the glass is half full.

Source:  Pinterest via Jennifer Kershner

I have a confession:  I am generally a "glass is half empty" person.
I can be pessimistic, gloomy, even a little paranoid, feeling like the world is out to get me.  Sarcasm is my friend.  There are days when every sentence that comes out of my mouth is some type of complaint.

Source:  Pinterest via Martina Qualls

Not too long ago, Connor asked me to stop being such a "grumpy old lady."
Um, yeah.  I'm a real joy to be around.

Source:  Pinterest via Sara Kate

In my defense, there is a lot about my life that would make even Pollyanna scream in frustration.  The Dalai Lama might have some serious questions about what evils I committed in my past lives to earn me such stellar karma in this one.  The saying:  If she didn't have bad luck, she'd have no luck at all.  I think that was written about me.


But, in my occasional "glass is half full" moments, I recognize my blessings.  I have a healthy son.  I have a cozy home.  I have a patient husband.  I have a car that runs.  We have plenty of food, clean water, money to pay the electric bill.  I have a tremendous amount of freedom almost every single day.  This is just the short list.


I am truly blessed.
And I really want to focus on that throughout this next year. 
I want to let go of all of my frustration and worry and fear.
I want to live the gratitude I feel rather than the grumpiness.

Source:  Pinterest via Sandra H

So, I'm trying out some strategies that might make this easier:

• I'm working on some home beautification projects, but working really hard to focus on what I do have rather than what I don't have.  For example, I don't have money to buy custom curtains for my house, but I do have the creativity and mad sewing skills (ha!) to sew new curtains out of the ticking stripe fabric I found at the discount fabric store this week.  Or, I don't have money to buy new knick knacks and pictures to hang in our dining area, but I can search through all of the stuff I already have and come up with, what I hope will be, a cute little arrangement. 
• I'm planning some crafty projects just for our house.  I almost never take the time to make things for our everyday use, but we need new potholders and chair cushions and a few other things and I've been having a lot of fun thinking of how to make some.  Not to mention, it gives me an excuse to peruse Pinterest for hours on end.  : )
• I'm trying to stick to a housekeeping schedule so that I feel less overwhelmed by all of the little things that pile up.  I really hate cleaning.  I wish I didn't, but I do, and I'm just going to have to get over it.



Source:  Pinterest via Marlena Porter

• Perhaps, most importantly, I'm trying to teach myself to stop. stressing. out. over. things. that. are. out. of. my. control.  I'm trying to remember--at the beginning of a freak-out--to take a deep breath, say a quiet prayer, and move on to something else.  This is not easy for me.  At all. 

So, on that note, I'm sending out positive thoughts this evening, hoping that everyone has a wonderful week.  I'll be here, focusing on the happy in my life. 
Even if it kills me.  : )

Source:  Pinterest via Jemm