The Joy of Life

11.24.2009

Gratitude

Dr. Richard D. Grant said something profound: "The opposite of
depression isn't 'Yippee!' The opposite of depression is gratitude."

This quote really made me stop and think about what I was grateful for.
I think this is a good month and a good week to reflect on our
blessings. So in a very random order here are some things that I am
thankful for. What are you thankful for?

My health, my husband, my children, giggles, sunlight sparkling on the
snow, weekends, the gospel, our Savior, Jesus Christ, America, a vehicle
to drive, legs to walk, air to breathe, a good job, the ability to help
someone else, family, friends, hugs, a baby in the bathtub, a doggy
smile, sunshine rays, starlight, that my brother is coming home from
Iraq for Thanksgiving, cookies and brownies, movies, the internet,
imaginary friends or blogs who have touched my heart, nieces and
nephews, letters, Netflix, back rubs, smiles, lunch with friends,
raindrops, the color purple, my wonderful grandmother, empathy, stories
from grandpa, the grandparents of my children who think they are as
wonderful as I think they are, giggling sunbeams, words of wisdom from a
four year old, doctors who answer questions, the internet... the list
could go on.

We downloaded pictures last night of things that we were thankful for as
a family. Jaydee came up with a few that surprised me "the moon" and
"cheese". She enjoyed picking out the pictures. This was her picture
of the moon: http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~idh/apod/ap020316.html

May we all see our blessings through the eyes of a child.

11.23.2009

Eat at Chili's

My brother is on leave for Thanksgiving, he has been serving in Iraq. My family went out to eat at Chili's after picking Van up from the airport. The manager came out and shook Van's hand and gave him a free meal.
I am thankful for our soldiers, may they all come home safe.

11.19.2009

What are you Thankful for?

11.18.2009

Bran Muffins

I have been asked for this recipe so I will share it. Jaydee struggled to stay regular so this was the doctors recommendation along with a small box of raisins every day. The muffins are actually really good. You can

BRAN MUFFINS

Pour 2 cups boiling water over 2 cups Nabisco Bran Buds. Set aside to cool

Mix 2 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup margarine

1 quart buttermilk

4 eggs

Add to bran/water mix.

Add 5 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons baking soda

Mix. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes in muffin tins. Store remaining batter in fridge for up to 6 weeks.
1/4 cup in each muffin tin.

11.17.2009

Live while you have the chance.

I received this email yesterday… I really enjoyed some of the thoughts. One of my favorite thoughts is that life is living and enjoying the little things. Another friend emailed me almost the same thought last night. I guess I needed the reminder that I need to enjoy each day and live my life to the fullest. So I thought I would share this thought. This is from MondayMorningMemo of Roy H. Williams, the Wizard of Ads.

So after you read, please share your thoughts and ideas on what are the little things we need to enjoy in our lives each day?

My Holiday Gift to You... For Real

Tom Hennen has a line in his poem, The Life of a Day, that says,

“We examine each day before us with barely a glance and say, ‘no, this isn’t one I’ve been looking for,’ and wait in a bored sort of way for the next, when we are convinced, our lives will start for real.”

That line is a little bit frightening because you read it and realize you’re guilty. You’ve been waiting for that day when your life will start “for real.”

The trouble with life is that it’s just so daily.

I share this with you because I’ve been thinking about my two grandfathers who are dead and my father who is likewise and I’ve come to the obvious conclusion:

Live while you have the chance.

“Papa was a rolling stone. Wherever he laid his hat was his home…”
- The Temptations, 1971

In the final moments of his life, my father scribbled a note for me to find. In barely legible pencil he scrawled, “All the little things in life add up to your life. If you don't get it right then nothing else matters. It gets lonely in the promised land by yourself.”

My Dad died lonely, I think, because he never made deep commitments. My father’s confession of his loneliness makes me sad, but his scribbled note tells me he wanted me to learn from his mistake.

I meet a lot of people who sigh deeply and say they’re looking for their passion, something to set their souls on fire and send beams of light shining out through their eyes.

But the people with light shining from their eyes know this:

Passion does not produce commitment.
Commitment produces passion.

Solomon, that wise king, spent years of his life searching for passion. In chapter 9 of the chronicle of that search, the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

People read that and think Solomon is saying, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die," but that's not it at all. He's saying, "Throw your whole heart into whatever you do. Live while you have the chance."

This is my Holiday gift to you,
I hope you will receive it:

Find something that needs to be done
and throw yourself headlong into it.

Let today
be the day
your life begins
for real.

Roy H. Williams

"May you live all the days of your life."
- Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels