It breaks my heart to see so much strife in this life. People driving into washed out roads and a teenager killed...an 8 year old boy, walking home from day camp, killed and dismembered...and health problems...and emotional upsets....and more marriage problems and divorces. Why can't we all just be ok? Why can't we all just get along? Why are these bodies temporary and falling apart?
Some days the only things that pull me through the sadness and depression of life are the little happy things I find around me...my quilting class, block of the month; taking a grandson to a splash pad and watching him make new friends; the sun on my face; two roosters in the neighborhood that wake me up each morning at 4:00 am; the flowers on my porch; my grandbabies, O how I love them; my children, they inspire me; Luke Peterson's farm open for business; people that recognize me because of my kids; and music and stories and scenery that touches my heart and soul.
I organized all my paperwork. It only took all day Saturday last week and part of this week, but it is done. I loved the surprises I found as I went through it. Dated memories. Poems from my children and one in particular from Kateka. Coupon book of service from Tazia. Letters from my missionary boy Travis. Pictures of Makayla and jj just after they were married at Christmastime, they just glowed. I finally have all my paperwork in one filing cabinet in my closet. Even just getting one part of my life organized makes me happy.
So I guess the message of this blog is that through all the trials, and misery that we face as mortals, there is still so much to enjoy and be happy about. Generally it is the small things that make us feel ok again. I am back to coming up with a happy thought each day. This was an emotional survival technique that me and the kids came up with at a point in our lives when we were so sad after the emotional earthquake in our lives. It was amazing to me how well it worked! In fact, one of the papers that I found while going through paperwork was from Kateka, and it said, "Here is your happy thought for the day" and it was something about getting together after school, after work. Just the smallest things can make such a difference. Sometimes that small thing is something you do for someone else to lighten and brighten their day. My dad always used to tell me that "Happiness is a by-product of things you do for others." Thanks dad.
Sometimes happiness is a byproduct of taking the time to notice the little things that make a big difference.
3 comments:
What poem? I am calling you now to find out. Ah, yes. That one. You are a reminder to me always that there is a silver lining to every dark cloud. Seriously, I mean that. You show me that happiness is still there among all the sad. Sometimes it's hard to find, but it IS there.
I needed this today. Thanks! Can't wait to see you Saturday, I just LOVE crafting with you!
Oh man, can I just tell you that this is exactly what I needed to hear right now. I have a hard time every day, every moment I'm at work, because I get so stressed, my hand hurts, I hate customers...etc. All I need is a happy thought to pull me through each day and get me through each hour. Thank you so much for this, I love you.
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