Being not smart

When I was growing up, I thought shingles were on the roof of the house. I since have come to know that they are also uncomfortable pock marks that appear on your body and cause a high degree of discomfort. I wish I didn't have this first hand knowledge and have it repeatedly. The Rx is so expensive. They have a vaccine that is affordable if you can make it a year without an outbreak. As of this week I'm counting down again. Wish I weren't so smart on this subject.

Help! I'm addicted!

To swim suits that is. I have a bunch waiting and hanging ready to wear but as soon as I hear there are some on clearance I have to go and see what they have. I don't look that great in them, I guess I'm afraid I'll wear them all out in water aerobics class and not be able to go. You know I could even sew one, but the draw is so strong ... humph what to do? Well, go shopping of course!

Baby's names

Have you noticed the names people are naming their babies today? I embroidered a baby blanket today for a....."Gunther". Tell me when you look at the beautiful new little baby does he look like a GUNTHER? I sew for lots of different people and the names I come across...well somebody might read this whose name I would include so...I'm sure you've come across a few yourself. Admit it. One school I went to I couldn't spell one name. I think you are giving your child either a burden or a help by how you choose to identify them.

Walking on the Sunny Side

I was reading an article about raising a child who loves life. I was wondering if some of the same ideas could be used to be a happy adult. In a word, yes. Here are a few things I gleaned from it that I thought might be useful to me. The first and fairly easy to do, is have a strong sense of authentic gratitude and appreciate what the world offers free of charge. Lead the way by simply stopping what you're doing and express thanks for the moment. "Gratefuls" at bedtime, take a moment to reflect on the things you have to be grateful for every night.
Secondly, be a good listener without passing judgement.
Having a routine? I wondered about this with adults we seem to like adventure and variation in routine. However, there is a certain sense of security that comes from knowing things are a certain way and will be that way.
Failure...handling stress or disappointments, admitting mistakes, and changing direction are some of the most crucial skills for living a happy life. So we will not be successful at everything...kind of makes it possible to "Be Happy Without Being Perfect".
Whew, that is good to know cause perfection is not around the corner it is several miles away, but I can be happy and whistling as I stroll down the sunny (or shady) side of the street.

Be Kind, Be Gentle

My girls are familiar with this saying. They grew up with a large picture of Jesus Christ stuck on the refrigerator with this saying next to it "BE KIND, BE GENTLE". Today some special letters were read in RS, from a husband to his wife and family. He counselled then to be kind and to be gentle. Even as his life was in peril he advised his family to be kind and gentle to one another. What a wonderful example of how we should speak and act in our families. Family members pray for, comfort and strengthen one another. It is nice to know that someone else cares about us no matter what is going on around us. "Tongue cannot express the gratitude of my heart, for the warm and true-hearted friendship you have manifested in these things towards me."
Tender and beautiful words of the heart and important lessons for all in relationships. I am grateful for my family relationships and I intend to follow my advise I gave to my children, Be Kind, Be Gentle.

Birthdays

I went to my grandson's birthday party this morning. What fun! Construction party with a bunch of three year olds. :) It was very cute and it looked like they had fun. When do birthdays take on a different tone?

The Roof, The Roof, The Roof is on Fire!

I was reading an article this week. The woman was describing packing to evacuate her home and some of the stupid choices she made in the spur of the moment and not thinking clear. This, of course, started me thinking. So I pose the question, "what five personal items will make it out of danger with you?". No cheating, your children and spouse all are in the safe zone. "What five things are the most important THINGS you want to have with you and you couldn't stand if they were destroyed?"

My roof nor my house is on fire. But if they were, I'd like to think I might have given some thought to the process. So you ask, "what were my five things?" I'm still working on that. Like I said it just started me thinking, it's a process.

Peacegiver

I recently read a book, "The Peacegiver". I learned a lot. It is an excellent book about the atonement of Christ and how it can help us in our human relationships. Remember the person you are sitting next to is a child of God, the person that was rude to you at the store is a child of God, and the person you are mad at is a child of God. They are afforded the same forgiveness and acceptance as you are. If you hold the rod higher for them, then it will be higher for you.

This I think was the book that started the beginning my quest for a smiley attitude. THE QUEST, it is just that a work in progress. Well the book, and of course water aerobics. :)

Gratitude Attitude

Did you thank that person that gave the door a little extra shove for you to get through without getting a door in the face?
Do you thank your spouse for taking out the trash or getting the mail?
Do you thank your brother or sister for calling to check on you?
Do you take time to thank Heavenly Father for all you have? temporally? spiritually?
Do you every reflect on your life now as compared to 5 years ago? 10 years ago?
Have you ever said thank you too much?

I don't believe that can happen. If you look around you, even on bad days there are things to be grateful for. "Even if all you can say is, it could be worse". No matter how bad things look, it could be worse.

Rather than say it could be worse take the positive approach and be grateful for a bed, a roof, a meal, a job you don't care for (at least you have one). How about a tampon...now there is something to be grateful for. Be grateful to someone, anyone that helps you. People need to know they are appreciated, that what they do matters.

Remember life isn't "all about you". It is about your relationahips with others and how you treat them. It is easy to be nice and helpful to wonderful, warm fuzzies. The test comes when the fuzzies turn a little prickly. Can I still love and appreciate a cactus? If you don't what happens to the fuzzy within?

Be grateful, be helpful, be caring, be sharing, be good, be kind, be gentle,be humble, be smart, be prayerful, be like Christ.

Most of all BE GRATEFUL! Things look better from that side.

Be Bold

Be a bold force for good in the world!

When life is tearing you down, wearing you out, and stressing you out, and you are asking yourself what you should do, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

I took a few notes this weekend.

1. Avoid contention.
2. Don't judge others, you don't know their lives and challenges.
3. Be kind, be gentle.
4. Be meek, be loving, be humble.
5. Help the poor and lonely among us, there are many.
6. Be slow to take offense.
7. Have respect for others.
8. Christian courage is sometimes saying nothing.
9. Taking the high ground is safe ground.
10. Forgive those who trespass against us

I repeat be a bold force for good in the world!

Eeyore or Tigger

Are you an Eeyore or Tigger? Cheer Bear or Grumpy Bear? Angry, pessimist or optimist? That's what I'm talkin' about.

I would much rather be happy about things than to be grumpy. Life is so short and challenges are just that, challenges. Even if things are difficult to do or deal with they are much easier faced with a positive attitude and a smile.

Things I've found that help: exercise, fake it til I make it, not being afraid of failure (learning is good through success or failure), and yes even buying me a "treat" once in awhile. In this day of stress and turmoil, we can have inner peace and a Happy day.

Don't worry be happy! A little cliche but good advice.

Eeyore or Tigger