Once More with Attitude!

Man's rise or fall, success or failure, happiness or unhappiness depends on his attitude... a man's attitude will create the situation he imagines.

- James Allen

Bet you all thought I wasn't going to post today! I spent the morning emptying out my bank account (common this time of year) and the afternoon just plain got away from me.

At 5:00, Baby Boy/Family Man brought grandson Conner over for us to babysit. Every thought of Ravelry, knitting, plurking, blogging, etc. went flying out the window and took off like Rudolph on steroids.

I see that little smile and there is nothing in the world but that sweet face and even sweeter disposition. Yeah...I've got it bad!

Now the little charmer is sound asleep and I am picking back up the reins of my little endeavor.

The chat boards over on Plurk have been chock full of snow forecasts and Christmas preparations. And I have noticed that the same thing that brings joy to one, is a source of aggravation to another.

One person can't wait for the snow to begin; another speaks poetically of the big fat flakes drifting gently downward. Someone else is complaining about digging his driveway out and yet aonther can't believe all the idiots at the grocery store and on the road.

Some are looking forward to time spent off from work; others have had plenty of time off, thank you very much, and would do just about anything to be putting in some 40 hour work weeks.

Some revel in the baking, the shopping, the knitting, the wrapping, the decorating, the partying. Others pull the blankets over their heads, mutter "Bah Humbug" under their breath and wish the month long bacchanalia was over.

It seems that one person's "[dream] of a white Christmas" is another poor soul's "Nightmare Before Christmas." It all depends on who you ask. And sometimes, when you ask.

We are all short on time this month and many of us are tired out. We ask a lot of ourselves in December. We want to be Martha Stewart, but we wind up Erma Bombeck.

But that's OK. Face it; we can't do it all. We can try, but there is a cost to be paid in our sanity and serenity.

Most situations we face in life are double edged swords. The snow is beautiful - until you have to drive in it. The presents are generous outpourings of love - until you have to pay for them. The cookies are absolutely delicious - until you step onto the scales in January.

Conner is so thrilled by everything this Christmas - the lights, the shiny ornaments, the bright colors of the wrappings & ribbons, his first taste of hot cocoa or pumpkin pie. It is all a never-ending adventure, a source of giggles and smiles of wonder. It is all new to him; all looked upon with fresh and unbiased eyes.

Happiness and contentment are fleeting things at best. But joy - well, joy is ever-lasting. Our circumstances are often out of our control, but our attitudes are not.

We shape how we see our world. And how we see our world shapes us.

Dream or Nightmare? YOU decide...

I'm going to go peek in on my own little babe - and say a simple prayer to God.

Lord, let me see the world through his eyes...

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Kristin. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?