Come What May & Love It

             "How we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy or successful we can be.  If we approach adversity wisely, in our hardest times, it can be our greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness." (Joseph B. Wirthlin)

Sometimes I think it just helps to be reminded to learn from our troubles, to stop and smell the roses, to not take ourselves so seriously, to not take offense, to count our blessings and to follow the admonition of Paul and give thanks in all things. 

Sometimes we just need to be grateful.

Perspective

Times are tough right now...for everybody...I realize that.  The last couple of weeks have been particularly harsh for our family.  I won't bore you with the details...besides which this is a gratitude blog where I focus on the positive!

Scott got off work early yesterday to come home and spend some time with me simply because he knew that I have been especially stressed.  Some times you just need to take a moment and find your perspective.  That is what we did.  We went for a drive and eventually ended up at the beach.  There was an incredible rip-tide and wave action going on after a couple days of a tropical depression in the area.  It was a good afternoon of just watching and listening to the waves, feeling my toes in the sand and breathing in the salt air.  It is truly a Salt Life.   I am grateful for a wonderful husband who understands, or at least tries.  I am grateful to have taken an afternoon and found some perspective.

Canopy

It's the Little Things

Some days it's just the little things that make you happy.  Today I didn't have time to shave my legs...no biggie....but tonight as I was getting into bed my prickly legs were really bugging me!  BUT it's late....after 1am....I'm tired (or just too lazy) to hop in the shower to shave...so I did something I haven't done in a long time.  I sat on the bathroom counter and shaved my legs in the sink.  Now, I have smooth, lotioned (is that a word?  who cares it's 1:30am!) legs and I am a grateful, happy camper!

Life is a Rollercoaster...

...and sometimes you just want to get off and stop for a bit.  Let your stomach settle, get your feet back under you, before you jump back on again.  

Aahh, but that is not what life is all about.  You twist and spin, you feel like you're going to vomit...sometimes you do--and you just pray you don't hit anyone nearby with it and share your grief.  It's these times that we see what we are made of.  Do we close our eyes and groan for the rest of the ride?  Or do we take a deep breath, say a little prayer...and then say to the world "Bring it on baby!"

Yeah, we all need to close our eyes and groan for a moment...but then we need to open our eyes again, with gratitude that we are even here on the ride, and enjoy the rest of the journey.  The view from the top is something to see.