Skip to main content

Sprinkle. Spread. Focus

 

You, dear reader, kind of know me. My blog title, the glass is half full, gives you a clue into my predisposition. I find the positive in nearly every situation. Or, more accurately, 'found' the positive.

I'm struggling. And I know that I'm not alone. There is just so so so so much to struggle with - emotionally, physically, mentally that it's difficult not to get overwhelmed. Know what I mean?

I listened to a great sermon last Sunday. I felt uplifted and motivated to be the change - to live like Christ and lean in to the Holy Spirit and to focus on all that is "true, honorable, worthy of respect, right ...brings peace...worthy of praise" (this is a terrible paraphrase of Philippians 4:8 but you get the picture, and I'm sure God won't mind if it's not perfect when I'm trying to concisely communicate the point). John and I were in great moods as we had those words on our minds and we saw a sign that read "Sprinkle goodness like confetti, the world needs it right now". Amen, we said! Our hearts were full and we were ready to sprinkle and spread and focus. Sprinkle, spread, focus. Sprinkle, spread, focus. Can't you just picture us? Can't you just see how filled up with good intentions were we?

Then . . . there's always a 'then', isn't there? You know what I'm talking about, when life or the world does it's own kind of sprinkle all over your good intentions. That's the 'then' - I witnessed a nasty altercation between two men in the parking lot of the golf course. I'm not sure what started it but I heard a whole lot of F-bombs and other colorful language sprinkling all over my goodness-confetti intentions. Of course, it turned political. My smile turned upside down as I listened to bits and pieces. I felt my heart breaking, hope disintegrating. My divided heart. My glass emptying.

John came back to the car, having missed the whole thing and when I told him he reminded me "There's nothing you could do. Focus on what you can control". I said something like, 'but in 'normal' times those two men would not have lashed out. Our world is upside down crazy and stressed'. He reminded me, that was not within my control. And he's right. My magic wand and fairy dust are in storage, I thought, but I do have the words from the sermon, Philippians and the random sign and my positive disposition that I can use to right the parts of the world I can control. My heart was mending, hope coming back and my glass was full (literally because John had purchased a wine spritzer for me while I rode in the golf cart providing snarky feedback).

It is my mission now to sprinkle, spread and focus. Look for more on this 'project' in coming weeks. Because truly, the world needs a shower of goodness/kindness confetti. I hope you'll join me!

#kindnessconfetti

#goodnessconfetti

#philippians4

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

It's not a popularity contest, but ...

The world according to Gimp

  I understand that there are those who may believe my use of the term 'gimp' is derogatory or demeaning. I do not use it lightly or to belittle anyone, it's just a lot easier for me to than 'disabled' or 'handicapped' because it uses a little snark or humor to something that could use a little of that. Or in this case, I specifically want to make light of my situation so that it doesn't feel depressing. For you or me. Let me try to explain.  One of my pet peeves is the look of sympathy I get from well-meaning people. Like, "Aw, sweetie, I am so sorry that you are less abled, confined to a wheelchair and less able to live the full, active life that I lead."  I am in a wheelchair most of the time and my life is different because of that but in truth I never wanted to run a marathon of play pickleball or climb Mt. Baldhead (I've done the latter too many times usually bringing up the rear of the group I was with and/or being cheered on by the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Time

I have been reading through the blog entries for John's caringbridge site and am marveling that it was only a year ago we were on that awful cancer journey. In a way it seems like so much longer - especially when I look at the Patient Patient and see just how wonderfully handsome and healthy he looks! John still has periodic visits with the docs in A2 and prior to each we are both a little nervous that the docs might find something. He calls after each visit and we breathe a sigh of relief when the docs declare that all is clear! We know patients that went through treatment at the same time haven't received the same news; our concerns are grounded in reality and our sense of relief immense. In the past year, we have heard of far too many people that have received a diagnosis of cancer - prostrate, breast, throat, etc. While the type of cancer may be very different, the family's reaction and the ultimate course of treatment may vary greatly. The family and loved ones g...
Post a Comment
Read more

Falling down

{ I found this draft while reading through my blog - I have many entries that I've never 'published' often using my blog space as a journal. At the time of this writing, I remember not wanting to post this because the feelings it elicited were too raw and painful. I am, much to my chagrin and to those that love me, a fairly proud woman. And this disease MS often seems to strip that pride, leaving me feeling wholly vulnerable and naked to the world - without my publishing it for all the world to read. Today, however, when I read this I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit, to bare all on this frigid day and remember how cold and naked I felt on a hot summer day.} We moved to our home 11 years ago - and one of the primary reasons we moved here was because of the proximity to Lake Michigan. I love the lake - the sounds of the waves crashing lull me to sleep, the beach inspires me on many levels and swimming in it's calmer waters is relaxing and cooling! Yet, after these 1...
Post a Comment
Read more