Hello, and happy Friday!
Google funds all teachers requests in LA. from donorschoose.org.
Veterans are being trained to be America’s next farmers.
Janitor uses breaks to play piano for hospital visitors.
6 year old explains the meaning of life. Seriously. She gets it.
Have a great day!
Truth. Attitude is everything.
On Fridays, I post positive news stories. I’m tired of seeing the depressing and darks, so I decided to be an agent of change.
I’m also proposing that those of you who read my blog take a moment on Fridays to give a positive shout out, in the same way people do Throwback Thursday. Take a moment to post something positive on someone else’s wall, share positive news, or share a happy memory.
So, here’s some of this week’s news:
$225 million is being devoted to protecting the Amazon rainforest for the next 25 years!
A boy with autism confronts his bullies and makes new friends.
Staff and students raise money so a high school janitor can see his son.
Man follows through on promise he made his father when he was 8.
We all know bad things happen in the world, but why focus on them? There are so many good people in this world. I believe in putting my energy into what I want, not what I don’t. So go out and share the good news today.
“Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure.” -Norman Vincent Peale
Finding the negative is easy. When I come home, and the dishes are piled in the sink, I notice that right away. But if they’re put away or in the dishwasher, my eyes will skim over it, and it won’t register, because that’s the way it’s “supposed to” be.
In the same way, it’s easy to overlook when things are going well in life, when we’re getting along with friends and relatives, because it’s easy, and that’s what we hope and expect.
Recently, a friend of mine had two of his friends die unexpectedly in one week, and it got me to thinking about gratitude, and how easy it is to take loved one for granted.
Our loved ones annoy us. My husband is no housekeeper, but he can be sweet and funny. I’ll bet it would be easier to find a man who’d put his dishes away than one who listens… it’s all about being grateful for what you have, and noticing the positives. He’s not suddenly going to become super-housekeeper, but that’s okay.
On a related note, I know that most people begging for money are going to use that money to buy alcohol or drugs. I know this because of the work I do, so I don’t usually give them money. Maybe food, if I have it. My husband and I were at a gas station out in the ‘burbs, and a man came to us with a story about how he was stranded and needed gas money. I didn’t give him money, because at this point, I figure everyone is running game. The hubby said “I would have given him a few bucks if I had it, but my wallet’s empty.” I went on my usual rant about how he’s probably lying, and my husband shrugged and replied, “Well, I know. But what if he isn’t? It’s only a couple dollars.”
I don’t feel that it’s whether I do or don’t give out money that’s the problem, but my attitude is wrong. I’m looking for the negative, and when I do that, I’m likely to find it. It’s wrong to make assumptions about people, even if it is based on experience. Because really, at the end of the day, what would it have hurt me to assume the man was telling the truth instead of defaulting to “he’s running game”?
It’s better to look for and expect the positive. The negative is still going to be there, but I don’t have to give it my energy.
I know some people don’t really care for the rain, but I love it. Some people don’t like going out in the rain, but I don’t mind getting wet, especially if it’s not cold out.
The other night, my friend and I were out walking, and it started spitting a little bit. We decided to continue walking. Most days we do three or four miles, and we were at our halfway point when the sky opened up. I didn’t mind the rain so much, but it really stung my skin. It came down hard!
I predicted that it would stop raining as I got home, and as expected, a half mile from home, it stopped. I honestly didn’t mind though. It was 97 degrees out, so the rain felt really good. Some of the best times I’ve ever had have been in the rain.
Once, a friend and I were playing miniature golf, and an unexpected thunderstorm hit. Instead of taking cover, I took off my shoes and we played through. The cashier probably thought we were nuts, and to be honest, metal golf clubs, an exposed area, and lightning probably wasn’t the safest combination… but it was most fun I’ve ever had playing miniature golf! If not for the storm, I probably would have long since forgotten that game.
Another time, a friend and I went to the Renaissance Fair. It was about 65 degrees and pouring. We didn’t have an umbrella or jackets, and we were both freezing and wet all day. We got good deals though, had mud up to our ankles, and laughed all day.
Life is all about attitude. You can dance in the rain or run for cover, but either way, you’re probably going to get wet.
For the month of April, I’m going to be playing a fun new game suggested by Blogging A to Z. Basically, my blog entries will be themed by the corresponding letter of the alphabet, not counting Sundays (those will still be TV Guy posts). So without further ado, onto the meat of the post.
I’m not usually much of a magazine reader, but I was recently at work for court and picked up Glamour because there was an article on Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss in the Hunger Games. I got dismissed before I finished it, and I had to run out and buy the magazine because I wanted to finish reading.
Jennifer Lawrence has the coolest attitude toward everything. I believe that attitude creates your reality, so I prefer to be around and read about people with positive, kick ass attitudes. She fits that bill. To the haters who criticize her weight (they say she’s too fat), she says that she can’t work hungry and has no desire to look anorexic. She’s a great role model for young girls, and older girls (like me) too! It’s nice to see someone who isn’t intimidated by critics.
She also says that she hates it when actors complain. She says she has lots of money for a 21 year old, has to work hard for awhile, then has months and months off to rest in between.
If you have a chance, I’d recommend picking up the article. I thought it was refreshing and it’s turned me into a Jennifer Lawrence fan before I’ve even seen the movie!
Fat? Seriously? Where?!?
Doree Weller 