I received such nice comments on my Pollyanna piece, making me glad I wrote it, after almost deleting it because it was so, you know, Pollyanna-ish.
Has had me thinking about the three Gs.
Grace, Gratitude, and Generosity…the three places I try to live in, especially when life takes a bumpy turn.
To remind yourself of the good that will battle the bad is a wonderful state to stay in.
Not easy, but worth the attempt.
Wonder who I’m channeling. Gandhi maybe, who
said, “We must become the change we want to see?”
Or Ralph Waldo Emerson suggesting, be silly, be honest, be kind.
And Anne Lamott, another one of God’s girls, admitting,
All advice at least, worth considering.
A good habit is as easy to develop as a bad one. To catch yourself in the middle of woe is me, is easily done if you develop even an iota of consciousness.
I had a terrible day yesterday filled with angst and disappointment leaving me in tears, yet pressed on, just the same. Hating to admit this, but I get it from my mother who kept going no matter what.
Like the toy soldiers in Laurel and Hardy’s, March of the Wooden Soldiers, who kept marching, even without their heads.
That’s me.
There was an old man standing on the curb with two canes looking lost and bewildered. He was waiting for a cab that of course wouldn’t stop because he couldn’t raise his arm to flag it down.
While Grace showed her pretty head, I helped him, but not as much as he helped me. There I was, in full stride, while he, doing the best he could, was having a hard time just getting home.
She does that, that Grace, humbling you quietly.
There was the kid at the Gap, with only one arm, folding sweaters, and the mother of 4 with another on the way asking for help. Imagine all those mouths to feed, including her own, reminding me of all the food I had in my refrigerator.
I went home, wept one more time for good measure, before Grace and Gratitude, along with Generosity came a’callin, reminding me how lucky I am, despite life’s unexpected twists.
I then, put on a fresh nighty, climbed into a clean bed with my book, while all three dozed peacefully beside me.
SB
You and I, we have our differences, but we are, down deep, nearly the same. I see the world in such a brighter light since the changes brought on by my stroke. My love for people and for places and for things just fills me with joy and hope whenever I am out and about. Do I ever get down? Sure. I have my days, but I try to end each one with a “Thank you, God, for helping me through this day. I love you and everyone in this world. Tomorrow will be better.” Yeah, that[s a paraphrase, but I do love God and I do love the world and I do believe that we create our own reality and it can and should be wonderful. Else, why create it? If you do not like where you are, change it. If you do not like how you are, change it. Tomorrow is a blank canvas, paint fresh on it.
Scott
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Amen!
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I get humbled when I watch the news and see the wars or the fires or the volcanoes erupting or whatever bad things are going on. Makes everything in my life seem pretty wonderful.
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Catastrophe is so random. I make myself look at the good. We’re lucky we live where we live. Look at California. Sigh
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I’m sorry you had a down day, but thanks for sharing it. It’s good for ordinary people to know that extraordinary people can survive a bad day in style.
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You’re very funny…I’m as ordinary, trust me on this, as they come, but thank you, as always.
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Susannah, there are always Gloomy Gus’s trying to convince us to walk under a black cloud like Eeyore. I once wished a co-worker ‘Good Morning’ only to have him snarl, “Why do you always have to be such a Mary Sunshine?”
You and I, as well as all the other Pollyannas, can continue to enjoy the sunny side of the street. It gets us through the day a heck of a lot better than being a bah-hum-bugger. Nothing wrong with being thankful for what we have.
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Dear Mary Sunshine..I love this…Gloomy Gus, how I’d like to put him out of his misery. Just now someone asked me, why do I get up if I don’t have to, my presence seeming to irritate her. Oh I don’t know, what do you suggest, I lie in bed till I die? She left in a huff.
Making an effort isn’t easy, I’ll give Gus that, but you make it anyway. 🙂
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It took almost a year, but I turned him, ha ha! He still wasn’t exactly cheerful, but he grumbled with a smile and planned my office birthday party a month ahead of time.
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Kindness whittles gloominess down if we’re patient. Like waiting for buds to appear.
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PS Just so you know, this post is bombing because no one wants to be told about the 3 Gs. sigh
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Maybe they just don’t know how to respond. It is definitely the season for this post.
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Susannah, I have just posted the following on my Christian WordPress blog, and your actions and post so exemplifies what I want to say! . “As we marvel at the brightly lit Christmas lights, let us remember Psalm 97:11 Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.”
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I never heard that Steve…how lovely.
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome.
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There is always someone worse off than you. Even on my darkest days, I can say, with great certainty, I am a billion times better off than folk in Syria, Thailand, Somalia, &c, &c, &c. My problems seem so paltry next to those who have lost everything. Perspective is a great healer.
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Yes it is. I’m humbled by it 20 times a day, maybe more.
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The three G’s are like ninjas, showing up just when we need them most. I for one am glad that I recognize them so quickly.
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It’s those saints you were raised with. The Italian Ronettes. They linger. 🙂
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