For my collage of happy.

I like the way a positive thought can carry me through the day. Even a rainy day. I have found that if I start off my morning with good thoughts (and prayer), chances are the rest of the day will feel pretty good. Of course, there are glitches: watching or reading crazy news doesn’t help; dealing with difficult people doesn’t help; worrying doesn’t help. Sometimes I have to keep flipping on that “good thought” switch to reframe my state of mind. But, whatever, I’ll do that as many times as I need to as long as I can rid myself of negativity.

It’s true that there are times when circumstances beyond our control take over our minds and gloom sets in. The stars don’t always align for us, do they?. We all have those days. But, I believe positive thoughts attract positive circumstances, so why not inject a bit of happy into our brains anyway? What do we have to lose?

I’ve created a “collage of happy” I use for such times. A group of snapshots of funny, special, and perspective-filled memories I am grateful for, and I picture them often. Because I tell you what, nothing drowns out negative thoughts like gratitude, as I have learned.

So, let’s think good thoughts. Let’s remember what lifts us. Let’s be thankful. Let’s kick our day into gear with positive thoughts,  prayer, and happy memories, and see what a difference that can make.

For my collage of happy, today and always, I am thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“Beautiful things happen in your life when you distance yourself from all the negative thoughts.”
-Unknown

“People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action.”
-S. Maraboli 

“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” 
-G. Kent

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
– Philippians 4:8

For divine connections and human bridges.

Every time I think about the individuals who were strategically placed in my life solely to help me connect the dots or link me with others who would come packed with added purpose, I get goose pumps. What the heck, just incredible.

There was the acquaintance I hadn’t talked to in forever and one day e-mailed me to refer me to the job I still thank God for fifteen years later, then never heard from her again. There was the two-minute encounter at the book fair with a childhood friend of my daughter’s which led to my book signing opportunity. There was the ten-day nightmare caregiver who recommended someone as her backup while she took time off and that someone turned out to be just the right caregiver I needed for Mom. There was the neighbor who had long moved away and one day came around and, upon hearing of our situation with Mom, offered her free services to sell Mom’s house.

Those are some of the more obvious ones now. Who knows how many other connections I’ve had in my life which purpose has not manifested or come to fruition yet.

God sends them in the nick of time. They are instruments appointed to help us connect the dots and move forward. Here’s the thing, though: these divine appointments rarely come packaged the way we expect. So best be on the lookout. And please, don’t fret, but be patient, because God tends to send in these people to pinch-hit in the ninth inning, so I’ve learned. I’m just in awe, and it never gets old.

For divine connections and human bridges, today and always, I am thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

Your love, Jesus, is an ocean
with no shore to bound it.
And if I plunge into it, I carry
with me all the possessions
I have. You know, Lord,
what these possessions are—
the souls you have seen
fit to link with mine.
-St. Thérèse of Lisieux

For the shake-up season. Hello, Lent!

Yesterday brought us the beginning of this holy season and, for me, it couldn’t have come at a better time. I find myself being consumed by the level of wide-world criticism, negativity and hostility, and none of it is doing anything to fuel my spiritual soul. On the contrary, I’m engaging in it and that’s just sharpening my tongue. So I welcome this season of Lent. I need it. I need it like a man with his head on fire needs water.

I know that during the next few weeks, I’ll intentionally put myself even more in tune with God. He will fill my heart with positivity and peace, and hopefully that’ll cool my thoughts [and my tongue]. I’m counting on His divine therapy, really, because I know there are better things on which to focus my energy. “Lent is the time for greater love,” Mother Teresa would say, and that’s exactly what I’m shooting for: greater love for others. That’s my Lenten resolution, what’s yours?

Because Lent is here to shake me up, I am thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“Even the darkest moments of the liturgy are filled with joy, and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the lenten fast, is a day of happiness, a Christian feast.”
-Thomas Merton

“Make few resolutions. Make specific resolutions. And fulfill them with the help of God.”
-St. Josemaria Escriva

For flaws.

I have a decent amount of OCD-type blood running through my veins and…I’m somewhat of a control freak. Quite the combo, I know. I would love it if all of life (me, everyone and everything in the world) worked like a perfectly oiled machine. Yet, I know better, I know that God alone is perfect and that perfection, for us, is unattainable.

Luckily, there is an upside to this unattainability: Our flaws, you see, throw into focus that which requires acceptance, forgiveness, and patience – – you and me – – and more importantly, make us unique, relatable, and memorable. If we look at it this way, it’s not so bad to have rough edges, is it?

In this life of fleeting moments, I think it serves us best to remember that things not be perfect to truly feel perfect, and that we’re all in this together, flaws included. For perfect imperfections, today and always, I am thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“It is in the process of embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts: courage, compassion, and connection.”
-Brené Brown

“You don’t love someone because they’re perfect…You love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.”
-Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper

“I am a contradiction
a perfect imperfection
On looking in from outside
I think I’d pass inspection

My nails are neat, each hair in place
My clothes the latest styles
But look a little closer,
And you can see my trials

The window to my balanced soul
Is stained from too much smoke
A birds eye view down at my heart
Will clearly show it’s broke

My best intentions lead to pain
And complicated messes
My head is filled with wishes,
My decisions second guesses

There was a time I tried to hide
each wrinkle, scar and tear
But I’m learning to appreciate
That I’m more than I appear

Each wrinkle tells a story
The path from there to here
I’ve earned a little wisdom
With every falling tear

My soul will soar in brilliant skies
But then I’ll need to rest
The embers of my passion
Still smolder in my chest

Perhaps I’ll let my hair go wild
And skip the manicure
I’ll wear my favorite color
They’ll say “Hey, look at her”

My hair, my heart, my clothes, my soul
Will walk in one direction
No longer contradicting
My perfect imperfection.”
-Melissa Bachara

For choices.

Fortunate to have them there for me to make. Blessed beyond measure by some of the ones I have made.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” –Jeremiah 1:5

For Lauren and Danny, today and always, I am thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”
-R.T. Bennett