having a big fake grin on your face or turning a blind eye to the ills of this life.  It’s not about never feeling sadness or concern.  We live in a broken world where people are hurting… where we are sometimes hurting.  But no amount of despair on our part will make someone else’s hurt go away.  No amount of worrying will fix that which is broken.  Wallowing in our woes does not accomplish anything except to make us more acutely aware of our woes.

Why not wallow in blessings instead?

Science has shown that positive people live longer, happier, healthier, more productive lives.  Why choose anything else?

Take control of your thoughts today… right now… this very minute.  Stop letting them run wild down whatever path they choose and harness them into a state of gratefulness.

What do you have to lose?

Do you have other tips for staying positive?  Please share them!

Important links for those seeking help:

USA National Suicide and Crisis Hotline

Tumblr Depression Hotline – “there’s nothing wrong with reaching out and asking for help.”

Teen Health and Wellness Hotline

Everyday Health – “Who Can I Talk To?”

24 Grief Hotline

Are you, too, seeking to save the earth, promote world peace and raise productive citizens without expending too much effort?

Why not follow LazyHippieMama on WordPress, by email or Facebook to get all the updates.

If we work on our goals together, they may be a little easier to achieve!  

Comments are always encouraged! Feel free to discuss, debate, question, constructively criticize  praise or just chat but note that name-calling, excessive use of foul language or general rudeness will result in your comments being edited or deleted.

This One’s For The Girls – Celebrating International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day.

Generally, I’m not a big fan of days like this.  I mean, shouldn’t women be honored and respected every day?  Just like fathers and mothers and grandparents and spouses?  But when I saw that today is IWD I couldn’t help but think of the women who have influenced my life.  They are too many to count;  My mother, grandmother and aunts, my teachers and neighbors and friends, my bosses and coworkers….

And then I thought of my sisters.

I come from a family of “yours, mine, ours and hers” for a total of 8 whole, half and step siblings, but it was the 2 gorgeous girls pictured above with me who were really a part of my life, growing up.

They have grown into extraordinary women (which in itself  says a lot about the hardworking woman who raised us!).

One is a music teacher:  A really, truly, wonderful award-winning music teacher.  She’s the kind of teacher that kids want to stay in touch with the rest of their lives.  She is gentle and kind and so smart it’s overwhelming.  She married an awesome guy and, in doing so, gave us all another brother whom the whole family loves.  She plays Devil’s Advocate all the time and she’s good at it (see “so smart,” above) but she’s never hurtful. She is always there for her little sisters.

The other works in a hospital maternity ward, giving her help to women in one of the most important moments of their lives, and she loves it.  She knows exactly what they are going through, as she, herself, gave birth to four children in 3 years.   (Yes, you read that right.  Four children under age 3.)  When faced with the challenges of divorce and becoming a single mom, through no choice of her own, she showed stunning strength and powerful, inspirational love for her children.  She is funny and clever and brave.  She makes friends more easily than anyone I’ve ever known.

I am blessed beyond measure to have these women in my life!  They help me be a better woman.

Women do amazing things.  Yet women face some extraordinary challenges.  Did you know that, globally, nearly SEVEN OUT OF TEN women will experience physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime?  70%!!!  What a horrible, staggering number!  We can do better.  We must.

Maybe, as a way to pay it forward, for all the women who have helped you, you could help other women.  There are some great ideas here and here and here.

No matter what, please take a moment, today to honor the women who have made a difference in your life.  There are few things a woman appreciates more than knowing she’s appreciated.

On that note, I’ll leave you with one of the greatest quotes about women, ever, by one of the funniest and most-loved women of our time.

Are you, too, seeking to save the earth, promote world peace and raise productive citizens without expending too much effort?

Why not follow LazyHippieMama on WordPress, by email or Facebook to get all the updates.

If we work on our goals together, they may be a little easier to achieve!

