March 10, 2010 – And then…

Life is going on and on.  You feel pulled in a million
directions.  It’s rainy.  The house is dirty.  The kids are
screaming.  People are sick.  Some are dying.  Some have died. 
Life is moving.  Sometimes quicker than you’d like.  You’re trying
to hold on.  It’s a bit harder than you’d want.  You worry about
your kids.  And your husband.  And your parents.  And your
siblings.  And schools.  And Haiti.  And bottles for a 2 year old. 
And temper tantrums for a 5 year old.  And bank statements. 
And belly fat.  And… and… and….
And then…
You notice this…

Outside my upstairs window this morning, I
noticed my beautiful pink tulip tree starting to bloom. 


An affirmation that winter does end.   Our world is a cycle.  Life is precious.   Nature is beautiful.
~K

March 9, 2010 – Keep on’ Keeping On

I’ve been flying solo with the kids here a bit this week.  And they, the play castle, the lack of a vehicle… whatever.  It all got the best of me.  This morning, there was no Miss Peace of Mind, Postivity 365.   In fact, I was very, very negative.  I was down in the dumps.  I called my mom… weeping… cursing… wondering just how she did this job of parenting so many nights and days solo with more kids than I have.  

She told me it was hard.  To keep on moving on.  Continue with the day.   Move past the rough morning.

I then called a dear girlfriend.  I was honest about where I was (down in the dumps… way dumpy).  I dropped my child off to her.  Then I drove away and ran an errand or two before coming back.  We then had lunch together.   We enjoyed the weather together.   I think she enjoyed my company too, though at times I wondered if she was just hanging around to make sure I didn’t go off the deep end.  I don’t think so.  And if so, I’m still grateful.  We had dinner together.  Our kids went home and fell fast asleep.

I kept on moving.  Keep on keeping on’, right?  … even when the going gets tough.   I did just that today.  But I don’t pretend to have done it alone.  Today, I am more than grateful to a good friend and an inspiring mother who did  for years what I can barely do for a couple of days.  

~K

March 8, 2010 – More on Perspective

Do you see how some people make difficult things look easy? 

Tonight’s perspective came after a visit to a fast food restaurant/play area with a group of parents and children, myself and my kids.

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I was frustrated with myself for not being able to deal as well as I perhaps should have with the kids.   I was thinking about how I was sweating at the play castle, how I was chasing the kids, counting down the minutes until we could leave, wondering why I thought this was even a semi-entertaining idea and hoping that my behind was not hanging out of my pants while I was chasing a 2 year old up and inside of a play gym between bites of dinner, all the while silently gagging at the impending viruses now onto my hands and his mouth.   So disgusting.

And then I looked at the girl next to me, there alone, like me…  plus a kid.  She’s in a mini-skirt.  With make-up on.  Smiling.  Engaging.  Loving every minute of it.  Talking to her kids about what fun this was. 

I became frustrated at why I wasn’t  able to d-e-a-l better…

I took it another step and began to think of a friend I know who is dealing with a lot right now… and still doing it.  Still with the ability to call and laugh (and call and cry) but with shreds of positivity.  I then thought of a friend I know who is also dealing with a lot but who isn’t really dealing… just doing.   I’m not here calling people out or trying to covertly depict people in my life.  After all, I began this by confessing my complete inadequacies as a parent at a fast food joint tonight for starters….I’ve hardly room to talk or to point greasy germ covered fingers.

It’s just that all of this thinking and then this…. gives me a little more to think about.

“The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective. – Al Neuharth”

Food for thought tonight.   Her molehill was my mountain.   Maybe my molehill is her mountain.  Maybe not. 
Something to keep in mind, for me anyway.   Regardless of my excuses (or justifiable reasons) for being stressed overboard or hers for not being so, the bottom line, is her evening looked more fun… I want to be like that.    Not just in play castles (because really, that just MAY not be my thing) but in all aspects of my life… the ups the downs, the good times, the bad.   Something to think about… a work in progress here… but most certainly enjoying the work.

~K

March 7, 2010 – Oops!

The final thought from Dr. Suess was to post last night… and apparently I dropped the ball as you can see it’s posting on MONDAY night instead of Sunday night!

To end his birthday week, one of my favorites from Mr. Geisel (Dr. Suess’ real name was Theodor Geisel for those of you unaware of that little fact… he penned some of his beginner reader books by this name instead of Dr. Suess… it’s interesting how some sold… and how some didn’t).   Aside from that, here’s my final quote from one of the best. 

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” ~Dr. Suess

No, I don’t know why it’s typed larger than usual… I kind of like it though, and especially like this thought.   It reminds me of something my dad would like… and the way he’d tell us to live.  Good advice.   Harder to do than to say, but I find that anything worth doing always is.

An end to a week of birthday quotes and positivity from Dr. Suess.  I bet you read his books differently now… a little more than gibberish and rhymes, great stuff to share with the children in your life.

~K

March 6, 2010 – And then some…

And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed.  -- Dr. Seuss

From, Oh, The Places You’ll Go … a great gift for young graduates or those about to make life changes.  I read it to my daughter often, who is in kindergarten about how wide open her choices are and about how she will be successful.

Positivity… with reality attached.  Such an important message, especially to young people today-   you can do it-  you’ve been given so much and success is at your fingertips…  98 and 3/4 %…. but it’s not a given.   Do your share.  Be a part of your success.  Believe.  Work.   Succeed.

~K

March 5, 2010 – More Suess-isms…

Continuing with our birthday celebration, here’s another favorite of mind, taken from the just recently book turned movie, Horton Hears a Who.

 

“A person's a person, no matter how small.”
-- Dr. Seuss

Sure, in the book, this thought, though repeated, is made in reference to a tiny little speck who eventually turns into a “Who”… but if you take the time to listen to the point of the story and then if you can stop yourself for a moment and think of how our WORLD could change for the better if every person believed and respected this statement, it is phenomenal.

Again, Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

~K

March 4, 2010 – Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”   -- Dr. Seuss

 

In honor of Dr. Suess’ birthday this week… I intend to post a couple of quotes from this brilliant man.

So many people see his books as silly little children’s books, and they are that.  But they are also riddled with positivity, political perspective and environmental and social awareness.   Much of what he says is applicable to our lives and our world today.  And so, sor a few days… some Dr. Suess food for thought.

~K