Life is Good Today; Life is Good

There was a phrase I had stuck in my head last week and for some reason, it still remains in my head today "Life is good today; life is good." Now people will look at that phrase and probably think they cannot say that every single day of their lives. But I am here to say, yes you can say that every day of your life, starting today! Life is full of blessings, but sometimes we have to look for them or be reminded at times. Yes, some days are harder than others, that is just life. But there is good in everyday if we search for it.



Life is good today and is good everyday we are blessed here on this earth. This popped into my head one afternoon while I was at work. It had been a busy week and a busy day especially. And I am one that loves to stay busy. Give me work and more work and I will complete it as fast and accurate as I possibly can. But this day wasn't so much about completing paperwork, it was about helping others. I had a few customers that day who really brightened my day even though they did nothing out of the ordinary. I love being able to help people, whether it be at work, family, friends, a complete stranger, whomever. I absolutely love helping others. And I thank God each and every day for the opportunities he has given me in my life. I have the most amazing daughters, a good family, wonderful friends, a great man in my life, a job that has turned into my ultimate dream job, the list goes on and on. But something hit me that day and just really made me realize how much I am truly blessed. I get paid to do what I love, and in return I get to help others everyday.



Sometimes even the smallest gesture can make such a big difference in someone else's day. I was at a meeting the other night of a group I have been a leader for 4 years. One of my new girls this year handed me a little box and said "Happy Valentine's Day." It was a small box of chocolate cracker treats with sprinkles on them. It was truly sweet! Even though it wasn't a big gesture from the girl, it made my day to know that what I do for the girls is appreciated. I never expect any type of gift for volunteer work because I like to do what I do; otherwise I wouldn't put forth all the effort that I do. But that was the first time in 4 years I had ever gotten a small gift from anyone in the group. I am happy even if I get a "thank you" at the end of the year. I am not a leader or take on extra roles because I want some glory or fame. I do it for my daughter, and for those kids who I have the privilege of helping and getting to meet. I always try to be the best positive role model that I can, and pray that I can help others in some way, even if it something small. But my point is that small gesture that the member of the group made put a big smile on my face and brightened my day. And it made me think of something that is common sense but now always spoken. Maybe if we each took the time to do something little for others once in awhile, we would brighten others lives or make them smile. Think about it ~ when is the last time you made a small gesture of kindness for others? It's kind of like the pay-it-forward theory. Do something nice out of the kindness of your heart just because. You don't always need a reason to do something nice. It would make you feel warm inside and benefit the person on the receiving end as well.



Life is not always easy, but there is something in each day to be thankful for. Even if you have the worst day ever, be grateful for at least one thing in your life. I am grateful each night that I get home because I am with the two lights of my life ~ my kids. Even if I've had a not so great day, or I'm trying to get things done around the house, or the kids are squabbling, even in the most hectic times, I am still grateful that God chose to bless me with my little girls. I am grateful for the house I come to that I call home, for the car that I drive each day because it enables me to travel, for the endless people that have come into my life whether it be for a season or for a lifetime. I am thankful for all the blessings in my life. I just wish more people would see that my theory on being grateful and thankful for what we already have and not for what we do not have.



I have written a couple times about a lady I met in my office who had cancer. She was given a couple weeks before Christmas to live, but God blessed her with a few more days and she peacefully went to be with the Lord on January 6, 2010. Even though I wasn't close to her, I went to pay my respects and express my condolences to her husband and family. Her husband is such a sweet man whom I've had the privilege of meeting through my job. He said he was right beside her when she left to be with Jesus and she was ready. She had finally come to the realization that she could not beat her cancer and so she wouldn't fight it anymore. Then he laughingly said she didn't want a big fuss during her viewing/funeral, and that she didn't want people to have to get out 2 days just for that, and that nobody would even be there. Let me just say the parking lot was full and we waited in line for at least an hour before talking with him. The first thing he said to me was "she must have really made an impact on you" and yes, she certainly did. I can remember she told me to take extra time for those "little things." Again, it comes back to the little things in life, not the giant monumental things that we go through.



Life was good the last few days because I was blessed to have a couple of snow days to stay home with my girls. Don't get me wrong, being cooped up in the house for two days because of snow, then leaving for a day for a normal routine, then being cooped up another two days can drive us all a little nuts. So 4 out of 5 days we were all snowy blanketed in our house together, but you know what? It was wonderful and I wouldn't change it for anything! We got to play together, eat together, bake cookies together, just have fun together! I hadn't played playdough in years (I think I forgot how). We completely cleaned out and revamped my daughter's room so she can enjoy having friends over next weekend for her birthday. We spent quality time together and that's what counts. So yes life was good yesterday, life is good today, and Lord willing, life will be good tomorrow.



I will say it again "life is good today; life is good." But I should change it to say "life is good everyday" because it truly is. Let's count our blessings today and thank God for what we have been given. Let's stop worrying about the future so much and live in the here and now because we miss so much of life if we live in constant worry or planning every step of life. The truth is we really can't plan every step of our life the way we think things will happen. Life just happens whether we are ready for it or not. We have to be prepared for whatever life throws at us. We should be grateful for our blessings. It's simple really. Be happy with what you have and try to roll the best you can in life. Life is Good Today, Life is Good <- Notice it doesn't just say "today" but the phrase ends with "Life is Good." And yes it is, Life is Good. Have a wonderful day and a wonderful week!