Rays of sunshine

I am totally addictated to three types of blogs: decorating/crafting, fun crafty moms, and blogs where something tragic has happened and I check for updates. I realized that something bad or negative gives us something to talk about. If we talk about all the good stuff in our lives, we are afraid it will be perceived as bragging. So, for the sake of a conversation we (or at least I) talk about the negative. People are drawn to it and can relate to it, unless all you do is talk about the negative.

Instead of telling you about the the bad/annoying things that happened to me today like Tyler shattering a light bulb, I will share the best part of my day.

On my way home from picking Tyler up from daycare, I glanced back at him. The sun was streaming into the back seat through the trees on Wilson. Tyler had his adorable little face turned up into the sun with his eyes squinted almost closed and the BIGGEST, cheesiest smile you have ever seen on his face.

Isn't just like a baby to remind you to enjoy the simple things in life, like the sun streaming through the trees on a gorgeous fall day?

Gongysmos

gongysmos:

arguing-foolish disputatious reasoning. -reasonings that have ulterior and malicious. desires.

Imagine yourself as an Israelite crossing the Red Sea.

Would you enjoy the miracle you are part of, be amazed at the sight of the walls of water on each side of you, recognize the part you are playing in the history of mankind?

OR

Would you grumble about the long walk, the mud ruining your sandals, the uncomfortable feeling of cold muck in your toes? Would you be so engrossed in the negative that you miss the beauty of the miracle?

I often miss the beauty of the daily miracles around me because my head is down, my heart and mind concentrating on the negative. I think back to when I have muttered the words "nothing goes my way" when my suv is stuck in traffic on my way home from my job that provides for us with my beautiful baby in the back.

Why is it my nature to take small inconveniences in life and define my life by them. Why do I concentrate on all the bad and neglect to be in awe of the numerous blessings in my life. I KNOW how I should act, but that doesn't change the bad habit of negativity.

Time to stop gongysmosing...

Don't forget the plot...

Ever have it where someone says something that strikes a little too close to home? That has been happening to me quite often in the last few months about the same topic...my attitude. I know that I have been negative lately (ok, for a few years...) when I have so much to be grateful for. I know that if I notice that my attitude sucks, other people around me noticed it WELL before I did.



Yesterday at church, the series on Phillipians and why the best letters come from prison continued. Rob Bell spoke about Phillipians 2, verse 14-16.



Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.


Well, that caught my attention, because lately I don't do anything without grumbling or complaining. Anyone else have that, where the grass ALWAYS looks greener on the other side and nothing goes your way? The message was incredibly compelling to me and I need to go deeper. On that note, my posts this week will be breaking down the reasons why we, as a human nature, grumble and complain. I need to fix the root problem to my not so sunny disposition...



Tomorrow: Gongysmos




Want to hear the service?

Some of my favorite websites...

Some fun websites for your browsing enjoyment...

http://www.hostesswiththemostess.com/

http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/

http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

http://blissfullydomestic.com/

http://www.thesavvyorganizer.com/

http://www.designyourwall.com/

http://www.designaglow.com/

http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/

Chicago Day 4

Our last day in Chicago! Tyler and I headed off to Navy Pier where he got SOAKING wet playing in the water at the Children's Museum. Like a good mom, all of his extra clothes were packed up at the hotel...so he went around the rest of the time in a sweatshirt and diaper only. Hey-I thought it was cute. Speaking of cute and biased mothers, I uploaded a ton of pictures because I couldn't narrow the selection more...and they are out of order. : )

Like those dirty hand prints on the glass? Reminds him of home....