Being Thankful

This morning I was on the verge of a hissy-fit (if you’ve never seen/experienced true hissy…. it is NOT pretty) because my multifunction printer wouldn’t work correctly.  Then, while waiting NEARLY FIFTEEN MINUTES (can you believe it?!? That’s 15 minutes of my VERY VALUABLE time!) for the tech to call me back I saw this video that my sister posted on Facebook.

I’m ashamed.  As one who has preached the virtues of giving thanks, I should have known better!  My blessings are beyond measure!  And if you are sitting in a warm place, browsing through your favorite blogs, yours are as well.

Take some time today to give thanks.  It will change your life!

“Those who bring thanks as their sacrifice honor me…”  Psalm 50:23

On Reaching 201 And A New Award

It’s a major award! I won it!  Mind power, you know.

If I have learned anything about blogging in the past months it is that the blogosphere is a big community.  The community contributes to the success and growth of a blogger or else the blog withers and dies.

Lazy Hippie Mama is not the breakout success story of 2012 but, thanks to each and every one of you it has slowly and steadily grown and developed into something I am proud of and that I enjoy very much.  I sincerely hope that my posts are an encouragement to you.

Since the beginning, my “1st milestone” goal was to reach 200 followers, and this past week I got there!

A special thanks to FunnyGurl2 at I’m Not Stalking You for being my inspiration to start this blog and for being my very 1st follower all the way through Poppyunderhill over at the Book of Shadows and Blessings for being there when I needed just ONE MORE to reach my goal and to Pura Vida/Costa Rica Travel Blog for being #201 – first toward the next goal.

In preparing to write this, I scrolled through my followers, and I was so very blessed and humbled.  There are writers and photographers, teenagers and grandparents, Christians, Pagans and atheists.   There are vegetarians and carnivores, home schoolers, government officials, professional athletes, recovering addicts, health “nuts”, hippies, yuppies and geeks.   There are followers from dozens of nations, in every part of the world.

The diversity of the group is overwhelming and amazing and beautiful!  I LOVE that so many of my followers are so different from me!  Do you realize what that means?

To me, it means that men and women, young and old, people of every faith and belief system ALL want to achieve world peace, save the Earth and raise productive citizens (perhaps while expending as little energy as possible).

If we are all working together toward such a beautiful end, it seems our differences become a minor issue.

I am SO encouraged and So blessed and made SO very hopeful by this!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

While I’m passing out thanks, I would like to offer a HUGE thanks to Pixie from Pixiecraft, for nominating me for the Liebster Award!  I would like to note that, when she gave it to me, I only had 199 followers, so I’m going to gladly accept and credit Pixie with pushing me past my goal!

“The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The word “Liebster” comes from German and can mean the sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, most beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.”

So, here are the Rules:

Thank the person who nominated you.

When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.  I skipped this last part because I’m a LAZY hippie.

Pass the award onto 11 other blogs (while making sure you notify the blogger that you nominated them!) You write up 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees. (See above: “LAZY)

You are not allowed to nominate the blog who nominated your own blog!

You paste the award picture into your blog. (You can Google the image, there are plenty of them!)

So… random facts about me:

1) I love fuzzy socks. I don’t put much effort into matching them before I put them on.

2) I think dill pickles are the perfect complement to peanut butter sandwiches, which I find too sweet by themselves.

3) I minored in Political Science but never finished that degree because I tried and failed 3 times to pass American Diplomatic History and finally decided I just didn’t care enough to take a 4th go at it.

4) As a child I had a fatal kidney disease that was healed in what can only be described as a miraculous way.

5) I have given up watching TV at night and entertain myself, instead, by commenting on zillions of Huffington Post articles.

6) I dream in disturbing detail about apocalyptic events almost every night but rarely share my dreams with others as they are… well… disturbing.

7) I am just a little jealous of my daughter’s bravery in regard to being in front of people.  That girl feeds on the spotlight!

8) I still use plastic water bottles, even though I am trying to be a good hippie and I know that they are very bad.

9) My favorite car I ever owned was my Mercury Capri convertible   It was a piece of crap. It broke down every other time I drove it.  But I looked GOOD in that car!

