January can be
cold and dreary in many parts of the country.
Certainly here in the Midwest we have been experiencing a tremendous fluctuation
with our temperatures. This in turn has
been making most everyone’s moods, well a little moody!!
Short days, cold
gray skies and limited activity can make even the best of us a little
cranky…..even Bella is a bit short on good mojo!
I have decided
to use today’s blog as sort of a mental infusion of positive energy for anyone
who reads this, including yours truly.
In no particular order are some of the things I will
continually remind myself are a great reason to be happy during the month of January (and beyond!):
Health
– funny that I put this at the top of the list as this has been an interesting
month with all sorts of fine tuning health needs. All teeth, including Bella’s, have been cared
for and we are happy to report big cheesy smiles will continue. Go to the dentist – regularly, that’s all I
am saying, and take care of your pet’s teeth as well. Their breath and good health
will thank you for it. One more thing
about health, think about the foods that you ingest. While culture, region and personal preference
can influence your source of nutrition, balance what your mind thinks is good,
with what is truly good for your body. I
am learning that the hard way, but I am grateful to have the opportunity to
learn it and make it right.
Birthdays
– 3 out of 6 in our family (human family, not furry family) have January
Birthdays. I love Birthdays – I really
do! When I was a little kid we always had small but happy memorable occasions
to celebrate. My kids will have those
same memories of joyful, family filled parties when they were truly the stars
of the show! Even my furry family
members have received a special treat on their big day. While I love Birthdays – sometimes they don’t
always love me. So my happy thought for
this year is to remind myself that a birthday is not measured by the size of
celebration or gift given to you, but by the gift you give yourself. Give yourself the joyful acknowledgement that
you are unique and special but most of all be grateful to the lord for the gift
of another wonderful year.
Family
– January is one of those months due to a large amount of days spent
sequestered indoors, most of them with other members of your family who are
equally as happy as you are for the continual company - when you really have to
muster up a bunch of happy mojo and clever opportunities to keep sane. We are no different than most families, love,
love, love being around each other, but can’t stand it when hours turn into
days turn into – I AM SO BORED!!
This
January we had a few “snow days” and thank goodness for Bella – as she was our
constant comic relief (see previous posts).
In addition to Bella’s antics, there will always be the inevitable
“statement” of the moment that somehow becomes part of our family’s
vocabulary….they are hilarious and if only to us, they make us smile and be
thankful for US……
Watch out for the Black Cows!!
Creativity
– This one ironically makes me the happiest, especially on a dreary January
day. All of my family is so talented
and creative – I could burst with pride!!
All of them – human and furry!! We
have comics, princess divas, musicians, artists, builders, debaters, protectors,
healers, writers and most importantly – faith filled, good hearted kind souls
who make incredible contributions every day to this world.
This
is why I smile….. in January!!!
Dust of Snow - by Robert Frost
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a Hemlock Tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And save some part
Of a day I had rued
The way a
crow
Shook down
on me
The dust of
snow
From a
hemlock tree
Has given
my heart
A change of
mood
And saved
some part
Of a day I had rued.