"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Pollyanna Wednesday

I thought we could play the Pollyanna Game today. Do you ever see the movie Pollyanna? I admit too much of Pollyanna-ing might be too much - on the other hand - sometimes you just need to do it.

"Pollyanna's philosophy of life centers on what she calls "The Glad Game" an optimistic attitude she learned from her father. The game consists of finding a silver lining in the darkest clouds, something in everything to be glad about. Now isn't this a wonderful attitude to have?"

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME!

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

As I was writing in my grateful journal this morning and I hate admitting this, but sometimes lately I have forgotten a word of two. Like the word repeal. I was searching for that word in my head for two days! I will admit I get tiny little panic attacks when I can't remember - I wonder if it is AD. So my Pollyanna statement today is - No matter what happens God will always be with me! - (to the end. Life is just a short visit until you get home. Whatever is - it will be okay!)

Okay do you have a trouble or worry that you are willing to turn around and share? Would love to hear.

"You will not find poetry anywhere unless you bring some of it with you."
– Joseph Joubert

And sometimes it's true for joy and happiness - if it isn't around you - bring it to yourself!

x_5c59c1d

Chatty's Giveaway starts Sunday.

38 comments:

MadSnapper said...

this is a hard post for me, i am the opposite of Pollyanna, not sure what that would be. as for the forgetting the words, been there done that, even when commenting, i will know what i want to say but the word escapes me and sometimes i ask hubby what is the word that means whatever and i describe it, sometimes he has it sometimes not. don't worry about AD because if you think you do you don't. if you have it you will not know you don't know the word.

Holly said...

Love the Pollyanna outlook on life. Have a great Wednesday

Nancy's Notes said...

Some days, the Pollyanna outlook is the only way to go! Enjoy your day!

Cheri said...

Love the outlook that Pollyanna gives...hard to remember all the time. Thanks for the reminder.

Debbie said...

This was great!

I will remind the family who sits in front of me in church that they need to be thankful for that voice of mine. LOL

Didn't she also think you should find the "glad text" in the Bible? I like that notion too.

betty said...

This was great to think about things in a different perspective, Sandie. LOL, I'll play along, I'm thankful for the son who calls asking to borrow money here and there because that means I have a son and I have the money to lend him.

I do think as we age we do forget words, I know I find myself wondering how to spell something that I've spelled a lot. Next time you are in to your doctor, do talk about it with him/her. Maybe it will help put your mind at ease about things.

I did hear today is National Alzheimer's Day.

I hope it is a good one, Sandie, and you are right, God is always with you!

betty

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

I like playing this game... do it often myself.

Enjoyed reading your list! One thing I remind myself occasionally when I sigh over having to do up the dishes...again.... being thankful for all those pots, pans and dishes because it means I ate well, as I do every day, and for that I am thankful.

Remington said...

Beth here....that is one of my favorite movies....we should all have the type of attitude....there is so much to be thankful for! GREAT POST!

TexWisGirl said...

always good to keep that perspective...

BECKY said...

Hi Sandie! As a young girl, I LOVED that movie with Hayley Mills. I couldn't imagine WHY everyone got so aggravated at her "gladness" all the time! I am definitely a Pollyanna. I try to, and usually do find things to be glad about. In fact, you know that I just posted about gratitude and bliss!

Bev said...

I love the Pollyanna story...but its hard to live that way! And if we know the WAY...why do we always struggle!
Have a great Pollyanna day!

Knitty said...

I am thankful that I struggle with excess pounds because it means I have never gone hungry.

I am thankful for idiots in the news including politicians and celebrities because it means my circulatory system is working (as my blood boils) and my brain functions well enough to recognize stupidity.

I am thankful for warped senses of humor paired with good vision because it means my friends see through my sarcasm and know what I really mean. ;-)

Raindrops and Daisies said...

I love the Pollyanna outlook on life too!

I am thankful for all the laundry that I have to do daily because it means that I still have my 3 children and hubbie here!

Jill said...

Wonderful outlook!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

The Pollyanna philosophy is a good one. I have the same problem (comes with middle age, I think!) about not being able to think of a word I want to use or a name I should remember. I love the list, it's a great reminder that we have much to be thankful for. And most of all, as you said, to know that God is always with us. Always. Wow! In this ever changing world, that is what I hold on to. Great post!

Desiree said...

