Posts in Positivity
My Horticulturally Gracious Neighbor, Mr. “The Donald”
My Horticulturally Gracious Neighbor, Mr. “The Donald”

A few years ago, my wife and I were in the front yard of our very first (and current) home. Having moved only a year before to the great state of Florida, home to beaches and theme parks and retired people with golf carts, we stood in awe and gratitude, taking in the moment, with our kids running around the front lawn and the sun setting over the nearby lake and a silver-haired gentleman riding his bike down the sidewalk. 

Life was good, but something was missing. At least, according to my wife.

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Everyday, Gratitude, Witness, PositivityJeremy BellComment
Three Things That Get in the Way of Joy... And What to do About it
Three Things That Get in the Way of Joy... And What to do About it

My new (well, continuing) aspirational goal is to achieve serenity.  If not actual serenity, at least a modicum of equanimity.  You see, the stress of life seems to be ratcheting up and, more than ever, I feel compelled to resist being drawn into the angst that appears to be the theme of our culture’s current existence.

 

I have analyzed how attempts to experience joy often get thwarted and I arrived at three things that --- at least for me --- are the main culprits:  Disorganization, the Need For Control, and IMPATIENCE. 

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Everyday, Positivity, Self helpSherry Davis HiresComment
My Life As a Rockwell
My Life As a Rockwell

It’s all Norman Rockwell’s fault.

 

A huge fan of his paintings, I totally blame him for my life’s expectations… unrealistic as they may be. Especially during the holidays. Who doesn’t want that Home for Christmas scene Rockwell depicts? The citizens of Stockbridge, Massachusetts strolling down Kinkade-like lit streets, effortlessly pulling perfect Christmas trees behind them. I can practically hear the occasional, “Evening, Ma’am” from the folks as they pass each other on the street.

 

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Gratitude, Positivity, EverydayLaurie CopelandComment
Joy When The Unspeakable Happens
Joy When The Unspeakable Happens

The surgeon’s face told us the news wasn’t good. My stepfather’s brain surgery had taken longer than anticipated and now we gathered to hear the results. The doctor was matter of fact. I assume there is no good way to share this kind of news. No doubt he spoke complete sentences, but all we heard were the words that pierced our hearts—brain cancer. Terminal. Six to nine months to live. When he finished, the doctor said he was sorry, and then left the room. Then my mother burst into tears. My sister and I cradled her as she went through a series of emotions. Anger—she raged at God. Questions—why him and not her? Denial—this was not happening.

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Cancer, Tragedy, PositivityCheri CowellComment
Three Steps for Using the Magic of Make-Believe To Help Achieve Goals
Three Steps for Using the Magic of Make-Believe To Help Achieve Goals

My mystifying reality: I’m a mid-west gal who grew up surrounded by cornfields and dwelling with the Barcalounger people in their wood-paneled “rec rooms” a/k/a basements. How? Even as a child I always felt I was a fuchsia blossom exiled to a vast beige wasteland. These are not my people. However, thanks to a library annex that opened in our small hamlet, and a sympathetic librarian who informed me that I was not required to adhere to reading books for my grade level, I became an insatiable reader and enthusiastic learner. I wanted to know about lots of things, and I especially loved books about other cultures and how folks in far away places lived. My imagination soared.

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Everyday, Fun, Self help, PositivitySherry Davis HiresComment
The Boat Might Remind You of Gilligan’s Isle, But It Can Lead You to Some Place Beautiful
The Boat Might Remind You of Gilligan’s Isle, But It Can Lead You to Some Place Beautiful

Amazing adventures that happen when you are expecting something else

Last year, my good buddy Thomas and I decided to rent a boat.
We happen to both be crazy about our families and our brides, who happen to have birthdays a mere two days apart. So in order to celebrate our respective wives, we decided to go half-sies and rent a boat. (Important detail: We both love boats but we are both currently boat-less.)
After thorough research, Thomas found a sweet deal on a four hour boat rental and we decided to officially embark on a voyage to Disappearing Island. The pictures of this particular sea vessel looked amazing, and the nice gentleman with the faux island-y accent assured Thomas via his mobile device that it was in fact a new boat.

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Positivity, TurmoilJeremy BellComment
Joy in the Junk : How to Find Joy in the Manure Pile of Life
Joy in the Junk : How to Find Joy in the Manure Pile of Life

Once there were five-year-old twin boys, one a pessimist and the other an optimist. Wondering how two boys who seemed so alike could be so different, their parents took them to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist took the pessimist to a room piled high with new toys, expecting the boy to be thrilled, but instead he burst into tears.

Puzzled, the psychiatrist asked, “Don’t you want to play with these toys?” “Yes,” the little boy bawled, “but if I did, I’d only break them.”

Next the psychiatrist took the optimist to a room piled high with horse manure. The boy yelped with delight, clambered to the top of the pile, and joyfully dug out scoop after scoop, tossing the manure into the air with glee. “What on earth are you doing?” the psychiatrist asked.

“Well,” said the boy, beaming, “There’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!”

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Gratitude, Everyday, PositivityCheri CowellComment