Today I was told that my blog is too positive. . . Ouch.
(Last week it was too serious, this week too positive.)
The person did not intend for the statement to be an insult and I laugh at how quickly the comment tapped into my insecurities. I find myself wanting to jump and protect my blog like its one of my children. Instead, I check myself. . .
. . . is it too positive?
I can see how one might feel that I write too positively. I suppose I could write about more of the tough moments of motherhood. Or I could write in greater detail about the challenges of my job. Or how the waves of grief come more often than others might know. Or perhaps I should write more about Charlie’s tantrums, Chanelle’s attitude, or my own meltdowns.
Honestly, though, such moments are just that. . . Moments. The real parts of my life that I want to pack away in my heart are the beautiful ones that really do happen every. single. day. And the way I see it is I get to choose where I focus my eyes.
So, today I fix my eyes on my handsome lunch date. A rare one-on-one time with my son. I picked him up from school and we walked hand-in-hand next door to grab a bite to eat. Scattered between sips of a vanilla milkshake and bites of chicken nuggets were the details of his morning at school. I listened while his stories trailed off into nothingness as his eyes were pulled in every direction by the people around us. Not my eyes, though, my eyes were on him. . .
And as we drove home we laughed as I tried to convince him that I am a Super Hero Mommy at night when he is sleeping. He wasn’t ready to buy it and demanded to see my cape and the eyes in the back of my head. I assured him, however, that I couldn’t or all of my power would be lost.
When we got home, Chanelle still had not returned from her adventure with Gran so we had more time. . . Charlie noticed Miss Nancy raking leaves and insisted on helping. Once again I am drawn into thankfulness as I watch others invest in and love our kids. You know the saying. . . “it takes a villiage. . . ” It really does and I am so thankful for our “village”.
When I experience moments like these I can’t help but be thankful. I look at this little boy and see that I’ve been given a gift. . . a gift that I treasure. I watch as his personality unfolds more and more every day and am astounded by the depth in his spirit. I can not imagine another place I would have wanted to be on this gorgeous afternoon.
When I was in high school I had a key chain that had the words “Attitude Is Everything” etched on it. . .I like that. I’m not trying to say that we should deny the challenging times or pretend that life is without difficulites. . . it is just that I see thankfulness as a choice. I have found that even in the most devastating of times I can usually find something for which I am thankful and it is these things that keep me moving forward.
Maybe the blog is too positive. It probably is. But when it comes down to it. . . I would much rather apologize for being too positive than for being too negative.
So today I am thankful for a special lunch date. . . how about you. . . what are you thankful for? Care to share?
i like your blog.
i like your attitude.
i like your cute little son.
you inspire me to be a better version of me.
love, me
This is Tammy (from TN). I have never posted anything- wasnt sure how to. I look forward to reading your blog. I enjoy it…all of the different emotions, experiences…all of that is life. I work at Juvenile Court and like you with your job i can relate to some topics you have discussed. I would rather be defined by my attitude being positive than negative. You never know who you have an impact on. So i strongly encourage you to keep sharing what ever God has put on your heart..because to someone that may be just what they needed to hear. I feel like i am getting to know you and your family more this way than the little time when we do see ya'll.(had to put some TN slang in there for ya :)By reading your blog i have decided to start a journal of things to do when i have child(ren). I love how you do cherish the everyday moments. I want to do that with my child. I just know i wont remember all the ways to lol that is why i started the journal. So thanks again! Tammy
I completely agree with TL: Your blog inspires me. Too positive, too serious, even too negative: I don't think you ever need to apologize for what it is or how it seems to others. Your writing is wonderful and inspiring, and it's a reflection of you and what YOU are feeling, be that positive, negative, serious or silly.
And your pictures are phenomenal, too. 🙂
Thank you, ladies, fir your kind words. They are appreciated.
Tammy. . . thank you for posting a comment. It's nice to know you are reading. . .I love that you are keeping a journal of ideas. You will be an excellent Mommy!
I don't think your blog is too much of anything. I also don't think anyone should be telling you what it is or isn't; it's your blog.
I personally love your blog. It is inspiring and a daily reminder to not get caught up in the small stuff….the negative 'moments' as you say. Looking back, the things you blog about are what you want to remember…not the one tantrum, or one attitude.
Keep being you!
Non Illigitimas Carborundom, Summer.
I love your blog. I think our attitude is shaped by how we choose to look at things, if we choose to look at the positively then we have a brighter outlook. We also all have moments that hurt and you talk about those too. Writing is a wonderful outlet to let out swirling thoughts, to share adorable precious picture memories of snippets of days that will be remembered by those photos.
Keep writing, keep being you 🙂
I'm with TL, too.
Your positive blog is literally a cup of tea to me. It's what I look forward to it. I want to relish it. It inspires me to reflect. To really think.
I appreciate it so very much.
Ok now…too positive?! Praise God for positivity! Too many people are consistently stuck in the "what ifs" and "why nots" and miss out on all that we have…and the gift of every day. Phil 4:6-7 "Be anxious in nothing but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving make your requests known to God and the peace of God will transcend your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." That "with thanksgiving" always sticks out to me…when I focus on what I have to be thankful for…I find that my worries take a back seat and instead I'm able to live in the moment, in the present, and choose to be grateful for what I have, as well as focus on what God has done in the past. I think when we work at being obedient and pursuing Christ, the overwhelming majority of the time, is a more positive outlook. Thank you for being a living example of what it means to be thankful!
Little boys are so much fun! So much different from girls. I will admit, I was nervous when Jakobi entered the picture. I just wasn't sure what to do. He has given me so much joy and I just love how his little mind works. We are blessed Mamas, indeed!