Sunday, January 9, 2011

*

* Reminder to self:  Strength is an attitude that builds upon itself.  If I want to be strong physically, then I must have the strength to actively seek it. The same goes for believing in myself and my own worth as a person.  Don't fall into the trap of lethargy.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Happy Days

You know, sometimes you wake up and you just know that this is going to be a good day. The worries of the day or night before don't seem so worrisome and the challenges don't seem so daunting.  Looking ahead holds promise, not dread. Self-doubt takes a back seat to a feeling of confidence that this will be a day of accomplishment.

I have always tried to live in the moment, trying not to always look forward to some specific time or event.  For the most part, I have been successful with that and it has helped to make me a happy, contented person.  Being a teacher, there is a great temptation to looking forward to holidays... long weekends.... SUMMER!  But honestly, I rarely did that.  Loving where you are has a major impact on how you interact with others.  That is not to say that you shouldn't plan ahead and make changes.  No, just that it is hard to have a positive outlook on life if all you can think about is stuff that is "around the corner," so to speak. And I have always wanted to impact those around me in a positive way, especially my family.

My worries about my immediate family have lessened a little. Jenny and Tim are taking more time for themselves.  I think they have turned a corner in their relationships with other family members and with each other.  This is due in great part to how they dealt with the loss of Linda, Tim's mother.  I am so proud of them both.  The nagging issues I have worried about the most, have softened as I have seen them come through one of the hardest situations one deals with in life.  Drew is also in a better place than he was just a few months ago.  He is happy with his job; has friends and co-workers that he enjoys; and can see light at the end of the financial tunnel.  As we have talked and shared our concerns and feelings about his separation, Patrick, and starting over, I see the promise of the man he can be shining in the man that he is.

Then there is us... the us that is a couple, parents, grandparents, and retirees!  As individuals we are dealing with a drastic change in our everyday life. Routines that kept our lives in order are being reworked. We stumble and occasionally we fall, but thankfully we both have a sense of humor!  We are more excited about the future than we are fearful. It is true that growing old isn't for sissies!  But all things considered, although we are treasuring our memories, we are so looking forward to making more of them.  Life goes on and we want to make the most of it.

So, there it is.  A kind of day that brings a promise of happiness and a future is what I strive to have every day.  Do I always succeed?  Of course not.  Does it matter that I try?  I believe it does.