Money Will Buy a Fine Dog....

As I read the posts here I realize that my sense of humor is not coming through. My spiritual side however does. So, in the future I'm going to be showing both sides of myself. I hope you enjoy this quirky part of me.

My kids are cringing from across the miles! I just know it! Ha!

I have found the humor in my own trials in life. I can laugh about nearly anything that comes my way. Having lived through so many health scares and seen the blessings of my healing on so many occasions--I know that our trials are often temporary. Those that aren't need to be triumphed over spiritually. I've been given the gift to see the lighter side of things. I think it helps get me through constant adversity.

I love harder, laugh often, find joy in the little things and have a life filled with joy! It's the coolest thing ever!

I wasn't always this way though. I went through my dark years. Many times I thought I was being punished. When I finally came to my senses it was when I nearly gave up the fight. One of my children saved me. While I was praying and pleading to be healed from beneath the comforter, a little face appeared over the end of my bed. I knew I was needed. I knew as I gazed into his green eyes, that I was so loved and worried over. I chose life in those moments.

Being happy is a choice for some of us. It doesn't come easily until you have practiced it for so long that it becomes a way of life! Choose to smile in the face of adversity! Choose to love those around you no matter how awful they can be. Choose to find the humor in the ridiculous and devastating things that come your way. Don't wallow in your sorrow. Hey! Yes! I'm talking to you and to myself. I slipped into that dark place off and on the last six months! It happens. I forgot to find joy. It nearly overcame me as I struggled, until I remembered my blessings and began to, yes, count them one by one. It's important to re-evaluate your life sometimes and repent and move forward.

When we give up the fight to find joy in our lives, and allow the darkness and worldly things overcome us--we lose so much more than we realize. "Man" was meant to have joy!

A funny aphorism was sent to my gmail today. "Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail." This jumped out at me, big time! I strive to be kind to all I meet. Why? Well, it's what Jesus would do. It's how those who were cruel to my family were not. It's a way to move past that treatment and rise above it. It has been the biggest blessing in my life! I get a little lift with each smile that is returned, each simple kind act that is preformed. Those are blessing people. Try being kind today. Start with a smile, it's free and it's amazing!

Goofy Things are Lurking...

I found a website that was so much fun! It's called A Ton of Authors and a Wannabe . I enjoyed all the stories I've read there. If you have a chance check out that blog today. I think you'll like it too.

This morning I'm off to the Relief Society breakfast. It's my first in this ward. I do hope it's fun and that I can behave myself! There have been times in the past where during a case of nerves I opened my mouth and the oddest things have fallen out. So now I remain a listener most of the time. This past year it's been like that. They talk, I listen and frankly I've learned far more about myself because of this new gained self control. Have I finally grown up? Perhaps, but I do know that goofy things are lurking, waiting to be spewn forth to embarrass me eventually. You never know, it may make the gathering happier with my comic relief! It could happen...

The thing is, I have this quirky sense of humor. I can find humor in the most serious circumstance. A gift, you might say? Sometimes it's the ice breaking comment that binds a group together. When I was nervous last week during my lesson I taught the 12-14 year old girls--it was a huge help. Blank stares softened as smiles crept into place as I relayed a story about a girl who was trying to balance what was Good, Better or Best in her life. Many went home to tell their moms how excited they were to have me for a leader. Now that was worth the risk I took just being myself.

So, after thinking about this a little further I've realized that being reserved for a time was good while I got to know what our surroundings and new friends were like. Now feeling free to be myself should be the end goal.

In Minnesota, being reserved and having a dry whit seems to be the norm. I think it comes from being nearly frozen here. It gets you through the misery that is winter and the accompanying brain freeze.

Do sub zero temperatures change a person? I think so, but for the good of course. Our son in Russia was more prepared than most before he left for the bitter Siberian winters. He had to explain himself to his latest companion from Idaho though. This sensitive boy that was homesick thought my son hated him. That was furthest from Elder Otis's mind. He's the kindest soul. He thought the world of his new comp. After a few weeks they had a meeting of minds apologies were exchanged and accepted. They are very close now and our son was greatly relieved to have bridged the gap of misunderstanding.

I'm originally from the West Coast and therefore I'm different. We tend to look for what the person speaking "really means." I have no idea where that one started. What you see or say is what you mean or get in our region.

I did have an uncle that would come to visit the Island when I was a kid. None of us could understand his sense of humor. My mom was always mad at him for one reason or the other. I just thought he was rude. Years went by and my husband kids and I had moved to Minnesota. I was so homesick for family one year that we opted to go to Missouri for Thanksgiving to visit that Uncle and my favorite Auntie. By then we had been living here for a few years. I had blended as best I could with the locals. My kids were speaking with that Minnesota "O" and accepted. Anyway to be brief, I finally understood my Uncles sense of humor on that trip. It was like a revelation! I laughed until I cried. The man was that hilarious! I was sad that I hadn't understood him sooner.

That was when I learned to listen better to the nuances of local humor. I started to find humor in every terrible situation in my life. My trials seemed smaller and the joy felt brighter too. I learned finally that life is meant to be enjoyed and we as children of a loving God are meant to have joy. Of course there is a time and a place for everything. Since our move a year ago I've learned to be kinder and gentler. I've also learned how humor has lifted me as an individual and blessed my life and the lives of others.

Yes, if you come to visit me in Minnesota--do remove your shoes at the door. It's what we do after living in Hawaii. Then, listen for the laughter and the music of our homes sweet spirit to guide you in. Chances are that I'll be the one you hear laughing.

Love, laugh and live your life to it's fullest each day. It's a blessing--you'll see.