06 November 2010

Choose Joy

They happen to everyone. Why should I (or anyone else) be an exception to that rule? Sometimes life really sucks. It sucks bad. Babies die, kids are molested, people are raped, beaten, tortured. There are natural disasters, marriages dissolve, cancer eats away at flesh and bone, mental illness twists our minds, eating disorders, panic disorders, sexual disorders - you name it, bad stuff happens. To everyone. EVERYONE.
It's an inescapable fact of life.

But good stuff happens too. And if I'm too busy wallowing in the bad stuff, I'm gonna miss it. If I stuff down those bad experiences away with crappy food, I"m not going to be in any shape to enjoy the good stuff. Being a healthy size won't make my life perfect, but it will help me take advantage of the little glimpses of perfection I am shown. And they are EVERYWHERE. A little child smiling and greeting a new friend, an older child appreciating the cuteness of a baby, old friends finding happiness in themselves after many years, sisters who were born to other parents standing by you when things aren't perfect. Laughter, family game night, fun restaurants, Ohio sunsets, bloggy friends who "get it" and jamming to the newest Taylor Swift CD in your tween kid.

There's good and bad all around us. It's our choice what to focus on. If we focus on the negative and are needy and clingy and sponges that suck the life out of others . . . we will end up old and alone for sure. However, if you can find the JOY in life every day - even if it's something really small like hearing birdsong - if you can find that happiness, and share it and wear it on your smile . . . that's when you'll finally feel a little more successful, a little less hopeless. And when that happiness starts oozing out of you, people will be drawn to you like you wouldn't believe.

Now, I have to go stuff down some joy so nobody bothers me for a while, but I wanted to dribble a little out there today because know what? This time of year is really rough!

Don't forget to change your clocks!

7 comments:

  1. We don't change our clocks, here. Neener-neener! :P

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  2. Big Amen from me! There is too little time in this life to wallow in the misery... Thanks for sharing!
    ~Margene

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  3. Thanks for reminding be about the clocks I had forgot. I think I might also get out tomorrow and see if I can find me some joy. Thanks,

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  4. Yes, we have to look on the bright side! Thanks for the reminder. BTW: I received that great book yesterday, Lanie. Thanks so much!! It will be my travel companion as I head to Spain to see students. Michele

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  5. I'm having a really bad time right now myself, and yesterday, I stuffed it down with a binge. I feel horrible. Sick.

    So I know what you're talking about.

    And it's kicking my butt right now.

    Vee at http://veegettinghealthy.blogspot.com

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  6. finally - someone else who thinks like me! (but expresses it so much better)

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