Happiness Really is a Choice

happiness really is a choice

Happiness really is a choice.

If happiness really is a choice, then why am I not choosing it?  There are times when a heavy cloud hangs over my head and won’t go away!

There is work to be done every day.

People to care for, family and friends with needs and an endless pile of paperwork must be done before week’s end.  I open a window, take in the fresh morning air, gaze at the flower-laden hillside, and hear the birds calling me outside.

Click here for a helpful article to relieve some stress in making family decisions.

Visiting children’s church camps and Vacation Bible Schools this summer has been filled with mixed emotions. Smiles and hugs and laughter from young ones fill my hungry soul. Yet, deep down I grieve because health needs and work obligations keep me from getting to stay and be more involved.

Below is six doable ways to choose happiness in your world.

I don’t like having to work inside all day. I’m angry with myself for not taking better care of my health needs.  I feel resentment raising its ugly head inside me. It seems unfair somehow that I have to be inside while others enjoy the sunshine. I could quite easily become a grumpy old woman. (Actually, sometimes I am!)

Many of you are caregivers 24/7. Some are parents working jobs and coming home to mounds of household chores and responsibilities. Do you ever have those feelings? The feelings themselves are normal; but we do not have to give in to them.

John Ortberg has said: “What repeatedly enters your mind occupies your mind, eventually shapes your mind, and will ultimately express itself in what you do and who you become.”

Wow! Happiness really is a choice.

Here are 6 ways I am choosing happiness over the grumpy old woman!

1. I will recognize my way is not always the best way. Ouch! Today I bit my tongue before I tried to “help” my husband arrange groceries in the trunk the way I would have done it — the best way!

2. I will be thankful I have work to do and the ability to do it. I will thank God for each person I have privilege to care for in some way. I will be thankful for the talent and the equipment to do reports and to write.

3. I will enjoy the view from the window; and be thankful for the beauty and for fresh, clean air to breath. I can share cheerful memories with those in my influence and rejoice.

4. I will be thankful I have eyes to see, ears to hear, people to love on, and people who love me  … that list can go on and on!

5. I will smile a little more and grumble less. That means I will smile when interrupted at my busiest times. I will remember those interruptions are most often God’s appointments. I will rejoice and be glad.

6. I will plan a little better and organize my “has to be done list” to allow for short breaks. I will not complain when I do not accomplish all I feel I should. I will remember I am not Wonder Woman and be happy.

So, for me, for this day, happiness really is a choice and I will make that choice. Will you? We can make it together, one day at a time.

From Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd … He restores my soul.

Hugs,

Let me hear how your day is going. What helps you choose happiness?

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

celebrate national ice cream month

Celebrate National Ice Cream month!

July is National Ice Cream Month!   In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month.  The third Sunday of the month is National Ice Cream Day.  Wow! How did that fact escape me all these years?

For some fun facts about over seventy Ice Cream flavors, click here.

Be sure to hover over the different flavors and read the contents.  I’m not so sure I want to try a few of them.

Before you head to the store to buy cartons of your favorite brands for the celebration, consider these timely tips on how to celebrate this exciting holiday month without going overboard.

  1. Portion control.  If having a big carton of ice cream in threatening to your diet, consider stocking up on individual cups, ice cream bars, or even popsicles for those who cannot do milk products.
  2. Take advantage of available fresh fruit and nuts.  Fill your bowl with fruits and nuts first, then top with one generous scoop of softened ice cream. Eat slowly and enjoy.
  3. Make sure the sales are really what you need. If limiting yourself is a problem, don’t be tempted to get the two for a special price. The dollars you save may not be worth the extra calories you’ll consume!
  4. Have an ice cream party.  Invite friends and neighbors to bring their favorite toppings and join you for a fun evening of games and snacks.  Consider a summer salad and dinner is served for your guests!
  5. Tuck $5 ice cream gift cards in the notes and letters you send … encourage others as you celebrate.
  6. Check your local eateries.  McDonald’s has 59cent ice cream cones the month of July . For our ice cream outing, we get a cone at the drive thru; then sit in the car, windows down and people-watch while enjoying a small portion of ice cream.
For a brief history of ice cream flavors, click here. Read how historian Sarah Lohman unravels the complex origins of chocolate and vanilla, and explains why a strange whale byproduct was key to ice cream’s infancy.
Well, I hope you will try at least one new flavor this month, with a friend! Be sure to let me know how you celebrate!
Hugs,
A reminder: don’t forget to check out those summer salad ideas … good with or without ice cream!

Personal Handwritten Notes vs Texting or Messaging

Personal Handwritten Notes vs Texting or Messaging

Personal handwritten notes may be better than texting or messaging.

For proof positive of this, consider the soccer parents in this story being played out today in history (click here). I can see them clutching tear-stained notes from their children.

A mother’s simple note to pastor reaches her family.

When my pastor-husband took a firm stand on an issue in our community, he received a simple, hand-written note from an elderly widow. Faye not only thanked him for his stand, but  assured him of her prayers for his ministry.  Russell kept the letter in his Bible and read it often. Recently, after her death, he gave the letter to her daughter letting her know how much that encouragement had meant to him. The value increased as her family shared tears of joy to hold that precious, life-changing note.

Feelings expressed on paper have long-lasting benefits.

Recently, I found a hand-written note from my only sibling. He called me weekly for many years, then daily the past two years before he died in October.  I miss his calls, his voice and his long stories. though they fade with time. His sweetness comes alive as I re-read his words scribbled on a yellowed notepad. I feel the paper, knowing he touched it and shared his heart with me. I continue to reap amazing rewards with personal handwritten notes from my ‘baby brother’. They are priceless!

Confined at home; can’t minister to others? Think again.

Doris Smitherman, in her 90s, regularly sends hundreds of small notecards to a growing list. This beautiful friend  hears a need and adds another family to her ministry list. Simple notes filled with stickers and Bible verses touch the hearts and souls of many who never get visitors, calls, or cards. Only eternity will reveal what amazing rewards await her.  How many lives have been changed forever by one person they may never have met who cared enough to “send the very best.”

Stop! I can hear your excuses … I have used them, too!

“Not me! – My handwriting is terrible! – I can’t spell! – I’m not a writer! – I’ll just call or text! – Stamps are too expensive! – I don’t have time for this!”

You thought some of those things, didn’t you? You may be right! However, indulge me on this one, please! (I’ll look for your comments at the end.)

Why are personal handwritten notes so valuable?

  1. A handwritten note is tangible proof you are loved and appreciated.
  2. A handwritten note, with all its imperfections, is personal; just for the recipient.
  3. Value increases when you consider someone spent time, thought, and money for you.

 

Who needs your note? (For other ideas on who needs your encouragement, click here.)

  1. Those who cannot or may not reply; it is not a card ‘exchange’.
  2. Overworked, stressed-out caregivers or parents or teachers or ???
  3. Faithful servants in the community: waitresses, store managers, mail carriers …
  4. Those on your prayer list, whether you know them personally or not.

 

I hope this whetted your appetite a bit to at least try it. For now, start accumulating addresses and watch for an article very soon with simple ideas to make this an easy project for you, and perhaps your family.  Please do comment below and trust me through one more article.  I think you will be amazed!

Hugs,

An important part of recognizing who may benefit from our personal notes is learning to listen. For me, this has been a challenge; God, as always, never gives up on me! click here for more