10) I sometimes go in the bathroom and pretend to be “busy” so that I can read a really intense part of a book without being disturbed.

11) I ran out of time while taking my ACT in high school and started randomly filling in bubbles and ended up one point away from a perfect score.  I’ve always been lucky that way.

These 11 blogs are not random.  They are people who are close to my heart personally or as bloggers. I’m not sure how many followers they all have, so it’s possible some of them have more than 200, but they are a few of my most favorites:

1) I’m Not Stalking You – my asbestos friend in the whole world writes this blog.  She is funny and talented and not really even a little bit hippie.  You should go see what she has to say!

2) Joy of Service – my Handsome Hippie Hubby has been journaling about his call to give 50% of his (our) income for 31 days in an effort to inspire and encourage.  Go! Be inspired and encouraged!

3) Awesome Hippie Girl – since there is no rule about blatant nepotism attached to this award, I’m nominating my Sweet Hippie Daughter.  She is funny and silly and she has been working on her writing skills by blogging.  If you like sweet, funny, silly stuff you should read what she wrote.

4) Fathead Follies -  I’m nominating her because she’s funny and clever and smart and did I mention very very funny? and I think you would enjoy her site.

5)  The Kovies - Again, I’m not sure how many followers she has, but “Lexie’s Nana” is the nana we all wish she had.  I swear her blog smells like fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.  Go and see and tell me if you think so too.

6) Half Past Normal – Angela is strong and brave and funny and loving and the world needs more people like her.  She inspires me to be a better mom.

7) The Usual Bliss – Indeed, I feel blissful seeing the pictures and reading all the descriptions of basking in the tropical sun and sipping tea while watching the soft snow fall and eating rich, glorious plates full of steaming hot comfort food.  I love this blog!

8) Rebecca Vincent - writes with purity and love and a gift for words that I, as a wanna-be writer am, admittedly, a little jealous of.  If you, too, enjoy words, you will enjoy this blog!

9)The Student Disciple – this blog challenges me at every turn and I always feel like I’ve grown a little after I’ve read it.  I enjoy the well-thought-out theology very much.

10) Growing up in a Hippie Commune – Doesn’t the title tell you everything?  I am utterly fascinated by this blog!

11) Skinny and Striving – I am so inspired by this young woman’s courage and her determination and her very very worthy goal of wanting to save 3 lives.

So, there you have it!  I hope you enjoy these places as much as I have!

One final note – I think there were one or two awards in the past few months that I was nominated for and that I failed to pass along.  Please don’t think that I don’t appreciate them (and you!) with all my heart.  Sometimes, timing is everything.  Every so often I get overwhelmed by life and things slip through the cracks.  I’m sorry for that.

Now, I have to dash.  It is an exciting day for me.  My husband is taking me out and, not only are we not taking the kids, we are going to a place that doesn’t even allow children!  I honestly can’t remember the last time I went to such a place!  Not a giant singing mouse in sight!

I’ll meet you back here soon.

Are you, too, seeking to save the earth, promote world peace and raise productive citizens without expending too much effort? 

Why not follow LazyHippieMama on WordPress, by email or Facebook to get all the updates. 

If we work on our goals together, they may be a little easier to achieve!

A True Santa Story

A few days ago I read the following true story.  All day long it kept coming back to me and reminding me not to forget to expect miracles.  They are all around us!

The author is an acquaintance of mine that I wish I knew better. She is smart and fun and quick to help in times of need and just irreverent enough to crack me up frequently.   I think you will want to know her better too, so I asked her to be my first ever guest blogger and share her story.  (Thank you, Emma for agreeing!)  Enjoy it, and be filled with the hope and joy of the season!

“My Santa Story”

I  use  to work at the mall taking pictures of Santa .  It was a fun job in general. The kids were fun and my  Santa was the best.  We had several.  Every once in a while some one would send their kids up with a sad story. Like  they didn’t have money for Christmas and then hand over a letter to Santa with their address.

