The more I see, the less I know for sure.

Sometimes, as hard as I try to understand their point of view, I just can’t understand Debbie Downers.  There is just so much to be thankful for; beauty in so many things; an ounce of happiness in even the crappiest of situations.  I learned from an early age that life was precious and not something to take for granted. We have all had our fair share of sadness in our lives, some more than others.  No one is born into a perfect situation without ever encountering any heartache in their time.  I’m a firm believer in “life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react to it.”  

That being said,  I have maybe 5-6 all out HORRIBLE days in a year when nothing seems to be going right and the only response I can come up with is to curl into a ball, close my blinds, and get into bed.  I think everyone is entitled to a bad day— they make us appreciate the good ones even more.  What I don’t understand are the people that look for every opportunity to find the negative, who thrive on whinging about how terrible their life is.  To those people, I provide to you my list of all things wonderful— the things that bring me even an ounce of joy on the all-out most terrible days.  Feel free to use it as a resource/cheat sheet on days when you just can’t seem to come up with a single good thing in your life to be thankful for:

—Warm sunshine-y weather, sunroof open, music blaring

—Waking up with your puppy or kitty curled up on top of you

—Being next to someone that smells good

—Coffee

—The 4th of July fireworks

—The laundromat

—Flip flops and summer dresses

—A good book

—Conversations that bring you closer to someone

—Hugs

—Letters

—Someone letting you in during the morning commute

—Walks

—Prayer

—Hot showers

—Adventures with friends

—The first peppermint hot chocolate of winter

—Care packages

—Re-runs of your favorite TV shows

—Cowboy boots

—Passion, energy, enthusiasm for something

**This list is continuously growing and being added to**

Life is way too short.  Don’t waste it being an apathetic, boring whinge.  It’s not too difficult to see the beauty and joy in almost everything if one surrounds themselves with good people and positivity. 

I’ve been struggling a lot lately with the ebb and flow of friendships. I came across this a couple days ago and it really struck something in me— finally, an explanation!  While I may never fully understand why some friends seem to just fall off the face of the earth, seem to have less and less in common with me over the years, or why some never cease to stick by my side throughout the years.. I’m thankful for all of you just the same.  Friendships and relationships are a tricky, tricky thing.  Nevertheless, all of my friends (whether we had a semester-long friendship or a 17+ year friendship), have shaped and molded me into the whacky goofball I am today.  Thank you.

If you’re struggling with the same kind of thing, hopefully this leaves you with the insight and comfort it left me.  

—-

“People come into your life for a reason, season, or lifetime.

When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. When they are there for the reason, it is because you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a season, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person or people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendships of a lifetime are clairvoyant.”

—When people use the term “love on you” as in  “I just want to love on you”.  Cringe cringe cringe.

—Birds.  I just think they’re such gross dirty creatures.  Their eyes freak me out and I can’t happen to think that they’re in it to peck my face apart.

—When people say “what?!?” instead of “excuse me?” or “pardon? or “say again?”. I get this so much working in the Hospitality industry and each time it makes me cringe even more than the last.  I especially can’t stand when kids say this to their parents or to any adult for that matter. It’s so rude and demanding sounding.

—People that treat their server/front desk agent/bellmen/busboy/hostess like dirt.  You aren’t exerting any sort of power, and you look like a d-bag.  In fact, whoever you are treating like dirt actually holds the power.  They have the power to spit in your food, put you in a crappy room, and seat you right next to the kitchen.

With that being said, have a happy Monday and don’t do anything cringe worthy!

Sometimes it takes other people to remind you how lucky you really are.

Things I Like:

• Snacks
• Surprises
• Purses
• Multi-tasking
• Cowboy boots
• Good manners… no, GREAT manners.
• Driving on warm days with all the windows open
• Sunshine
• Summer dresses
• Book stores
• Loud music
• Puppies
• The smell of laundry in the dryer
• Traveling
• Good conversation
• Photos
• Naps
• Organization
• Lists
• Tea

Things I Don’t Like:

• Missed opportunity
• People who don’t seize opportunity
• Milk
• Slow walkers…. at least move to one side if you’re gonna pull that shit.
• People who consistently mis-spell or mis-pronounce my name.  It’s 7 letters. 3 syllables… especially bothers me when someone is replying to an email and mis-spells my name. It’s right there, people!
• Tail-gaters
• Dirty nails