Children

My Mr. Rogers “Happy” Cup

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I loved “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” when I was a child. It was my all-time favorite (it even earned a mention in the “past” scene just after Chapter Four in Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven).

imageThis past summer I was thrilled to find this mug in the gift shop of a theater where my younger daughter was attending a week-long “Broadway Professionals” program. There was a wide variety of eclectic gifts and items, including several mugs and bobble heads.  I also picked up a “Shakespeare Love Quotes” mug to go with my “day job”. 🙂

imageimageimageOkay, so here’s what’s especially awesome about this mug. When you add hot water, Mr. Rogers changes into his yellow sweater!

It’s just like in the TV program, when he’d get inside his house and change his shoes and jacket for sneakers and a sweater.

imageAnd there are quite a few of his sayings and quotes all around the mug, too.

It just makes me happy…much in the same way the late Mr. Rogers always did.

He still does, whenever I get to see something where he is featured.

There is this article, “46 Things I Learned by Making Mr. Rogers and Me”. It’s well worth a look (it also contains links to other articles, videos, and photos that are wonderful too). It’s by Benjamin Wagner, a young MTV producer who, with his brother, premiered a documentary called Mr. Rogers and Me in 2011.

And like this video, where he received an award, but still managed to turn the spotlight away from himself to make us think and feel, and potentially leave us better people because of it.

What a wonderful legacy to leave behind.

Any other Mr. Rogers fans out there?

Controversy About “Fun”

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I saw this today and it really hit home.

Although I’m not promoting the corporate sponsor, I think the content and message is thought-provoking enough that I felt compelled to share it.

It’s short – only a few minutes, regarding what the older generation (60-somethings +), my generation (30-somethings – 50-somethings) and then the teen and younger crowd define as what they do (or did) for fun as children.

Please let me know your thoughts if you decide to watch. In some ways, it made me want to cry, because I often hear and see the same thing from my kids and the students (high school aged) I teach in school.

A Difficult Precept

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20120727-141756I’m a “pleaser” by nature.

I feel very uncomfortable if I can’t “fix” a problem or just “work harder” to get everything done.

the-day-you-learn-to-say-no-to-what-currently-is-is-the-day-you-unlock-the-possibility-of-all-that-could-beAs I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that it’s not as easy as “just saying no”. Because after a long time of living this way, one attracts those into one’s life that enjoy being with someone who says “yes” and makes life easier for them. And the people in my life expect me to say “yes” and often become disgruntled when I “complain” that I have no time or I’m too busy. That makes me uncomfortable, and the process starts again.

It’s not as if I can just walk away from these people either. They are a part of daily life – most at home, some at work, some in other areas. So I’m forced to try to find a way to “re-train” myself – and them – to a different expectation.

You-have-to-learn-to-say-no-without-feeling-guilty_-Setting-boundaries-is-healthy_-You-need-to-learn-to-respect-and-take-care-of-yourselfUp until now, the only time I’ve been able to break the old pattern, even for a moment, is when I finally get angry when someone persistently takes my innate drive to help and work for granted.

Unfortunately, anger isn’t comfortable (or productive) either. Also, I can’t sustain it, due to my nature of being a “look at the bright side” kind of gal.

I’m glad that I’m like that, but it does make the yo-yo of trying to just say no when my habit and nature like to say yes that much more pronounced.

Xk32hbcI’m sure you’ve noticed how I’ve sprinkled a few very nice “self-help” posters about this issue throughout this post. They’re all very good and very true. I just have a hard time putting them into practice.

So for all you pleasers out there…how do you help yourself to implement the ability to (gracefully) say “no”? Do you have a little mantra you repeat to yourself? Do you use a system of numbers to arrive at when you’re overloaded? How do you help yourself to feel less disappointed and selfish when you say “no” to things that others expect and that you’re accustomed to providing? I’m all ears! 🙂

The Juggling Act

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superwoman4This is how many of us feel on a regular basis (or maybe it’s just me, but I’m going to phrase it like that because it makes me feel better to pull you all into my circus, LOL).

173093__new-year-new-year-holiday-girl-smile-mood-gifts-juggling_pThrow in some of this (because the holiday preparations are in full swing, with decorating, shopping, baking, cooking, and most important of all, spending time with each other, which is the foundation of good memories):

????????And this (because my five weeks grades are due Tuesday)…

 

Final Front Moose Tracks on the Road to HeavenAnd this (because final issues for the book always crop up and require attention, from setting up accounts to creating TOC lists, to creating cover letters and mailing out review copies and trying to build some promotional efforts)…

And I have brewing a perfect storm of craziness that quickly escalates stress to red-line levels. Like on a daily basis. Tempers can flare and cause reactions that definitely don’t add to the serenity of life. 🙂

perfect-mumsAs a mom (even though my girls are teens they still have a gazillion activities, sports, and social issues to navigate), it’s easy to start to feel like this:

What to do?

live-in-the-momentI don’t have any silver bullet, I’m afraid. All I can offer is an idea that occasionally helps me to slow down so I can process what’s happening. It helps me to deflate some of the intensity of stress when it begins to overwhelm: Just live in the moment.

Attitude affects everything, whether its the day-to-day grind or the challenges of facing illness and pain (when my father was undergoing chemo and treatment during his final illness, he reiterated that to me many times, and one of the moments he was most proud was when his doctor’s office staff pooled to together and gave him a little pin that said “Great attitude award”, because he had one of the best they’d ever worked with).

While we can manage some things (like schedules or what we add to them by saying “yes” to too many things), there is much we can’t control. Much that just has to get done and needs that have to be met.

They will be. It will all work out. Just consider what this poster says. It helps. It really does. 🙂

11568-Be-Free-Live-In-The-Moment

 

Anyone else have tips for getting through stressful times?