Little Bits of Good

When life has got you down (which it often does) it's time to look at what little pieces of good there is in the world around me.  I've got a lot to be thankful for, and a lot to be grateful for.  I've got three beautiful children.  I have the freedom to homeschool.  My aunt is a wonderful resource for homeschooling too, and is a wonderful connection whenever I need a sounding board (even though I know I haven't appreciated her enough in the past!)  I've got good friends too!  It seems like there's so much positive in my life.

Just this past weekend I got a huge example of that.  For those of you who know me, I'm not just your earthy-crunchy mama.  I'm also a bellydancer.  I was at a show this weekend where I felt truly welcomed and accepted.  I received so many compliments for being inspirational.  While that wasn't entirely my goal, to inspire others, I'm glad I was able to.  All I wanted to do was enjoy my dance!  It's one more moment when I realize just how much I've got going for me in my life!

I know at times it's hard to appreciate what I really have.  It's so easy to get frustrated when you turn around to a sink full of dirty dishes, the children's room being messy, or yet another dose of bad news.  It seems like nothing has been going my way these days.  Still, underneath it all there are all these little veins of gold.  There's happiness, sunshine, and good vibes.  I just need to learn to look a little deeper.

While I know all of these details aren't important to anyone but myself, I think it's about time everyone look a little deeper and find their own little bits of good.  Many of my friends are going through hard times right now.  Financial problems seem to be abundant.  There's all kinds of drama, stress, and everything else.  The world seems full of nothing but bad news.  In these dark times, we need to learn to turn towards the little things for our spark of joy.

Even in the Great Depression, there was joy.  There was love.  Families found a way to make it work no matter how dark things got.  Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned from them.  Perhaps instead of looking forward, this is just another case where we need to look back.

For me, I'm returning to my family.  I'm starting to take more value in the little things with them.  It's time to become more focused on those little moments.  It's time to focus on the things that bring me true joy.  Isn't it about time everyone else started to do the same?