Amazing

I've been in what I refer to as a "funk."  It started about a week ago and hasn't left.  Each day seemed to worsen.  Many times, I've felt I'm on a roller coaster where I'm in the final car and I can't see where we're going.  Is there a twist or a turn coming up?  I couldn't tell you.  Many thanks to those who have put up with me, especially dad of the year.  After all, we know he'd rather be subjected to rolling in a thorn bush naked and then forced to watch The Notebook over and over again than to deal with large amounts of estrogen.  Sorry, honey! 

Today, I figured it out.  One of those other mommy blogs I've been reading just turned plain old sad and I got sucked into it.  I couldn't help it.  We pursuers of mom of the year are deep thinkers and our feelings run even deeper.  I'm well aware of how ridiculous this sounds.  It's just a blog about a person I've never met.  However, I can say with plenty of confidence, I'm one of thousands of people who read, wept, and reflected. 

In the end, I have to turn this "funk" into something productive and the best way I can finish this roller coaster ride is in the only way I know how:  to write.  Here are some lessons I have learned while riding my funkedellic roller coaster.  Hang on.  It was quite the ride!   

1.  Live each day as though it is your last. 

I've always had the motto to live life with no regrets.  I do find myself simply connecting with my children more, allowing one more story to be read, and hugging my kids a bit more tightly than I used to.  I never leave for the day without telling my family how much I love them. 

2.  I'm stronger than I know.

While going through a tornado like funnel of emotions, I learned that I'm a strong person.  So strong that I'm going to quit with all these somedays, eventuallys, and incapabilities in my head.  Time to remind myself, and my kids, we can accomplish anything we put our minds to. 

3.  My kids are stronger than I know. 

As my children grow, I watch them get over bumps, scrapes, bruises and heartaches.  They do so with the resiliency I know they could have learned from only one place: me! 

4.  Being a optimist isn't half bad. 

I've often been teased for my optimism.  No matter what I do, it's always there.  A co-worker once asked me if I'd ever come across an incident where I couldn't find a silver lining?  Well...yes I have.  But no, I've never broadcast it.  I'm the cheerleader when everyone else is the heckler.  I tend to see the good in most everyone I meet and every situation life hands me.  I think that has and will continue to serve me well.  Another great trait I can pass along to my children. 

5.  I can always, even on my best day, be a little kinder. 

I told a story to a group of people a week ago about two frogs who fell in a hole.  The frogs at the surface realize the two in the hole can never get out so they begin telling them to give up.  One frog does but the other eventually jumps her way out.  Once out of the hole, she is asked how she accomplished this amazing feat?  She informs the other frogs she is deaf, and while she couldn't hear the others shouting to her to give up, she could only assume they were encouraging her to make it out of the hole.  The moral of the story was to be an encouraging frog.  While I know not everyone in that room got the story, it was maybe a reminder to me to always help another who might be struggling. 

6.  Behind every mom of the year, there's an amazing dad of the year.

Well, this holds true most of the time because I know some pretty incredible single mothers out there (you know who you are).  But I know I am so blessed to be married to a man who is loving, caring, smart, funny and oh so tolerant.  He holds me up when I cannot and makes me feel I can do anything - be anything - accomplish anything. 

Coming out of my "funk" has taken time and plenty of reflection.  It's easy to look around, see the events going on in the world, our state, even in our towns and feel sad.  However, I ask you to choose hope.  See the simple beauties that come your way, even if they are very small.  Be strong.  Be an encouraging frog.  Shoot for the stars and find that silver lining.  And show those you care about how much you appreciate them. 

Every day, I tell my girls words of encouragement.  Things such as:  "you're smart," "you're kind," "you are loved."  I know daughter of the year No. 1 struggles with her confidence, so I left this little note she'll find in her folder when she goes to school next week.

After all, amazing is best when shared with others.  Now, go share your amazingness.