Optimism

Since yesterday's topic was not so positive (although I meant it humorously mostly, not just negatively)- I thought I'd follow today with everyday things that can make me smile no matter what mood I'm in (or just some things I like or people i respect)- Its basically just a jumble of good stuff:

• God. Seeing God in creation. Seeing the trees blooming or yellow leaves falling. The sky- God's glory is in both the sunny, cloudless day as much as a rumbling thunderstorm. Water. The ocean waves rushing on the shoreline brings a peace and calm as well as good old murky, watch out for sticks and sandbars Lake Spence (it's so beautiful at sundown). Seeing God in other people. People who do good even when they are being used and stepped on-they just want to do what is right and are willing to suffer a little for the great good they are doing. People who give and give and give. People who give of their time when they have none to themselves- but they don't care. People who give of their money when they aren't rich. Watching a baptism- knowing the peace and love in that persons heart- their purity and feeling of joy and feeling that with them.
• Listening to papaw's and memaw's stories. I'm not so sure that all of papaw's are true- but they are good nonetheless.
• Driving and singing- loudly- oh what would I do without music!
• really young boys wearing wranglers, boots, and cowboy hats - they are too cute!
• learning- I love learning about new things! Be it cars or law or a new scientific discovery- I just love to know!
• animals- cats, dogs, rabbits, squirrels, deer, pigs, cows, horses, (almost anything besides reptiles and insects) - even though some are more cuddly than others- they just draw me in.
• when people hold open the door for you
• when people ask how you are and really want to know
• people that are engaging in conversation
• people that don't just want to know you on the surface
• 2nd, and 3rd, and 4th,and 5th, and 6th chances - people who can truly forgive without grudges
• summer
• snow cones
• ice cream
• cowboys
• lazy days with a good book
• shopping days
• summer backyard movie nights
• people who say please and thank you and excuse me
• the wal mart greeters who actually greet you
• that one person that makes you feel welcome to a new group
• people who send cards (or emails- I'm totally fine with emails replacing cards) frequently
• home
• seeing people you know everywhere you go (whether you know them well enough to say hi or not)
• how easy it is to travel around the world
• people who whistle a lot - it's a sign of happiness
• people who smile all the time (unless they also smile when they are mad)
• people who come back from lives in sin- they become stronger and others are encouraged (or should be)
• people who are quick to compliment and slow to criticize
• people who can constructively criticize without putting you down
• people who can take criticism positively and grow from it
• people who give good advice
• people that handle authority and leadership by serving
• people that can fix anything
• teachers that are hard and patient- you learn the most from them
• people who respect their spouse. He doesn't call her his "old lady" - she doesn't make jokes about how he never does anything - they don't call each other "hot" - there are no "you know how women are" comments - it's just pure respect for each other.