"Keep on the Sunnyside"

How many times have we heard the expression "Life is hard." Yeah, we've all heard it hundreds of times and it's true. Life, at times, can be a real bummer.

But what I've learned in my decades on this old planet is my attitude toward each day can determine whether the next 24 hours are going to be good or lousy.

"Your attitude determines your altitude" is one of my favorite cliches. If one decides to make the most of each moment, something miraculous happens. The heart fills with gratitude and things really begin to look pretty good.

Just being alive feels good. Ever spend time with a friend who is getting chemotherapy? I have and when I walked out, a new appreciation for every facet of life filled my entire being.

Gratitude for everything and every one around us helps us to appreciate life. Pretty tea cups, a delicious piece of fruit, a walk outside, clouds, laughter, and love all make us start to realize how wonderful it is to be alive. Everywhere we look there are more things to be thankful for---babies with their sweet innocence, lunch with a dear friend, mail, soft and warm sheets, our faithful pets, flowers on the table(especially red roses, like the ones shown above. They were an anniversary gift to me from my husband!)....you get the idea.

Our hobbies can even instill a sense of deep gratitude. For me, one of my utter joys is collecting dolls. Every new "find" makes me so happy and delights the inner child within.
(Here's one of my favorite dolls who always make me smile!)








(Isn't she just a little pumpkin?)


We can even be grateful for certain songs. One of the best around is, "Keep On The Sunny Side." It's from one of my favorite movies, too, "O Brother Where Art Thou?" I've played this song in my car hundreds of times. Rather than just listening to the positive message of the song, I try to live it. Some days I'm more successful than others.

So, to paraphrase the song, "Keep on the Sunny Side" of life! It'll make you smile every time.

WHAT ARE SOME OF LIFE'S LITTLE THINGS,OTHER THAN THE OBVIOUS, THAT FILL YOU WITH GRATITUDE?