Thoughtful Thursday

I've been thinking a lot lately about the things I've been through in the past couple years. I've had moments I felt on top of the world and months I thought I'd never smile again. Life has thrown some sharp curves at me, but I'm still standing and I think I'm finally figuring out why. It's all about attitude.

I don't think that happiness is based on what you have or even what happens to you. It's how you handle and react to those things that determines your happiness. It's accepting that not every day is going to be a bowl of ice cream and not every chapter of your life will be from a fairytale.

Maybe it's the bump growing in my midsection, or maybe it's the thermometer hitting 48 in January that's got me on cloud 9, but I have been one happy girl lately even with the raging hormones. I was complaining about something at work today and then I stopped myself mid-sentence and said, "Why am I even complaining? I don't even care. I love my job and it really doesn't matter." I was done complaining about that insignificant detail from yesterday's staff meeting. I do love my job - there's something about getting up every day and sitting in a classroom full of 2 year olds who say the most HILARIOUS things, being welcomed into people's homes by little voices screaming, "Teacher Grace is here!" and seeing the difference I'm making in their lives, and laughing all day long with the awesome ladies I work with that makes getting up in the morning a breeze. Some days my job sucks. If your job doesn't ever suck - you might want to do some evaluating and make sure you're actually doing your job.

I remember a time last year when I thought, "Is this really the rest of my life?" I was going through a very difficult family situation, I hated my job, I was grieving the loss of a best friend, we had no friends in this town, and I was very homesick for family, friends, and college. I had a lot of good things going for me - the most significant being a husband who stood by my side when my world was crumbling to pieces. Yet, I was just down in the dumps and it was no good for anyone.

I realized then these three things were missing from my life: Prayer, Laughter, and a Positive Attitude. All 3 of those things are now a SIGNIFICANT part of my life - I don't go a day without praying, laughing, or looking in the mirror and smiling. Yes, even on a bad hair day .. I look in the mirror and smile. I smile because I see a person who has taken some really horrible situations and used them to become a stronger woman. A woman who can't wait to take on the world, follow her dreams, be a best friend, and put my trust in God. I'm not perfect - far from - and my life is far from perfect, too, but it's the only life I've got and I choose not to waste it frowning.

I'm not saying every day of my life is great - and every day of yours won't be either .. you will get sick, people will let you down, and you will have to work to get what you want. Don't pretend your life is perfect because you're not fooling anyone but yourself. Cry when you need to, fall apart, and admit things just suck. But just try smiling in the mirror sometimes. Try waking up and counting your blessings. Try having a little faith...your shoulders will be less tired if you stop carrying the weight of the world. Try thinking, "Today will be a good day" instead of complaining and dreading all the work ahead of you. Be thankful for the life that was given to you, that you are able to do the things you do, and that there is no one else in this world just like you. No matter what, believe in miracles -- because if you don't, what's the point in believing in anything?

XOXO