Mark Twain

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Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

Friday, January 28, 2011

Today's walk and Today's lesson


The walk today was beautiful. The snow still clings to the all the trees and plants in a way that is reminiscent of a holiday card. This storm surely did cause havoc in our area, but it left beautiful scenes behind. My walk today was very hit or miss. Most side walks were cleared in my area, but sometimes I was forced to step into the street. It wasn't a major problem.

And the walk gave me some very needed private time to sort through my turbulent thoughts. December and January have been difficult months in our household. So much of this time has been spent sick, fatigued, worried, angry, or upset. It has drained me so much that I hardly sleep at times, and find keeping focused on the regular things of life difficult. Peace has been missing, and I wanted to find a way to get it back. Strangely, the answer didn't come in my walk.

I read a posting from a blog I follow: The Totally Together Journal by Stephanie O'Dea.

http://totallytogetherjournal.com/permission-granted/

I encourage you to check it out. Stephanie O'Dea is also the author of two crock pot cooking books (Make It Fast, Cook It Slow and More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow - both excellent books.) The focus of this post was to be happy! In fact, the title "Permission Granted" refers to permission being granted to be happy! Her blog post reminded me that happiness is a choice. And recently I was watching an old Monk TV show and the same theme - Choose to be happy! - was part of the story. Both the blog and the TV show seemed to have a message directly aimed at me.

By nature I am a happy person. I have had times in my life when the problems have seemed overwhelming. I have always found a way to bounce back. Big changes are happening in my life once again, changes beyond my control - and change always carries its own stress. I need to stay focused on the gift nature gave me, the ability to be happy, to choose happiness and then peace will return. I am sure of it.

Thanks, Stephanie.

4 comments:

Stephanie ODea said...

anytime.

and thank YOU. :-0

xoxo steph

SusieCraft said...

We lucky people who have a happiness setpoint will always return to it. Knowing that can help if we remember to think of it through the hard times.

happyone said...

My father used to always say to me "this to shall pass." Whatever the changes are in your life, your happiness attitude will surely help.
Not good for walking around my house. Lots of ice. I'll not be walking outside again today. I MISS my walks around the lake!!!!!!

Linda said...

Thanks for the link - a very good reminder. One of the positive things about being older for me has been the knowledge that things will change - can't really stop that! So if things are hard or upsetting, I know I can wait it out. Hugs, Linda