Optimism

(Wanna play along with Tiffany's "Optimism: Let's get linky with it"? Click here.)

It's not too hard for me to be optimistic.

Thanks to my mom, I was wired that way. While my dad was the scrooge-y, glass-half-empty kind of guy, mom was the every-cloud-has-a-silver-lining kind of gal.

I'm so blessed to have inherited that particular gene, let me tell you. I think my kids would think so, too. What a great gift to give to your children: the power of positive thinking.

My sweet sister, Rhonda (who still doesn't blog, and rarely reads mine unless prompted...ahem), sent me this email the other day. Perfect timing for a post about optimism...

"Any day I'm vertical is a good day"...that's what I always say.
If you ask me,"How are you?"
I'll answer, "GREAT!" because in saying so, I make it so.
When Life gives me dark clouds and rain, I appreciate the moisture that brings a soft curl to my hair.
When Life gives me sunshine, I gratefully turn my face up to feel its warmth on my cheeks.
When Life brings fog, I hug my sweater around me and give thanks for the cool shroud of mystery that makes the familiar seem different and intriguing.
When Life brings snow, I dash outside to catch the first flakes on my tongue, relishing the icy miracle that is a snowflake.
Life's events and experiences are like the weather - they come and go, no matter what my preference.
So, what the heck?!I might as well decide to enjoy them.
For indeed, there IS a time for every purpose under Heaven.
And each season brings its own unique blessings."

excerpt from Mac Anderson's book "Learning to Dance in the Rain"