If there were a theme to my writing, my life, my philosophy, it would be that each day has the opportunity to be fantastic. Of course, the pessimist might say it could be awful, but that doesn't fit in with my attitude. Still, with the horrific events around the world and shootings too close to home, some days seem just a bit harder to smile.
Among other current reads, I am lost in a wonderful book by Katrina Kenison, The Gift of an Ordinary Day. More than Kenison's memoir, it is the story of her family. She shares from the heart her worries about choices for the children, moves away from the home they have known for so long, and the loss of her perfect job due to cost cutting. And through all of it there is a sense of hope. Among the people she meets is a mystical, hopeful woman, eQuinamati, who may best be described as chicken soup for the soul. When eQuinamati is stricken with illness, Kenison is reminded daily that even at her worst moments she can give to her friend. This function of giving may just give more to herself. So, even on my my most high stress day I am reminded that I could be in a much worse place. More importantly, I remember the value of giving. This past year, the giving mostly focused on being a shoulder for family and friends. This year, my eldest and I will be volunteering and looking for the opportunities to help another and by turn help ourselves to appreciate just an ordinary day.
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