}Wistful Wednesday{An Attitude of Gratitude

Each year, as we head into the holiday season, we are often encouraged to take stock of what we are grateful for. It is a good opportunity for us to do an emotional house cleaning and put some things in perspective. Although this is a grand tradition, personally, I believe we shouldn't relegate this to one day of the year - or even one month. I think this is something we should do on a daily basis. Each night, before we go to bed, we should take a little time to express our gratitude for the blessings we received that day.

The blessings may be small - such as having a sick-free day - or the blessings may be grand - such as getting a raise or a new car. Or they may be something somewhere in between. Whatever they are, the blessings are there, making each day bearable, a prelude to the next. With all of the strife that is facing our country now, all of the added burdens we deal with every day, it so much more important than ever to have an attitude of gratitude.

So what am I grateful for?

1. I am grateful for the fact that, despite my own health issues, I am still well enough to take care of my family. I'm still there for my mother, who has no other means to run her own errands and get to her doctors' appointments. I am there for my younger daughter, who has her own issues and needs to see a variety of professionals to help her with them. I am there for my older daughter, who needs me to go get her from college as she doesn't have her own car yet, and who sometimes, just needs to talk to Mom. And I am there for my siblings, who sometimes just need to talk to someone about their own issues.

2. I am grateful for the fact that I have a roof over my head and the means to keep it there. Whenever I watch the news and see reports of people losing their homes, I remember a time when I was in that position and wondered when - or if - I would ever have a place to call my own again.

3. I am grateful for the fact that I have such a loving and supportive family, and that if I need them, they are only a phone call away.

4. And I'm grateful for the fact that I have a great network of friends, especially my Moonlight ladies, Carrie and Gracen, who make me smile, get me to think, and support me as I pursue this crazy thing called writing. I am so grateful that I can send them an email about anything at any time and they will always have a response for me. They are always there to make me feel better when I face disappointment, encourage me when I try something new - and take me to task when I keep them waiting on a writing resolution. (Yeah, I know I've probably said all of this before in another post, but it bears repeating.) My life has just been so much better for knowing them, so much richer. Everyone should have friends like these ladies.

5. Of course, it goes without saying that I am grateful for every person who takes the time to read this blog, guest blogs I have done, and stories I have written, but I will say it anyway. I am grateful for my readers.

So as you get ready for work today and for the holiday next week, take a moment to remember what you are grateful for. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and it will make life so much easier to bear. I know it does for me. ~ Margay

A Hodgepodge of Distraction

Today is a hodgepodge of topics, things currently on my mind, either driving me insane or just life in general.

FAMILY

For my family today is the first day of summer break! And things are crazy already. *laughs* Does it ever slow down? When I’m dead maybe, but I have doubts death will be slow. *grins* Death will probably be a series of rollercoaster rides all designed to speed up the reincarnation process. If one believes in rebirth anyway.

This past Thursday my oldest son graduated from elementary school and is now officially a Middle Schooler. Wow! Where did the time go? My baby is becoming a little man. And at eleven, that little man is almost as tall as I am. Of course since I’m vertically challenged, that’s not saying a whole lot. *wink*

And the colossal attitude of the “tween years” is starting to get him into a lot of trouble at home. From the back talking to the attitude, I’m wondering if any of us will survive the ups and downs of hormones. My once sweet, easy child can go from docile to monsterish in .01 seconds flat. It’s amazing. Truly! But equally frustrating.

WRITING

Did I say I enjoyed writing? Well, I lied! This week I have hated it with a vengeance. My muse has gone on strike, or maybe taken a hiatus for summer break. Damnation! *stomps foot dramatically and childishly, then pleads in desperate whiny voice* Please come back!

My writing is worse than stalled…it’s obsolete and has left me frustrated and wanting to bang my head against the wall. Grrr…I need the act of writing to keep me somewhat sane and normal. While that may sound crazy, when I’m writing I am in a much better mood compared to when I’m not. So writing affects my moods, as does the non-writing hiatuses.

Hopefully, now that school is over I’ll be able to concentrate on my writing, but doubtful. I tend to do less writing during the summer because the kids are home. And my husband starts his two week vacation today! Joy! Awesome! Super! That’s means lots of writing, right? ACK! That means little to NO writing. *whimpers*

DIETING AND EXERCISE

Okay, so after my heart monitor thingy, I decided I really needed to get serious about my heart health. In all honesty, I just don’t want to hear my cardiologist fuss at me anymore. Does that sound strange? I didn’t like hearing, ‘you’ve gained this much weight since last year’. No, kidding! I have scales. And if I didn’t, my clothes are dutiful in telling me when I’ve added a few pounds. *rolls eyes* They’re so rude! So, anyway, I’ve lost a whopping 2 pounds in three weeks! *cheers, then bangs head against the wall* Why does losing weight have to be so difficult while gaining it is as easy as eating pie, chocolate, chips, nuts, burgers…yeah, you get the picture?

And so with that, I’ll leave you to a good Friday and hopefully an awesome weekend.