I am not saying they were not true stories but… some seemed sorta odd.

Anyway… one  year…  A little girl with red hair ran up to Santa and just threw her arms around him and held on real tight. By this time her dad had made his way to me and said,  “she wanted to tell Santa thank you.”

I asked,  “Thank you?  For  what? ” And he asked if this was the same Santa as the year before.  I told him that we had several different ones and he smiled and says,  ”I think I remember you. Were you working here last year?”

I said yes and then he asked if I remembered  his daughter. I tried but I could not remember her.  Then he said, “She probably didn’t have the long red hair,  hair is a new thing  for us.”

I was kinda confused. We tend to get some strange people.   I am sure he could see my  confusion and he said,  “Last year we needed a miracle . My daughter  was very sick and she needed a transplant but they where having a hard time finding a match . She thought Santa could help so she came and  asked Santa for a donor.  He went on to say that Santa said, “I will do the best I can do.”

The man said that as soon as they left the mall they had a call that they had a found a donor.

By this time I am nearly in tears.

The man thanked Santa and  told the little girl it was time to go.

I walked over to Santa and asked him if he remembered the little girl and he said that he didn’t at first but then she told him that she got her transplant.  He said he remembered that night.

We where very busy. Santa said he thinks it was Christmas Eve.  He said that he remembered crying when he talked to the little girl but we were so busy all he could do was pray .

I smiled and said,  “YOU ARE THE BEST SANTA EVER!”

It’s been a long time so I don’t remember what kind of transplant she needed. I don’t even know if I would know the  girl or her father if I were to see then again. But the story is true and it did happen once upon a Christmas at a “Santa And Me.”

I no longer work there.  I got married and it seems to have become a ”job.”  I know that times are tough and money is tight, but I just want everyone to remember that it’s the time of  year where miracles happen.

It happened  for that little girl so I know it can happen for anyone.

-Emma Schwartz

Time To Start Moving Again

Do you find yourself wanting, asking, and praying all the time?

I do.

Sometimes I want material things: I want a newer, fancier car. I want prettier clothes. I want a snazzy cell phone. I want….

Sometimes I want experiences.  I want a romantic date with my Handsome Hippie Hubby.  I want to sleep for 18 hours straight.  I want to travel. I want to spend a day at the zoo. I want…

I want all the time.  Every day.  All day long.

I want to write more, and better.  I want to learn how to play the piano.  I want another piece of cake.  I want coffee.  Ohhh….. I love coffee.  I want to be skinny.  I want to be strong.  I want to be a yoga master and post pictures of my strong skinny body in impossible positions on Facebook (Stephanie!).  I want to be an inspiration to other people who are fat and lazy but WANT to be skinny and strong.  I want to play outdoors with my children every day.  I want to invent a super fun way to teach multiplication to kids who struggle with math.  I want…

I want! I want! I want!

But…

Do I really want those things?

This morning I wanted to eat, so I made myself some breakfast.

I want to have a paycheck, so I went to work today.

I wanted to smell nice so I took a shower and washed with my favorite fancy soap.

Those are small examples, but they illustrate a larger point.  If I really want something, I go get it.  I find a way.   It doesn’t even occur to me to ask, “can I get it?” I just go get it.

So do I really want all those things I mentioned?

Well… I want to want them.  I feel like I should want them.  I recognize them as good/nice things to have/do/be.

Which ones do I want most?  I mean… would I rather have the second piece of cake or would I rather be skinny and strong and full of energy?  It’s not very probable that I can have both.  Life is full of choices.

I love the post, Advent Is About Desire, by Rev. James Martin.

He talks about distinguishing between passing whims and material fancies and the truest, deepest desires of our heart.

I find myself in a bit of a mental rut lately.  It’s not a bad state to be in.  Things are comfortable.  Everything is good.  I’m just plugging along. Day after day after day.  After day.  After day.

And how can I complain about that?

