pressure and friction

I came across this proverb: no pressure, no diamonds

Here's another: A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.--Chinese Proverb

Our struggles help us to polish ourselves and become the best we can be. I still wish the pressure and friction could be a little easier.  Positive thinking is not always easy.

I am grateful for what I have learned. I am grateful for so many great things in my life. I will focus on those and deal with the pressure as best I can. Wishing the same for you.

cloudiness

how do you feel about cloudy days?

if i'm already having a bad day, i find cloudiness comforting; like the universe is commiserating.  in fact, some sunny days feel like they are mocking me.

sometimes cloudiness is relaxing; a good time to curl up & cuddle or read.

too many consecutive cloudy days i find oppressive.  i have to summon all my strength to feel cheerful.  looking at bright colors helps, like my art on this page.  reaching out to friends is helpful, too.  now, this is silly, but i'll share anyway...sometimes i just smile at myself in the mirror.

how about you?  what do you do to get out of the doldrums?

survivors

I never thought about this until today, but this really is a great survivor story. To me it was just a spider song with a fun hand movement. In fact, I always thought we wanted the spider washed away. We should be pointing out to the young ones the idea that we can triumph over obstacles.

The itsy bitsy spider
went up the water spout
down came the rain and
washed the spider out
up came the sun
and dried up all the rain
and the itsy bitsy spider
went up the spout again!

Am I the only one just figuring this out?

positive futuristic fiction?

Have you ever noticed… Every movie, book & TV show I can think of that predicts the future, has something negative in mind.

I'll work on an idea of my own, but I have a challenge to all writers at large: tell us a story with a happy ending, or rather, a happy future.  I do realize that conflict makes a good story.  I'm not looking for a utopia, just a vaguely realistic and positive image of life in the years to come.

If you know of existing happy futuristic stories, please let me know. Thank you!

your country

often quoted, but how often heeded?...

Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country... President John F. Kennedy

a simple idea.  what if each of us tried it?

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person... Mother Theresa

my quiet call for action.  hope i follow through.  i'll let you know.

realistic vs optimistic

1st off, you couldn't pay me enough to be pessimistic.  it is not a valuable way to think.  daily life is miserable.  who wants to be miserable?  i find some people don't know any other way to see things.  i wish i could change their minds.  i've tried.  it's futile.  i think pessimists think i'm 'cute' or naive.

i am forever an optimist.  i look for the silver lining in every situation.  in awful situations, like death and destruction, i can only say that those things should help us feel grateful for everything or anything else good in our lives.

i am questioning realism vs optimism.  when does optimism get in the way of being realistic?  does my belief in miracles prevent me from seeing the truth right in front of me?

no.  i live with reality.  i even try to prepare for the bad things that COULD happen.  the true realists in my life help me to be prepared.

so, i will continue to be optimistic tempered by realism.  hope keeps me from being depressed about the future.  finding the good in each moment makes life enjoyable.  i believe life is meant to be enjoyed.

i'm sending out positive thoughts that all of us feel a little optimistic every day!

want and do and be

these 3 quotes are similar and important...

Want what you have, do what you can, be who you are.
Rev. Forrest Church, UU minister

It’s not having what you want
It’s wanting what you’ve got
Sheryl Crowe, “Soak Up the Sun”

Be you, be what you’re like, be like yourself
They Might Be Giants, “Whistling in the Dark”

if we can want and do and be like this, life can be a very positive experience. be proud of who you are and what you do! enjoy all the moments you can!