Holds Upon Happiness

I read a recent newspaper article that outlined the many disasters and downfalls currently impacting our country. The writer described the many problems facing society and how those situations affected the psyche of individuals involved.

Some people are hunkering down, stockpiling food, loading up ammunition and getting ready for a tough haul. Some are blaming everyone from politicians to foreign interests for their woes.

I heard an interesting express this weekend in Sunday School. Larry Perkins asked the class if when viewing situations, were we “the glass is half full” people or were we part of “the glass is half empty” crowd. Amusing enough, he said he had always viewed the particular scenario as simply “half”. It is what it is.

Here’s my Pollyanna-PR-chick spin on the world today.

Sure, I would like for gas to be cheaper. I can remember the 70s gas lines and I have no interest in sharing that experience with my children. But there’s no reason why six of us who live in Neosho and work in the same office building in Joplin always drive six separate cars every day. Recently we’ve started car pooling and it’s made the short daily trips and the long-haul runs to the middle part of the state much more bearable.

Food prices are higher. Combine the high cost of eating out with the gas it takes to get to the restaurant and that means we’re cooking at home more these days. Allow me to clarify. Its summer, which means Big Al is grilling more these days. He’s a master in the backyard chef realm and I’m more than happy to share the daily cooking schedule.

The weather has been at best a drag this year and at worst deadly. I am an absolute baby when it comes to tornadoes. The recent spring storm that leveled Pump & Pantry, went over our neighborhood, but spared our roof. I am in awe and absolute respect for the families who have weathered the storms and the subsequent devastation. We are blessed to live in a community that so quickly responds to and takes care of their friends.

I heard the following quote as part of a workshop I attended today on ethical decision making. “It is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible.” Jane Austin

Here are a few of my current “holds upon happiness”:
Walking Fez at dusk just as the fireflies start their glowing liftoffs
Bing cherries
Fireworks
Diet raspberry lemonade
A great summer book
The smell of freshly cut hay
Attending a T-ball game at Morse park
Test messages from Sister saying she’s o.k.
Watching the boys play trampoline basketball
Long, “change the world” conversations with friends

I’ve experienced everything above, now that we’ve hunkered down and started to watch our pennies. Life can be scary. Life can be beautiful. They both exist as two of the “it’s just half” examples of the glass. I’m grabbing hold of my happiness while I can.