I can’t!  There is no crisis in our lives (beyond the usual bills and baby-up-all-night exhaustion and so forth).  Everything is peaceful.

There have been times of serious stress over the years, when I beg for days like these.  I pray and plead for rest, both physical and emotional.  These past few months have been a much needed rest.  I am thankful for them.  More than that;  I literally list my blessings every day, several times a day.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  Just to be clear, I don’t sit around wanting all the time.  I am very aware that my life is truly blessed.   I have SO MUCH.  And…

Well….

The thing is…..

I guess…..

It’s just that…..

I’m bored.

There!  I said it!  (SHHHHH!!! Don’t tell my kids.  I am forever lecturing them about what a terrible word that is and how boredom is a choice.) Judge me if you must.

But when faced with the question, “What do you really want?”  I’m a little stumped.

If a genie were to appear and grant me three wishes, I’m not quite sure what I’d wish for.

I think this Hippie Mama needs to take some time meditating and exploring her heart, praying and seeking God’s Will.   I need to find my next step and take it boldly.  I’ve been resting alongside the path long enough now.  I’m ready to go.  I’m ready to start moving again.  I’m just not sure which way to point myself.

Note to God/Source/The Universe/My subconscious/Whoever or Whatever makes such things happen:  I am NOT asking for a major crisis.  Just a gentle nudge will be fine.  Thank you.

So, now that I’ve (over?) shared all that, my question for you is, do you find yourself in this place every so often?

Please say yes.  It will make me feel so much better to know I’m not the only one.

Is there something you do to lift yourself out of a rut?  Or does life just come along and give you a push?

If you’re still with me, thank you for reading today’s entire long, rambling, stream-of-consciousness post.  Mostly I try to offer up helpful thoughts with my blog, but occasionally I use it for free therapy.

Theological Thursday – A Spirit of Thanksgiving and a Day of Sandy Poop

“Who me? Do that? No way. I’m a perfect little angel.”

Remember this post, in which I discuss my Little Hippie Baby’s wild side?

Or this one, where he got a bit too close to nature?

Well, I spent the whole day yesterday going from doctor’s office to hospital to pharmacy with my sweet little billy goat.

He’d been passing blood before he just stopped passing anything.  This disturbing development was followed by a total refusal to eat or drink anything at all.

Remembering that, about a week ago, we’d lost the AAA battery for the TV remote we were convinced that he’d eaten it.

The X-rays didn’t show any foreign objects, but there was definitely a blockage in his intestine.  The doctor gave us some tips to help him move things along and this morning he woke up with a diaper full of sand.  Horrible, horrible stinky sand.

We were at the beach… A MONTH ago.  

One friend said, “Apparently sand does not flow through the human body like it does through the hour glass? These are the days of our lives.”

Indeed!

What does any of this have to do with a spirit of thankfulness?

Well, James 1 chapter 1 tells us this:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the lord: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does…blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him….  Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like a shifting shadow. 

Understand that I love my children fiercely and wildly – with a capacity I never before knew I possessed.

But life with children is full of trials.

Life without children is full of trials.

Some days suck.

And it is so easy to get caught up in that.

My husband and I have a loved one in our lives that gets stuck in that cycle.  As soon as you say, “How have you been?” You can expect a litany of complaints and miseries.

“Oh,” he will answer. “You know.  They did cut backs at work again so there are less people doing more work and you know, those hours on my feet are no good for my back.  I had to get my prescription filled twice last month and my co-pay is $20.  That’s $40 I’ll never see again.  And, of course, we’ve all had the flu, just the same as every year at this time.  And now that it’s getting cold the battery on the car isn’t working right.  And……”

NEVER do you hear him give thanks.  He doesn’t ever say, “They did cut backs at work again.  I feel so blessed that I still have a job!”

But the Bible tells us that it is right and good to give our thanks.  Not only should we be thankful for our job, but we should be thankful for the days that test the very fiber of our being.  For it is in those times that we grow and become better people.

It is easy to be thankful for my family when we are all frolicking on the sunlit beach together.

