3 Things

Today is a new day and I am still hoping for good news, relief from my pain, and the guidance to make the most of every moment (after all, I am the luckiest person in the world!). Gotta keep going because this is life! And I thank God (everyday) that I can experience the problems, pain, and frustration of life because the alternative is worse. I heard someone say that if you want to be where no one has stress, go to a cemetery. That seems harsh, yes, but if you think about it, it’s true. The bad may be over, but so is the good. And how many people do we know who wish family members could still be here to cause problems, pain, and frustration? 

The flip side is that life also allows beauty, love, laughter, hope, sunshine, and rainbows.

I will say it again, and I’m sure I’ve said it about 1000 times now, life is attitude. You choose it, you live it, you can’t blame anyone else for your situation. If you don’t like it, change it. Okay, so it’s not really that simple, but it can be done. Set a goal, work toward it, and you may reach it or end up somewhere better than where you started. And as a bonus you've learned along the way. One of my favorite quotes is "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars" by Les Brown.

Life is similar to a game; play it, but play it well. Let your conscience be your guide. As TobyMac sang, “I don’t want to gain the whole world and lose my soul.”

Christian music is one of my three. Three what, you ask? ‘Three’ is a technique I use (one of many) to handle stress. I stop, take a deep breath, and remember 3 things (blessings) that bring me joy. Today it is Christian music which is uplifting, brings me closer to God, and just feels good. I mentioned in the last post that the local K-Love station was not broadcasting on the Big Island for a week and it had an impact. The impact was really felt by others who had to hear me sing the songs I was missing and I apologize a thousand times over! Despite the fact that I was in choir and drama in high school, I never got a solo - and for good reason! I enjoyed singing and the fellowship of great people, but it was best when my voice blended in with the crowd. I was smiley and encouraging, the way I’ve always been, but I was never a good singer. After high school I kept my positive, upbeat attitude, but my voice seemed to get worse every year (again I apologize to those who hear me sing!)

My daughters, however, were blessed with beautiful singing voices. I listen to their performances all the time, even those from middle school and high school years. Where Celeste continued training her voice in college, and will star in her first lead opera role in Chicago this November, Olivia chose to concentrate on her nursing skills and Army leadership. Of course she still sings - she leads worship and sings her heart out for Jesus each week - but she did not make it a career like her sister.

Another blessing for this morning: SOCKS! I moved to Hawaii 15 months ago and still can’t bring myself to wear pants, long-sleeves, and shoes with socks unless I have to, because I am always hot!  And because two fans on me while sleeping wasn't enough, I bought an air conditioner; I named him Frosty. He increased my electric bill, but also my love of the tropics! I turn him on at night to cool down the apartment and then I sleep blissfully cool, sometimes with covers or socks on! See photo below :)

HGTV magazine was my third blessing for this morning. I love the station, the shows, the people - who are my rock stars (along with the Food Network and Cooking Channel folks!) and I would wait in long lines to get in to see them before I would a Journey concert. Oh wait, I did stand in a very long line, for a very long time at a library conference in Chicago and I was in the front row to see Giada DeLaurentiis - SOOOO worth it! I was able to see her the following year as well, she didn’t come to a conference, but the conference came to her. The American Library Association’s annual conference was held in Vegas and Giada had just opened her restaurant in The Cromwell. I urge you to go if you haven’t yet! Her food is as amazing and vivacious as she is. 

***My photos with Giada outrank the ones I took with Rick Springfield.

Back to my blessings. Be warned: I can talk until someone duct tapes my mouth, especially about libraries, so I better get back to the current topic. My three blessings this morning are Christian music, socks, and HGTV magazine which I like to read in the morning with my coffee. Here’s my advice to you: find what works for you. Research, experience, enjoy, try new things, ask -  especially if someone else may be able to assist you – boy, I sound like a librarian, yeah? If there is anything I can do, please leave a comment. My purpose in life is to help.

Keep looking on the bright side! Michelle :)