If you are reading this it’s because you’ve noticed I’ve added as second page to my blog.
(You go Spudsie! 
)
If you are reading this it also means I’ve figured out HOW to add a second page to my blog. No small task for blogging newbie. Grin.
I originally wanted to title this page simply “Happiness is…..” I wanted it to contain pictures of things that make me happy.
And then I realized that’s not quite right. As Coach Jim keeps reminding me (and anyone else he talks to), happiness is a choice. To quote his recent blog entry, “Happiness is not something you do, it’s something you are. It’s not stuff, it’s how you feel after you do that “stuff.” It’s something you carry inside of you. It’s a feeling you can nurture and strengthen through practice.”
So I decided to add words to the title. To make a slight adjustment to what the page will be.
I want to keep track of things that help me choose happiness. Of things I’m grateful for.
And this is the place I’ll do it.
So here’s what I’m grateful for today. (And I’ll probably create a new gratitute journal page each month.)
10-31-08
Last entry for October. I decided it was worth breaking away from the red-themed pictures. Today (and yesterday) I’m beyond grateful for my new KINDLE!!! Yup. That’s right. I finally made a decision. Wow! Why was I waiting? This is amazing!!!! I’m sure there are books I’ll purchase a paper copy of after reading them on my Kindle–but being able to take dozens (or hundreds!) of books with me where ever I go? Wow! And the dictionary feature? How’d I live without it? Before it arrived I told Mr. Spuds I’d send it back to Amazon if I didn’t like it. After using it for a couple of hours? I told him it would be sent back to Amazon…..when someone pried it from my cold, dead hands! Love it!
So, I may not be around my blog for a while…..in fact, I may not be anywhere except curled up in my chair by my window with my Kindle for a while! (Coach Jim- If i’m late for a coaching call at least you’ll know why I’ve lost track of the time! 
)
Happiness……hundreds of books at my fingertips at any given moment. This is beyond cool!
10-25-08
I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am for prayer. For the ability to take any and all concerns, fears, hopes, requests, odd thoughts, or whatever I want to God. All of my family and a good number of treasured friends live out of state. It is a huge comfort to be able talk to God at any point about concerns, requests, praises, or whatever about any of them. I don’t have to worry about if God’s awake or asleep, if he’s too busy, if he’s tired of hearing from me, if he’s dealing with another crisis. I don’t have to worry about annoying him with “petty” stuff. He’s always ready with a smile on his face, “Hey there Ms. Potato….whatcha got for me now? Pull up a chair and sit a while. I invented time so I’ve got more than enough for you Spudsie.”
Instant access to the Almighty…..happiness beyond understanding.
10-24-08
Politics. Yup. This potato’s all geeked-up over politics. I know….I know….I’m odd. I can’t help it. I love it! It really does energize me. I’ve had 3 different sources (in this week alone!) reccomend that people turn off the political news and try to get away from the negativity. I must be really odd. Because I don’t find it negative or draining at all! Yes–I see the same ads the rest of the world does. And I chose to ignore them. I don’t like them so I don’t listen to them. Instead I listen to what the candidates say. I watch how the interact when in the presence of each other. I watch what their campaign staffers say on political talk shows. And I love it! I love looking beyond the sniping, the snarking (is that a word?). I love watching and listening for the nuggets of truth. I love watching the reporters get so excited over the possibilites of what will happen in 11 days. I love the enthusiasm they all share.
I don’t believe either party is evil. I believe both candidates are remarkable men. They both love their country. They simply have differing opinions of what is best for the country. I believe they truly respect each other and see the good in each other beyond their differences. Happiness…….respecting different opinions while still honoring your own.
10-23-08
Glasses. Vision. Different perspectives. They all tie together. And today I’m grateful for all of them. And I’m grateful for people sharing their perspectives with me, their “version” and vision of me. Because it seems everyone sees me a little differently than I see myself. Mr. Spuds, Coach Jim, Jean Claude, my friends in Maine and Colorado and Nashville…..they all see me from a different perspective. While I wonder just what exactly it is they see, I’m grateful for their insights. Happiness…..it’s all in how you look at it.
10-20-08
There’s sooo much I’m thankful for today…….4 day weekends, perfect fall weather, hungry birds, sleeping in until 9AM, TIVO. The list goes on and on. The thing I’m most thankful for today is my pen. My virtual pen. It gives me a way to get many of the thoughts that have been stuck in my head for far too long outta there! They (whoever “they” are) say the pen is mightier than the sword. And I’m beginning to understand that in a completely new way. Happiness……is growing knowledge and a little wisdom.
10-19-08
So does today’s picture seem obvious? Maybe I’m grateful for jewelry? Maybe I’m grateful for wealth? For luxuries? Nope. That’s not it. I’m grateful for people living their dreams–and the example they are for me.
A few years ago I walked into a small, non-chain jewelry store. I was interested in purchasing one simple necklace for myself. My budget was at the very bottom of what the owner typically creates. He didn’t let that influence the way he interacted with me. He took about an hour to educate me about gemstones and what to look for. He introduced me to spinels (that’s what the picture is). Bill (the goldsmith and owner) truly loves what he does. Every day he loves going to “work.” And it shows. It doesn’t matter who comes into his shop. He’s delighted to talk to everyone about his passion. And I’m grateful for his example.