It is more of a challenge to be thankful during a day of tests and appointments and worries and concerns over my child’s health.

But… aren’t those the days that really make me a better mom?  My kids can be pretty content on the beach all by themselves.  When they are hurting and I am the one who is strong and holding them through their tears… that is the moment I get to grow and have the privilege to give to them some portion of the Love that God gives to me.

I have heard so much complaining lately.  There is anger and bitterness over politics.  There are divides in the church.  There is fear and hurt and jealousy running rampant in our society.

As we’ve set aside this time of year for our time of Thanksgiving, I suggest we all stop our negative words dead in their tracks.  They have no place.  They are not productive.

Don’t sacrifice another moment of your life to them!

Instead, give thanks.

Give thanks for EVERY good gift.

Maybe you don’t have as much as this person or that, but you have something.

Do you have shoes? Do you have clothes? Shelter?  Food?  Do you have a church family? Do you have the right to vote? Do you have a strong mind? Do you have breath in your lungs?

Give thanks!

Do you have trials of every sort?

Give thanks for that, too.

EVERY good gift comes from God.

Start, right now, making a list of things you are thankful for.

I can tell you one that I know for sure:  you should be thankful you didn’t have to clean stinky, sandy poop-mud off another human’s butt today.

See? Don’t you feel better already?

 

 

I asked. I received!

So the other day I asked for some things, big and small.  They weren’t the kinds of things that would change the world… you know, not a cure for all disease or peace for all mankind, or a single day in which no one posts a raving political rant on Facebook.

They were just 3 things that have been on my heart.

That was Monday.

On Tuesday, we got a call from my mother-in-law.  She said (well… we heard) something like this:

“I have 4 days left on my timeshare near Orlando, Florida – next to Disney’s Wild Kingdom.  It’s for a freakishly huge 2 bedroom condo in a resort with a 12 acre water park and other fabulous stuff.  Oh! And some park-hopper tickets as well.  It all going to expire in October.  Would you like to use them? You can have them.  No point in all of it going to waste, since it’s already paid for.”

Uhm….. YES, PLEASE!

So, what do you know.  I asked, and I received.  And now….

Image from 4share.com

 

Only 5 1/2 weeks until my family gets to enjoy our first real vacation EVER, in all the years we’ve been together.

This is the lazy river at our hotel… where we’ll be floating when our feet get tired.

I can’t remember ever seeing Handsome Hippie Hubby so excited!

Sweet Hippie Daughter is beside herself.  Did I mention that she’ll be celebrating her 8th birthday AT DISNEY WORLD?

Look! Even the Disney Characters are excited that we are coming!

Little Hippie Baby is totally oblivious but… you know… as long as there is food he’ll be happy.

Me?

I am bursting with gratitude!  I am truly blessed beyond all measure.

I am amazed at the way that God works.

I felt a message on my heart that I should ask for what I want.

I asked for something.

It came to me from someone who has no idea I ever asked.  She doesn’t read my blog, or even know I write it (I don’t think).

Would it have come if I hadn’t asked in the first place?

I will never know.  But I do know that the next time I feel like I’m being given a message I will pay attention!

BTW – I know this is supposed to be Theological Thursday but I was too excited about this to be deep and philosophical.

Consider, though, that the very term, “ask and you shall receive,” comes from the Bible.  As does the verse I referenced in the asking post: “You have not received because you have not asked God.”

Do I think that God gives you every single thing you ever think you want?

No….  but that’s a whole post for another day.

For today, I just wanted to share (in case you missed it):  

WE’RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!

image from orlando-dailyphoto.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Super Saturday Extra Bonus Post – 100 Things

“Look, Mama! I’m a Spanish-speaking Polish Robot!” (See #66)

I have a lovely, relaxed morning for the first time in…. I have no idea how long.  Too long.  So I decided to take this opportunity to take my own advice and make a list of 100 things I’m feeling thankful for this morning.

