It Smells Like Goodwill

Today at work, I had the opportunity to volunteer a couple of hours helping set up for an annual event called the Career Clothing Closet. This wonderful program is coordinated by our Service Learning Department and allows students to get free professional outfits.

I spent two hours in a large room with about 10-15 other volunteers; the group was transporting all of the donated clothing, shoes, and accessories to the room where the event will be held tomorrow and Friday. Fifteen people and two hours later, we still had donations in bags that needed to be sorted and put on hangers. We had more clothing than we could actually accommodate on the racks available, so we had to start filling tables with folded sweaters and such.

As we were working, someone commented, "It smells like Goodwill in here." What I walked away with was a sense of the tremendous generosity of our community - there were countless items donated to help students and community members. For me, I would amend the comment of my fellow volunteer by saying, "It felt like good will in there."

Blogging

Well, I started this blog a couple of months ago and it is surprising to me that I am not posting more. I generally use my computer at home almost every day and I am captivated with reading the blogs of others. Maybe I am spending too much time reading and not enough time writing?

On one of the blogs I follow, the author noted that she had just written her 800th blog in a little less than two years. She works and has twin boys who are almost two. I think she is a blog goddess to be able to post 40 blogs a month!

As for me, I think I need to set a goal to write a certain number of blogs per week or pick my blogging days. Stay tuned...it could be that more posts will be coming more frequently!

Six-Word Sunday

Gathering with believers brings spiritual renewal.

The Two Best Prayers

One of my favorite authors, Anne Lamott, says the two best prayers are:

• "Help me, help me, help me."
• "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

I agree wholeheartedly and have uttered those prayers countless times!

What Goes Around Comes Around

The title of this blog is one of those adages I've said for years. From a spiritual stance, I would say it is a version of the golden rule and treating others as we want to be treated. I have long believed that the energy we put out into the world comes back to us, be it positive or negative.

Extending a hand to someone in need, sharing a smile with a stranger, telling someone you love them and the reasons why are just a few examples of putting positive energy out in the world. Consistently focusing on the positive and living optimistically creates synergy in our lives and relationships.

Doing the opposite--being grouchy with a loved one, complaining to coworkers, not returning a smile or greeting--does the same. If we put negative energy on the airwaves of life, then we see or perceive rejections, dismissals, intolerance, and the like. Our output has a direct relation to the input we receive.

I've been reminded recently by someone else's behavior of the importance of thinking positive, doing positive, being positive. After all, what goes around, comes around!

Thursday Thanks

My heart is full with love and appreciation for my son, Matthew. He has been back at home living with me for two weeks and it has been a fabulous two weeks. All of his best qualities are shining brightly. He is caring, tender-hearted, loving, funny, smart, creative, determined, and so much more. For me, Matt is my life's greatest blessing!

A Community of Caring

The last year or so of my life has been particularly challenging because my son made some choices that had pretty significant consequences. I have learned many things during the last 12-15 months, but the most important thing this past year has shown me is how tremendously we are loved and supported.

There have been so many gestures big and small, that have been made by family, friends, co-workers and even strangers, which have conveyed support and love. While I cannot capture everything that has been done for us, the following examples provide a glimpse into my life and the many blessings we have experienced because people are kind, loving, caring.

• A stranger in a parking lot, upon seeing me distressed and crying, approached to ask if he could help and then told me that he would be praying for us.
• One of my closest friends essentially put her life on hold and came to stand by my side and support me through the worst of times. She slept on the couch, she talked to me, she hugged me, she went through everything I was going through and shared all of the stress that came with it so that I would not have to go through it alone.
• A counselor that I met on a Wednesday called on Thursday just to check in to see how things were going. In that call, she provided encouragement and some extremely helpful information.
• A treasured friend sent flowers to me at work one day to brighten my day and let me know she was thinking of me.
• A few of my coworkers stepped in and picked up the slack to cover my desk when I had to be away from work for an extended period of time. They just took care of business so that I did not have to worry or even think about it.
• A public servant in a county office took the time to hear my story in complete detail and called me back with news that an error had been corrected. This was after I had talked to four or five people who seemed incapable of grasping the importance of the information I was sharing. This gentleman did not have to act or do anything, but he managed to connect the dots that needed connecting to resolve a huge problem.
• One of my favorite people and cherished friends provided a place for me to store a vehicle which wasn't running so that I did not have to think about it or deal with it when it was not a priority. She didn't ask for how long, she just said yes.
• Friends who are like family to us were gracious in understanding when we had to change holiday plans; they were willing and glad to rearrange for another time to be together.
• A dear friend has called me every week without fail to check in to see how things are going and to provide encouragement and support.
• My neighbors have been helpful and caring, from watching the house while I have been gone to bringing over holiday treats to calling to see how things are going; they have reminded me how lucky I am to live among such caring people.
• My two best friends have cried with me, laughed with me, hugged me, invited me out to do something fun, spent days with me doing things that were decidedly not fun, prayed for and with me (and Matt), and have embodied what it means to be loyal, supportive, and love unconditionally. They have seen me at my best and my worst and have not wavered.
• My family--Mom, Dad, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law, auntie, nieces, and nephews--have connected with Matt and me in a variety of ways to let us know we are loved. I know I need only ask and they will do, provide, or be what we need.

There are more examples that I could provide of actions that other people have taken that have propped me up during this year, that have provided me strength to continue, that have provided encouragement that things would get better (and they have), that have shown acceptance of us with our warts and all, that have shown me clearly and strongly that we are loved. To all, I offer a humble thanks and appreciation for showing me that this big and crazy world is full of wonderful, loving, caring and kind people.

Monday Musings

It's Monday, I'm home from a full day of work and running errands. I've started a list of topics that I plan to blog about, but nothing on the short list I've developed strikes me today, so I am just going to share some random thoughts!

It kind of reminds me a bit of Andy Rooney sharing his thoughts on a variety of topics. Ah, well, with that said, here is just some of what is running through my mind today:

• Since making a decision a while back to limit myself to working 40 hours a week, my stress level has gone way down and my enjoyment of life has gone way up!
• My son has been living back at home with me for two weeks and it has been a wonderful two weeks. Matt is really coming into his own as a young adult and all of his best qualities are shining brightly.
• Choosing your own candies at See's is really fun! Matt and I had to go to the mall tonight and, while there, I remembered that I had a gift certificate for See's, so we went in and chose a delicious box of candies. Matt has been craving peanut butter of late, so he picked peanut butter laden treats while I opted for candies with nuts.
• Cooking can be fun, especially when I have time for it. (Working only 40 hours a week helps in that regard.) This weekend I watched Julie & Julia and I feel inspired to cook. Matt, by the way, has also been embracing the idea of cooking since he has been home and he has cooked dinner twice and made blueberry muffins.
• I really need to get more sleep! I wish that work hours could just be shifted to accommodate each person's circadian rhythm. Being a night owl does not jibe well with working 8 to 5!

I am still quite enthralled with blogging, though I am posting less frequently than anticipated when I started this blog. While I don't post every day, I do read the blogs of others every day and I find I am entertained, intellectually challenged, and emotionally moved by the postings of others.

Six-Word Sunday

Spring is a season of hope.

Thursday Thanks

I am thankful for mellow-yellow martinis and wise, wonderful women! How lucky and blessed am I to work at a great community college with people that I really like and admire.

I am especially thankful for the Heather, Jeri, Joy, Nicole, Sherry and Vicki! Thanks for sharing a few happy hours with me.