What to Post Wednesday

Monday afternoon it was sunny, but very cold.  My heart was cold and heavy, too.  Instead of sitting near a window to see the blue sky and sun (which would have been good for me), I sat in the TV room and watched the foodnetwork while I knit CeCe.  I couldn't watch the news, couldn't bear the drama, angst and sadness it brings.  Can things really be as bad around the world as they report?  It frightens me and brings me down.  Is being an ostrich a bad thing? 

The only way I've found to deal with the heaviness is to look around me and count my blessing. I have learned this is the best way for me to deal with overwhelming situations. I did this after 911, after the Tsunami in 2004, and after Katrina.  Reminding myself of all I have keeps me sane at times like this.  The Ten on Tuesday came at the perfect time (even if I am a day late).

Ten Things you Love About Your Life

1. The people; from Smith, to my flesh and blood friends, to my on-line friends, to my family.  You make living rich and fulfilling.
2. The mountains, "my" mountains, the landscape I see every single day fills my soul and heart with awe. It is hard to imagine living without this infusion of daily wonder as I watch the sunlight fill the sky from behind Mt. Olympus. 
3. A kitchen full of food.  I've never been too poor to have the food I need.
4. Water on demand.  Every day of my life I have been able to turn on the faucet and have any amount of safe water I needed.
5. A roof over my head.  There is never a time I didn't have a proper roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in.
6. Clothing and I have had a love hate relationship.  As a youth it was hard to find things that fit (I'm taller than average), but I love(d) good clothing.  Today it's easy to find well fitting, inexpensive clothing and I'm at a point in my life where the "right" label isn't as important as it once was. I am fortunate to have more than enough clothing to cover my body (and shoes for my feet).
7. A job that pays well (and is very easy to do).  When I've wanted or needed to find a new job it has been an easy transition.  The job I have now is enjoyable, has great hours and offers me a little free time on-line (yes, while on the job). 
8. Music has always been a big part of my life.  My father loves music and we listened to every genre.  Jazz, show tunes, classical, early rock, opera and pop (and my mother liked country)...it was all a part of my life from the earliest days.  I still love it all and listen non-stop throughout the day to a huge mix.
9. Love.  Every day of my life I have had at least one person (actually dozens of people) who feel love for me.  That maybe the greatest gift of all.
10. Knitting and needlework have brought so much to my life. Not only is my life better because if needlework and knitting, they changed my life for the better.  The lessons learned, people I've met (teachers and friends) have had a lasting impact on who I am. This rich and rewarding hobby is the highlight of my life.

Comments

[KarenJoSeattle]

That's a great list, Margene. It definitely should have done the trick to cheer you up. Hope you can enjoy some sun tomorrow.

How is CeCe going?

[Laurie]

It's a wonderful list, written by someone who clearly knows how to appreciate the here and now. That is a gift, itself.

[Carolec]

It's hard to feel optimistic after watching the news these days. It does help to stop and think about what matters most. You've hit it right on the head.

[Nora]

Thanks, Margene. We all need to be reminded of how lucky we are.

[Norma]

Amen.

[Ann]

I should do this one as well... the bad news weighs on me too. I try not to be too cynical, but I think that the media is so much more cynical than I am. It's gotten so that all the shrieking headlines and the breathless updates are just wearing me down.

[ruth]

Yes to all, except I don't have mountains. But my part of NJ is lovely and all the spring flowers are out and blooming, and the trees are blooming also.

[Kim]

Another wonderful heartfelt list! There is so much in the world to worry about these days, but looking at the things that we do have, especially the love of friends and family, gives us many things to be thankful for.

[CindyCindy]

Yup. Gratitude is the answer to many things, but still, you wonder if we can get out of the quagmire we are in everywhere. Yet, hope is in the next generation, my dear. The next gang is more sophisticated and less demanding(although more emotionally immature). I see my nieces, 25 and 21, and realize if we can not screw things up much more, they should be fine.

[bellamoden]

Thank you for such an uplifting list. Truly.

And thank you for you.

[deb]

Well your list sure made me feel better!

[Knitnana]

I know. I so agree with you. So hard to imagine famine in this country...and so much else. It's all a train-wreck.

And the 10 Things list is important. I'm glad you did one, and I love your list! Now...could we see a mountain shot? Your beautiful photos?

THAT's uplifting for me...and hmmm...maybe the next sock I cast on will be hot pink!
((((Hugs))))

[Sarah HB]

So true....I have been very thankful as of late for all the good in my life.

[Stitch-n-Snitch]

I've been feeling the negative pull as well. Thanks for the reminder of all of the good things in life. :)

[Anonymous]

The exquisite beauty of spring in the Great Lakes area. I lived out west for most of my adult life and still miss the grandeur and dramatic natural beauty every single day. The first 2 or three weeks of exquisitely shaded blossoms and radiant, strong flowers like daffodils, tulips, and then the beguiling fragrance of lilac and lily of the valley, and then the bright green lawns dotted with the blue and yellow of violets and dandelions (my favorite weeds of them all).

Welcome spring. I get to drive to work this morning through all your beauty.

[regina]

Thanks for your perspective. I try to be mindful of how very lucky I am every day, but sometimes I still get anxious and depressed about the troubled times in which we live. I always appreciate a reminder of just how good we have it in spite of it all. This is a wonderful list.