I hope these things inspire you to feel thankful too.  I truly believe that gratitude for our many blessings, big and small,  is a huge part of the path to true happiness.

Saying thank you is more than good manners.  It is good spirituality. 

~Alfred Painter

1. I’m thankful for quiet mornings at home.

2. I’m thankful that everyone in my house is healthy today.

3. I’m thankful that the baby slept all night (meaning, “I’m thankful that I slept all night”).

4. I’m thankful that VBS was a success.

5. I’m thankful for a husband who is truly wonderful.

6. I’m thankful for my Kindle Fire, which allows me to lay on the couch like a slug and check Facebook while watching the morning re-cap of the Olympics.

7. I’m thankful for the most comfy sofa in the universe.

8. I’m thankful for air conditioning.

9. I’m thankful for my best friend, who has never EVER not been there for me.

10. I’m thankful for my big sisters – strong, beautiful, intelligent, witty women who have always been an inspiration to me.

11.  I’m thankful for my parents, who gave me more than I will ever know.

12. I’m thankful for coffee.  Mmmm.  Coffee.

13. I’m thankful for a washer and dryer, right here in my house.

14. I’m thankful for a church family that has shown us extraordinary love and acceptance.

15. I’m thankful for my neighbors who are unfailingly kind and generous.

16. I’m thankful for my dog… and I’m thankful to live in a world where there are dogs.  I can’t imagine one without.

17. I’m thankful for the internet.

18. I’m thankful that Meijer sells Organic food at reasonable prices.

19.  I’m thankful that we had a nice, fresh loaf of my favorite bread to make toast with this morning.

20. I’m thankful for soft toilet paper.

21. I’m thankful to live in a country where I’m free to share the random things I’m thankful for.

22. I’m thankful for all the people who have taught me about God and His Infinite Love and Grace.

23. I’m thankful for people who leave my husband good tips.

24. I’m thankful for great music.

25. I’m thankful for my glasses, so I can see the world around me.

26. I’m thankful for my awesomely cozy bed, & the most comfortable blanket in the universe.

27. I’m thankful for Econobums – cheap, sturdy, leak-proof, eco-friendly cloth diapers.

28. I’m thankful for my refrigerator.

29. I’m thankful for 2 cars, both working well at the moment.

30. I’m thankful for happy surprises that come in the mail.

31. I’m thankful for purple nail polish. It makes me feel happy.

32. I’m thankful for the women who are mentoring and advising me about being a good home school mom.

33. I’m thankful for supportive bras.

34. I’m thankful for Ibuprofen.

35. I’m thankful for Tahmina Kohistani and other extraordinary women like her, who inspire me to do more… to be more.

36. I’m thankful for my dishwasher.

37. I’m thankful for good sneakers.

38. I’m thankful for my computer.

39. I’m thankful for http://www.freecycle.org and the people who take the time to run it.

40. I’m thankful for fresh produce, brought to me by random people with an over-abundance in their gardens (especially since I seem to have a bit of a “black thumb.”).

41. I’m thankful for the Goodwill – takers of stuff I no longer want and sellers of stuff I’d not otherwise be able to afford.

42. I’m thankful for photographs of past events in my life.

43. I’m thankful for soldiers, police officers and others who put themselves in harm’s way that I may be safe.

44. I’m thankful to live in a community where a major crime is someone getting “drunk and disorderly.”

45. I’m thankful I’ve never been arrested for being “drunk and disorderly.”

46. I’m thankful for my mom’s chocolate chip cookie recipe & her willingness to share it with me.

47. I’m thankful that there are only 169 more days until Christmas.

48. I’m thankful for the people who made it possible for me to travel to other countries (I’ve always gone with a group or at someone’s invitation… maybe someday I’ll trek off on my own).

49. I’m thankful for people who take the time to be educated before they vote.

50. I’m thankful for the teachers I’ve had in my life.

51. I’m thankful for midwives, chiropractors, homeopaths, and others who are working to educate all of us on how to heal ourselves.

