Life's Lemons

I remember what my great grandmother said: I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and people who love me. I am blessed. I also remind myself that I am living a life which the vast majority of the world's population is not fortunate enough to experience. I find it calming to look at the stars at night and say thank you to the universe. I remind myself that I just want to keep what I have. I have plenty. I am fortunate. I make my girls giggle. I have my husband tell me a dirty joke. There is nothing better than laughter.

I try to put things into perspective- we lost our two yr old nephew in December and since then things that were once major have a different meaning. I remind myself that my son is happy and healthy, my marriage is solid and we're both employed- we have a roof over our heads and food on the table every day; the extended family is healthy and connected. Beyond that, the rest is just icing on the cake!

My husband and I gripe so often about not having enough "date nights" or time to go to a movie or just time in general, but have made a real effort to cut-back on that language. We turn off all electronics for an hour EVERY night and spend it together as a family- puzzles, books, coloring, whatever. This includes letting the machine pick-up calls (although people have actually stopped calling during that hour, which is great!). Spending that focused time together reminds us both that what really matters is already in place & it doesn't cost a dime!

I asked a similar question during a bleak period in June. I got some great responses, so I thought I'd share:

http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/1955201067419566081

Well, I always try to see the glass as half full instead of half empty.
Also, for every crappy thing I go through, I know there are so many people who go through much worse.
I try to always have a smile or a compliment for someone.
And, when we pray, we always say, "Father, please bless those who have so much less than we do, those who are hurting or hungry, and keep them in your care".

Another thing I love to do is listen to Billie Holiday....Pennies From Heaven

A long time ago
A million years BC
The best things in life
Were absolutely free.
But no one appreciated
A sky that was always blue.
And no one congratulated
A moon that was always new.
So it was planned that they would vanish now and them
And you must pay before you get them back again.
That's what storms were made for
And you shouldn't be afraid for
Every time it rains it rains
Pennies from heaven.
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven.
You'll find yor fortune falling
All over town.
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down.
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers.
If you want the things you love
You must have showers.
So when you hear it thunder
Don't run under a tree.
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me

Count your blessings! Actually write them down and read them. We get so caught up in our daily lives and problems that we forget how good we really have it. You have food, a home, a family, your health, whatever. We all have things that threaten to drag us down, but being grateful for the good in our lives help keep things in perspective. Whatever's bothering you right now, look for what good can come from it. Sometimes it's just being able to find the courage to deal with it, but isn't that something to be proud of?

Well when life hands me lemons I demand tequila and salt. =) It usually makes me feel better.

I try to look around my house and see and be thankful for all the things we do HAVE...

like each other, and a roof over our heads, and food to eat and clothes to wear and the ability to build a nice fire, pop in a movie and have a family movie night! It's the little things, right?!

This usually helps me put things into perspective....that and I continue the mantra in my head over and over again.."Everything will be OK, Everything will be OK"!

I go get pampered or take sometime to myself. If we can afford it a little shop therapy never hurts hehe. ((HUGS))

I remind my self that God is in control and that you can look around and find something good if you try. It helps to work on not getting mad and just LOL at it all. It is a ohh well, live moves on thing. Has helped a lot lately.

Get a cool and funky journal...and EVERYDAY...write down the things you appreciate and are grateful for. It's AMAZING how such a simple thing as a gratitude journal can turn things around! Some days I am just grateful I remembered to brush my teeth..and that goes on the list!

Also..a wonderful book: "Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting" Great great great!

.... "see" that things could be worse....

I was recently in a car accident (not my fault)... although I was SO upset and we won't have our car back for 2-3 weeks while it is fixed... at least no one got hurt. Me and my son were in the car. I was the vehicle that got hit. It was a major accident... caused by another Mom. BUT, at least... the accident... was not caused by me.
So, that is the sliver lining.
And besides the accident I was in, other REALLY sucked things happened to my family and my Mom... ALL within the past 1 week.

But there is a silver lining..... to everything.

all the best,
Susan

Do something nice for someone else. Try volunteering at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen or food pantry. Or volunteer holding and feeding border babies (these are babies that have been abandoned at the hospital or don't get visitors but need the human touch.

Counting your blessings also helps put better prespective on things. Start reall simple like the fact that you have electricity, internet access, and friends routing for you on Mammapedia and know that trouble doesn't last always.

Someone recently recommended "The Secret" to me. I bought the book and also signed up online for their newletters. It has been a very rough year and I sometimes just need that little reminder that I have alot of"UPs" in my life along with the downs. Also I just keep reminding myself -this too shall pass. I actually have it on my cell phone screen so it is visable everyday. Talk a walk and enjoy nature. Get a manicure or something special for yourself. Put on calming music and take a bubble bath. Write down 3 things you are grateful for each day. Try to find joy in the little things such as your coffee being warm, the sun is shining, a flower. Sometimes we only notice the bigger things. I know it is hard to keep making lemonade from lemons but just keep reminding yourself it will get better. I hope it all turns around for you soon. I always say with out the bad times we wouldn't be able to appreciate the good times. Best of luck to you.

I hate when other people say this... but it really can be worse. For example, for the last 3 years my family has had to deal with some crazy drama but the other day I caught up with a friend of mine whose mom just died - they think her mom's boyfriend poisoned her for life insurance money and who was cheating on her mom. They were supposed to have an autopsy done but the funeral home cremated her mom's body due to a mix up. On top of that, her own family is going through financial and emotional struggles. I sat across from her thinking - how the heck do I come close to supporting her through all this? OMG - does this happen in real life to my life/stress/drama really isn't so bad after all. I went home that night, hugged my little daughter, gave my man a head and neck massage and felt relieved of all my little/big blessings =)

I'm not sure just how lemony your life is right now but I do hope you are about to squeeze a little sweetness out of it =)