10-18-08
No….I haven’t forgotten about my gratitude journal….I’ve just been focused on a few other things. So what have I been thankful for recently? I’ve been very thankful for friends, for family, for good news, for patience in trying times, for having a different perspective from the rest of the planet. Okay…maybe not different from the entire planet….just different than a number of people around me. Grin!
And mainly, I’m grateful for my courage to try new things, new reactions, new ways of thinking. I’m still not “very good” at it (yes…that’s an assessment), but for a person who pretty much lives in a mood of fear, I’m surprised at how much I’ve been willing and able to try new things. So I’m grateful for that hidden courage.
10-12-08
Today I give thanks for birds. Big ones. Little ones. Loud ones. Cute ones. Shy ones. Flightless ones. All of em! They help remind me how much God loves me. They remind me how wonderful and complex the universe is. And they remind me that even though I may be perfectly able to gather food on my own, it doesn’t lessen me if I take help (or birdseed) when it’s available. It’s just smart. Happiness….it’s for the birds!
10-11-08
Victories–regardless of how slight or how “messy”–make it easier to choose happiness. Today I’m grateful the Buckeyes won their game. It wasn’t what anyone would call a “pretty” win–in fact the offense didn’t even score a touchdown. Sigh. A victory is still a victory. Go Bucks!!
10-10-08
Today it’s the stock market that helps me choose happiness. Bear with me. (Groan! Really bad pun there Spudsie. Bear market…..bear with me….groan!) It’s a challenge to choose happiness with the market losing 40% of it’s value. That means that it’s entirely possible my company will likely lose about 30% of it’s current revenue. And I suspect that’s going to be the cause of a lot of tears within my company. Belt-tightening is one thing. I don’t know that we can tighten it that much without some major sacrifices. Despite all that, I’ve been able to look at the positive things that can come out of it. I’ve been able to be upbeat. And positive about the future–even though it will probably be hitting my pocketbook pretty hard. I’m truly at peace with it and am anticipating the positve things it can bring. Happiness while facing tough times–that’s a new one for me.
10-9-2008
With apologies to Clark, today I’m grateful for fall colorS. I had an appointment after work today. And the drive to and from this appointment was amazing. The leaves are starting to turn amazing colors. God’s glory in full view. And as tired (mentally, physically and emotionaly) as I am today the colors still warmed my heart and made me smile. Ahhhh…..happiness is a wonderful thing!
10-8-08
Here’s an odd one for ya. Today I’m grateful to be alive! No….there was no near-death trauma, my life wasn’t actually at risk. A couple of years ago I signed up to received Google alerts for my name. (My REAL name….not Spudsie) Today at work I received one. That’s pretty unusual since my name isn’t all that common. It was an alert that someone in Ohio with MY NAME had passed away. Gulp. There’s nothing like getting a Google alert informing you of your own death! I e-mailed the alert to Mr. Spuds. His comment? “Guess I should have attended the funeral.” LOL!!! I love that man!!
10-7-08
Today’s a quick, shallow entry. I’m grateful for the BBC series “Dr. Who” No real reason. I’ve just noticed I smile and laugh a lot while watching the show. Maybe it speaks to the geek in me! Maybe it’s because of the Doctor’s compassion even to his mortal (and yet eternal) enemy–the Daleks. Whatever it is, I’m grateful for the hour of entertainment and escape it provides.
10-6-2008
Today I’m grateful for cell phones. And all technology that allows me to be in touch with friends and family all around the world. Cell phones make it easier for me to choose happiness because they allow me to quickly (if not instantly) be in touch with people who love and support me. (And they allow me to give a virtual scratch behind the ears to my favorite dog in Nashville. There ya go Minnie! And we all know happiness is a warm puppy!)
10-5-2008
Today I’m grateful and thankful for two healthy, fully functioning kidneys. And for the rest of my good health. Yes, there is a reason for mentioning kidneys specifically. I’d prefer not to write about it right now. It’s a shadowy day in Spudsie-ville. Choosing happiness isn’t always easy.
10-4-2008
10-3-2008
Yeah, it’s shallow. I’m grateful for beautiful new red boots! (Aren’t they amazing???)
It’s more than just the boots. I’m grateful for my ability have an income that allows me to spend money on such superfluous, splendid shoes. I’m grateful to have a husband that encourages me to spend (at least in reasonable doses) money on completely frivolous items that make me smile. I’m grateful the website 6pm.com exists to feed my shoe addiction! And I’m grateful that fall is here….which means it’s boot season!! And it’s always easier to choose happiness in boot season.
If you keep up this quality of content, Spudsie, you’ll eventually have enough content for a book. Cool!
Wouldn’t that be something?! A book written by a potato!! Grin!
The content’s been easy…..there’s always stuff I’m grateful for at the end of the day.
The tricky part? Managing to find a red picture to go with it!
Thanks for the encouragement Jim!
Spudsie,
Lonnie.
You are a well spoken, well writen, well read, becon of light and the world is a better place because you are in it.
Thank you,
Maggie Mae’s “master”
Lonnie-Thank you for your humbling and encouraging words! I’ve been sick all weekend and your words offer a boost of energy that is quite unexpected and uplifting. Thank you! Spudsie