52. I’m thankful for traditional doctors who know what to do when nature needs a little help.

53. I’m thankful for disposable baby wipes.

54. I’m thankful for my attic – home of stuff I don’t feel like sorting through and putting away right now.

55. I’m thankful to live in a home with clean running water.

56. I’m thankful for pizza.

57. I’m thankful for books.

58. I’m thankful to my local public library and the folks whose time & resources keep it open.

59. I’m thankful that my daughter is old enough to use the toilet by herself and get her own drinks.

60. I’m thankful for those little historical signs on roadsides… so often I would miss out on noticing a really cool old building if they weren’t there.

61. I’m thankful that the hottest part of summer is over.  Theoretically.

62. I’m thankful for our friends who let us swim in their pool.

63. I’m thankful for laughter.

64. I’m thankful for the physical and mental ability to read.

65. I’m thankful for people who are strongly left-brained, as I’d be sitting in a cave painting pretty pictures with berry juice if not for them.

66. I’m thankful for my children, sharing their imaginations with me.

67. I’m thankful for bloggers, who challenge me to think, give me reasons to laugh, explain things I’ve never before understood, and more.

68. I’m thankful to live in a place where paper is cheap and abundant.

69. I’m thankful for free children’s activities.

70. I’m thankful for McDonald’s Indoor Playland.

71. I’m thankful for the gift of prayer.

72. I’m thankful for instant streaming video.

73. I’m thankful for 2nd chances. And 3rd and 4th and 5th.  I screw up a lot.

74. I’m thankful for organized people, without whom I’d…. (see #65)

75. I’m thankful for spell check.  It makes me look smarter than I am.

76. I’m thankful for colorful socks.  They make my soles and my soul feel good.

77. I’m thankful for my bathtub.

78. I’m thankful for the lack of mosquitoes this summer.

79.  I’m thankful for honeybees and all the good things they do.

80. I’m thankful for cats.  They amuse me.

81. I’m thankful for parks, big and small.

82. I’m thankful for people who make documentaries. How else would I ever know about things like fish that look like rocks and bugs that build houses out of poo?

83. I’m thankful for nuns.  Those strong women, bolstered by their huge faith, have been on the forefront of more battles than most folks realize.

84. I’m thankful for farmers.

85. I’m thankful for tortillas.

86. I’m thankful for people who have more passion than me.  (Again, refer to #65).

87. I’m thankful to live where there is no fear of tsunami, earthquake or hurricane.

88. I’m thankful for the people who plow the roads after the snow falls.

89. I’m thankful for electricity that very rarely fails.

90. I’m thankful for carpet, through which I can squish my toes while I type.

91. I’m thankful for small businesses and all they bring to communities like mine.

92. I’m thankful for my big chef’s knife and giant cutting board.

93. I’m thankful for the local gas station – the only one I know of that still lets you pump before you pay.

94. I’m thankful for good smelling candles.

95. I’m thankful for old people, and all the wisdom they share.

96. I’m thankful for the Amish. I just like knowing that I share a planet with people like them.

97. I’m thankful for bubble gum.

98. I’m thankful for gigantic comfy sweaters.

99. I’m thankful for bubbles, and the fact that they are cheap.

100. I’m thankful for people who read my blog.

Fast Friday – 10 Things To Do, This Weekend, To Make The World A Better Place

Photo from LOlsnaps.com

1.  Bake a special tasty treat for an elderly neighbor and go deliver it.  Stay long enough to visit.

2. Plant a tree.

3. Go shopping in a small, privately-owned, local business.

4. Pick up the litter on your street.

5. Mail a check to the charity of your choice.

6. Send a thank you note to someone who volunteers in your community.

7. Spend 30 minutes having a “who can be silliest?” contest with a child in your life.

8. Make a list of 100 things, big and small, you are thankful for.

9. Tell someone, “I’m sorry,” and mean it.

10. Save energy.  BBQ.  Invite a friend that you haven’t seen in far too long to join you.

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.

Richard Bach

Enjoy your weekend! See you next time.