[grace]

Does the media do this to us? Or is it an inner shift of balance, because I mentioned to Tom last night that I am feeling very confused and scared about the state of the world and I don't know why I feel it so intently right now. Your list was absolutely beautiful, I will dwell on my blessings today and not the price of gas!

[Marcia Cooke]

We all need this reminder once in a while! Thanks.

[Tan]

Don't watch the news. It is OK to be an ostrich sometimes. I think if each one of us does what we can to make the place we are better, it's all I can do. I feel pretty bad about driving 521 miles yesterday on earth day in my 20 mpg SUV. I am going to try to make up for it today by doing something to improve my neighborhood.

[marie in florida]

i'm right there with you on every point except 7. dunno when i'll be able to return to any kind of work; meanwhile i am protected and provided for. i don't much give a toot about clothes though, i have your opposite problem, i.e. i'm short and chubby.

[Wool Winder]

It's easy to take our blessings for granted until we write them down and really think about them.

[jillian]

Wonderful list!

[Hillary]

That is such a great list Margene. It is so nice to stop and think about postive things when the world is getting us down a bit. I also find hiding out with Food Network helpful.

[elizabeth]

I'm an ostrich too. I like your list, it definitely helps to focus on the good things in our lives. Happy Wednesday!

[Chris]

A good list, and a good reminder to appreciate the most basic aspects of my life, too. I can't listen to the news anymore - it's soul crushing...

[Rachel]

Can I join Norma with Amen and Ame? :)

Ostrich is the best solution! when I lived in Israel I used to ignore the news on a regular basis and it is really hard to do there, they have news on the radio every half hour and non stop whenever something happens,,,

I sure hope the sun will come and stay at your place soon!

[Beth S.]

I'm sorry you're feeling blue, and I hope it passes quickly, like a spring shower. :-)

[Heather Joins The Round]

So true. Current events regularly fill me with sadness and rage. I have to watch that it doesn't develop into depression. Sometimes you have to protect your own mental health by being a bit of an ostrich.

Great list.

[Luise]

Maybe you should print out your list and stick it on your refrigerator as a constant reminder that perhaps we can go on after reading the morning paper. As you say, some days you really wonder. Knitting is definitely a solace; at least it's creating things of beauty and possible usefulness as well as bringing more people and warmth into our lives. Can't have too much. We are lucky.

[Dianne Nichols]

I think you spoke for many of us today Margene..I've been in a basic 'funk' for weeks and couldn't figure it out..but I think it's just what you're saying.
Speaking for myself..I know I have entirely too much but I do appreciate it all and I do share my toys...try to do good deeds for those in need, but still sometimes it's overwhelming to know there are so many that don't have the things we take for granted..ie. a warm home, water, food, clothing etc..and that hurts my heart especially the elderly that have worked all their lives in anticipation of retirement...and then still have to find jobs to make ends meet..Hugs to all~

[Lucia]

There are lots of simple things I love about my life, and you and Carole covered most of them. How very lucky we are to have all our basic needs covered: I need to remember that whenever I start to sweat the small stuff.

[Laura]

I'm an Ostrich about anything I want to ignore.

I love your life too Margene - when you put it in a list like that who wouldn't? We all have enviable lives. I'm so happy that you're on my list of things that make life special. :) XOXOXOXOXOX

[Nonnahs]

That was a wonderful list, Margene! It's always good to stop and make note of things we are thankful for. Have a great day!

[Beebs]

Amen. and thank you.

[tiennie]

Wonderful list! Good to take stock of why we're blessed.

[Margaret]

What a great list and reminder of how much we take for granted sometimes! Thank you.

[artmomma]

Your list is a wonderful reminder to look closely at our blessings.
There is nothing wrong with being an ostrich; I gave up the news a couple years ago when personal issues were overwhelming enough and I simply could not stand any outside pain. Sometimes I feel a little ignorant of world events but Lawyerboy acts as my filter and keeps me up to date on anything very important. There is too much pain in the world otherwise, one must be selective.

[Teresa C]

It does help to look around at what is good, but I know what you mean. My head in the sand is a place I revert to occasionally.

[Cookie]

There is nothing wrong with hiding from the world from time to time. There are times when it feels like doing what we can is not enough and that the world is falling to bits. However, all we can do is what we can and remember that there is always good out there. Even if it's hidden from us.

[Carrie]

Sometimes I think being an ostrich isn't just okay, it's necessary. You remember that quote about if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention? Same thing for sad. But a person can't be sad or outraged all the time, it leads to hopelessness. A person just does what a person has to do to get by.

[Anne]

I was worried when you said "count your blessing"! Glad you found 10. :)

[Judy]

Don't Be Sad!
You are beautiful from within, and have a light that I see and a warmth I feel when I am around you. Close your eyes and see what I see and feel what I feel. Hopefully it will bring you the same joy it does me.
Hugs
I would give you one in person if I could!

[Pat K]

That is one beautiful list. Thank you.

[kathleen]

awwww....great list!

[AmyP]

Thanks for reminding me about what's important and how much I actually have simply by living in the Western World.

[claudia]

Ostriches unite!

And, I don't think its a bad thing to limit one's intake of terrible news.

[Elizabeth]

this is a super late comment (I'm behind on my reading - thesis and final exams) - but I agree with the water thing. You think it isn't such a big deal living in the United States, but it really is. I lived in Russia for two months and you couldn't drink the water out of the tap (we also didn't have hot water for a month and a half - but that's a different story).