There is so much bad stuff going on all over. My eyes glaze over when I read the paper. I fear I’m getting desensitized with the frequency.
It’s global and local. It’s Aleppo, Berlin and the person down the street.
How have I been so successful with my “duck and weave,” dancing around to miss the arrow of adversity?
I was lucky to be born where I am. There are no wars going on. There is food to eat and shelter that isn’t being bombed. Is that the luck of the draw? Meant to be? Why me? (Usually we ask that question when the bad stuff happens but it works either way.)
Then I look at who gets struck with a deadly illness or is killed in an accident. I recently heard about the husband of a former co-worker who just went into hospice. You know what that means. No hope. He’s younger than me. Why him? Why anyone?
I’ve had my share of tragedy but it doesn’t measure up to what I see. Even when I wish for things, I have so much to be grateful for.
I am warm, healthy and not hungry, with friends (furry and otherwise) and a beloved husband. For this holiday I will focus on “the happy.”
Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, I wish you the best. I hope you are not cold or hungry. I hope you have friends and family to support you. I hope you can find the happy in your life.
This deserves a big AMEN!
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AMEN SISTAH!
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Enjoy the Happy, Kate!
Hope your Holidays are Merry & Bright.
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I know you always find the happy!
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I like this F. Scott Fitzgerald quote: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”
Probably in all of human history there have been wars, pestilence, famine, lovers’ quarrels, etc. It’s unrealistic to pretend the “bad stuff” doesn’t exist. In fact, we may need to pay attention so we can help someone near or far who is suffering. But if we wait until every problem is solved before finding and enjoying happiness in our own lives, it will be a long wait indeed. We can usually find beauty and happiness all around us if only we open our eyes.
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Beautifully said. Love the quote! You are right in that tragedy is always around just at different places. Some years I manage it better than others. I am intent on looking for the happy this year and praying for the sad.
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Yes, well said.
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Great post! We always do have things to be thankful for, so much we take for granted. Merry Christmas to you and hope it is Happy and filled with joyful moments!
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May your holiday also be filled with happy.
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Thanks so much Kate. You have eloquently put into words what continues going through my mind…but I haven’t been able to express out loud.
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Thank you!
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LIfe seems to provide little treasures to make us smile if we look – your post is one of those. Merry merry. Jingle on!
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Yes. We need to notice them and take joy in them.
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One top happy place for me is coming to your blog. You bring me happiness and joy.
Merry Christmas, Kate!
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Thanks Anne. I hope I wasn’t too depressing today.
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Depressing is false cheer. Your post speaks to our actual, messy, conflicted human lives.
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Conflicted is the perfect word.
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Well said, Kate. Happy Holidays!
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Thanks!
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Thank you for the reminder to look for the happy! I have so much to be grateful for (I feel a little guilty sometimes) and much of my good fortune was out of my hands. Focus on the good in our lives, and do what we can to help alleviate the bad in the lives of others. Merry holidays, Kate!
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Most of our good fortune is out of our hands. There are so many lucky people who struggle at the holidays. Perhaps it’s the “Currier and Ives” concept of what it should look like. Routines and traditions. Without them, it’s just another day.
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It’s the “Hap, Happiest Time of the Year!” by gum and that’s a wretched measuring stick to live up to. Every. Year.
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Yes, truly a lot to be thankful for. Thanks for spreading the joy. Very magical holiday season to you!
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And a magical season right back atcha!
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Yes Kate, focusing on the HAPPY here. You almost have to or the bad stuff will suck the life out of you. Trying to do little acts of kindness for both cats at the shelter and people. it goes a long way… it’s a small way but it helps.
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Yes “suck the life out of you” is right! Just today I was going through towels for the shelter. I’m not allowed to deliver them (the beloved husband does). Last time I was there Morgan came home with me. I also send anything else I can like the cat food my cats turn their nose up at. (I tell them about starving kitties but they are not having any of it.)
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Well said… have a wonderful christmas and a happy new year…. and peace to all people and to our world…
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and to you Phenny!
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Yes, the news is very disheartening lately, but there’s a lot of good things happening too. Recently, I’ve seen several reunion stories about father’s who’ve been overseas and surprise their child. A complete stranger leaving a struggling pregnant waitress a $900 tip. Sometimes it’s good to tune out the bad and focus on the good. One website I enjoy is http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org, Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kate!
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Thanks! One of our TV stations prides themselves in providing the news in a positive way and they always end with something heartwarming. Still, it’s a hard thing to do when so much is going on. It’s not new. Some years it seems to hit harder than others. I will check out the website. I love good news.
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Me too! 🙂
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I’m with you, Kate…wishing you health, happiness and peace – everywhere, for all
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Thanks. Lots of sadness going around this year. More so than some other years. Enjoy your grandkids. They are the hope for the world.
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