Another enjoyable post. I try to adopt a Pollyanna outlook for most things, but certainly couldn't keep it up constantly. Forgetting words? Yes, that happens to me, too.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I remember the glad game. Today I'm glad I have Tennessee Jam Cake for dessert (I made it yesterday)! Simple things make me happy :-)

Patti said...

I am generally a PollyAnna, but occasionally, I stumble for a day or two. Then I get back up, dust myself off, and get my act together again.

I wish you a wonderful day.

Love,
Patti

Angela said...

That is a great way to look at things! I think we all forget words at different times. I know I do it all the time with the kids. I'll tell them it is in the and I can't think of the name of the room!

Hugs,
Angela

Anonymous said...

I like the pollyanna outlook on life! It should be so simple but yet it's so difficult sometimes.
Will remember that next time one of my children asks for a loan of money, funny though...they always ask around my payday! Very interesting...hmmmm.

Hope you're having a great Wednesday!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

YOU are such a sweetheart! I loved that last one and my friend, you are definitely loved! Your blog is pure joy to me! I have such a nice time when I visit you. Always! I laugh, I think..and anyone who can make me think..well..they have my vote!
Hugs and love,
Mona

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is your best post EVER, Sandie!!!! I am copying the whole thing, even your comments, and recording it on our prayer line, I will give you credit! I LOVE your comments at the end, too!!!

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

I'm always glad to get a reminder to be grateful. I think we all are. We just forget it sometimes.

Desiree said...

Both times I have emailed you, my mail was returned citing non delivery issues. Wonder what Pollyanna would make of that?

Michaele said...

I am thankful for Chatty because without her life would be dull, dull, dull.

Ann said...

The older I get the more of a Pollyanna I become. Sometimes I think it works against me though. I always say that things will work themselves out. However there are things that I should take care of and I put off doing because "things will work themselves out" Not everything works itself out on it's own.
Did that even make sense? Well it did in my head anyway :)

Susan said...

Oh, Sandie, that was a good post. Sometimes I find myself worrying about what "might" be or "could" happen. I quickly stop. Realizing God is in charge puts my mind at ease.

Take care and have a good day on Thursday. Susan

Anonymous said...

Its been many many years since I've seen the movie Pollyanna, and I am certainly not an eternal optimist but I am doing my best to keep my pessimism at bay. It's not easy but I'd really like to get rid of that aspect of my personality!

Belle said...

Thanks for this positive message. I loved that movie when I was a kid. I try to think of reasons to be thankful all the time. It certainly makes my life happier.

Mevely317 said...

OK, I have to admit ... there used to be times I wanted to "b"-slap that Pollyanna to the curb!

Now, I don't dare try her approach out-loud, but these last few years I've surprised myself, "working" her philosophy on "me, myself and I."

'Think if more people discovered the sweet camaraderie of Blog-land, there wouldn't be much need for psychiatrists!

Marie said...

I love the Pollyanna outlook on life! Sometimes I forget and I have to remind myself to find the good in whatever the situation may be.

Unknown said...

When chew'in on life's grissel,
just give ah whistle!
Stay on the sunnyside of life!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I try to be Pollyanna, but sometimes, life gets in the way! LOL!

As far as forgetting, what was it you asked???

XO,

Sheila

Pondside said...

Pollyanna was my favorite girlhood movie! I find that life is way easier, and the hard times more bearable if faced with a grateful attitude. I'm not saying it comes without effort - but it's worth it!

Tanna said...

Oh, Sandie. Last night I was trying so hard to remember someone's name. No matter how hard I tried, I could only get her first name and the first part of her last name!! Scary!! I still can't remember it. Gonna have to go try to find something with it written down. Yikes! I'm going to try to take comfort from Sandra's comment. =/ blessings ~ tanna

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I love this attitude, I like the one about the couch potato husband! Thanks for reminding me....

Sally said...

Good post. I'm thankful when I run out of toilet paper; it means the girls have been here. :)

Sharon said...

I'm not by nature a Pollyanna - tend to be a Negative Nellie or Wilma Worrywart - but I'll give this a go...

I am thankful for my husband's broken ankle, because it means we get to spend more time together.

And I totally get the forgetting the word thing. Sometimes I'll get stopped by trying to remember the word I want to say - but then I am amazed at the stupid OTHER words that come to my mind.

It goes something like this:

"Honey, have you seen my refrigerator...I mean, couch...um, broom..." - when all I'm trying to *retrieve* is the word glasses.

It was a good brain - I mourn it often...