Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Giving Thanks

I am going to try something new today and give a list of things I am thankful for in my life. Hopefully, it will help me focus on the positives in my world.

1. I'm thankful I have a wonderful, caring husband who I've been married to for 13 years.
2. I'm thankful for Peter and Liam, I couldn't ask for two more inspiring children.
3. I'm thankful that I'm healthy.
4. I'm thankful that I have friends all over the U.S who like me for who I am.
5. I'm thankful for good teachers for my kids.
6. I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head and food on my table.
7. I'm thankful that I have enough money to pay my bills.
8. I'm thankful for my extended family who is always there for me.

That's what I came up with so far. I know I have been given other blessings that I have forgotten, but this list makes me feel a little bit better. The items above are in no particular order, or else I would have had to list them all on number one. And of course I'm thankful for my faith in God.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Mean people

Today is one of those days where I'm trying to be happy despite all the chaos around me. I am a generally optimistic person and I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. But, I find that I am struggling lately with being optimistic and seeing the best in people. Just when I think that things are going pretty good, someone does something that throws me for a loop.
Last night a parent on my son's football team sent an email to the entire team giving vague references to problems he feels the team is having, and insinuating that Ben is putting the players in danger of emotional harm because of his coaching style. This same parent also gave a vague threat in this email saying that he is looking into legal action because of things he has recently learned about the team.
Ben is a VOLUNTEER head coach who stepped up to do the job when no one else would. He has been trying very hard to make it a good experience for all the kids on the team. I don't understand how people can be so darn mean! That's what it is, just mean. Whatever happened to do unto others as you would have them do unto you?????? Wouldn't life be better if we all tried harder to follow this rule?
I am far from perfect and I make my share of mistakes, but I do not ever remember a time where I was mean just for the sake of being mean.
It's just kinda been a rough couple of days...I'm sure I'll get my optimism back...I just have to realize that I can't control other people's behavior.