#rant

After battling what has turned out to be one helluva chest cold, I realized I hadn't written anything last week, which means I'm already behind and I've only just begun.  I also haven't really known what to write about.  Still don't.  There were several things I was batting around but with no solid direction for any of it, so perhaps this will just be a random vomiting of all the crap swimming around in my head keeping me occupied while my cough withholds any meaningful amount of sleep. 

For starters, I'm REALLY tired of the political mudslinging going on between all people, parties, candidates, etc. and have decided to completely disengage in any/all political discussions.  If everyone insists on acting like children, I'll refrain from speaking on the matter entirely.  I'll speak my piece by checking the box for my preferred candidate come election day, until then, I don't want to hear or talk about it.  I'm sick to death of the division everyone is so keen on causing.  That seems to be the driving force of people anymore.

Secondly, I'd like to change the title of "Facebook" to "Bitchbook" as it appears that's all anyone uses it for.  To bitch and moan about all the negative crap in their life.  I can hear you now, "Hey, isn't that exactly what she's doing right now??!"  Yes, yes it is. But this is actually rather out of character for me and I'm thinking perhaps this tirade is because I'm hormonal and sleep deprived.  Whatever.  I spend half my time of Facebook shaking my head as I read post after post of people just spewing negativity, vitriol, and bitterness.  Rarely do I read about something positive or upbeat.  And the majority of my "friends" on Facebook are Christians!  Where is the JOY people!?  Not that the Christian life is all rainbows and lollipops, but wow, to hear some people tell it, they're absolutely miserable.  And it's usually with some "First World Issue" that next week won't even be an afterthought or with situations that are simply results of their own poor life management skills. 

So in an effort to focus on positive things in my life, I am listing some potential negatives in my life and focusing on the positive side of it.  The silver lining, if you will.

1) My roof has an unfound leak.  However, I have been blessed with a roof over my head, and do not have to worry about battling 100+ degree days or fighting off Malaria-carrying bugs as I sleep.

2) I have an unrelenting cough.  However, I am not terminal and will recover.  Should I deem it necessary, I have medical coverage that will ensure treatment by a physician and access to medication at one of the top healthcare providers.

3) I am "morbidly obese".  However, I have a job that pays enough money to buy food and live in a country that provides me with access to food 24/7.  I have a husband, family and friends who love me unconditionally, regardless of my size and have never caused me to feel shame about my weight.

4) My daughter is not able to attend kindergarten this year.  However, we know she is cared for each day by people who love her as their own and provide her little brain with lots of knowledge and challenge her to grow daily.  We are able to work and feel secure that she is safe.  The fact that we have the ability to provide her with an education at all is a huge blessing.

5) My job sucks sometimes.  However, I am extremely blessed to have a job, especially one that pays well, considering I have no degree, economic times are rough, and that provides me with wonderful benefits and has co-workers I genuinely love and care about.

6) Being a Christian is not an easy road nowadays. However, I am able to freely worship a God Who loves me, attend a church of WONDERFUL people who love me as well, and teach my daughter about our faith openly, without fear of physical harm or need to hide out in underground caves.  I can read my Bible at a park, or a restaurant, or in a courthouse.  I can say the name of Jesus easily in passing conversation without fear of death. 

I could go on and on.  I guess my point is this, I know life can be crappy, but if you're always only looking at every raindrop that falls, you miss out on the rainbows often left by the storm.  If you look for the negative, you'll always find it. As my favorite band, The Grateful Dead sings, "Every silver lining's got a touch of grey."  BUT, the opposite is true as well.  I think when we start focusing on the positives in life, it creates a "snowball" effect and we end up much happier, positive people.   No one wants to be around a "Debbie Downer" all the time.  Maybe that makes me a Pollyanna.  So be it. 

So, thank you for allowing me the freedom to rant and carry on.  If you notice it becoming a habit, though, call me on it.  I'll save my rant about hypocrisy for another post.