I just realized that if I was a superstitious person, these few days in March might be a little bit troubling, what with Friday the 13th and the Ides of March each falling within a couple days of each other. Kat over at Keep the Coffee Coming had a great post yesterday, and it got me thinking about one of my favorite Joan Armatrading songs, I'm Lucky. (If you don't know it, it is definitely worth a listen here.)
Nope, no triskaidekaphobia for me. Just like I try to use my mind to change bad dreams I might be having while I sleep, I try to turn those little fearful thoughts while awake into something good. Focus on the good. It seems like such a simple concept, but it is so easy to get caught up in a sense of foreboding. Negativity can be like a virus that seeps in and spreads. Now I'm not saying I'm always successful, but if we believe we have free will, and I do, it is possible to change our outlook on just about anything just by focusing our minds and exercising some self-discipline.
I don't know about you, but Friday the 13th turned out to be pretty good. It was Friday, for starters. We made a very nice meal last night, thanks to a recipe from Ralph. SU played a great basketball game, and won in overtime (can you believe it?) . . . and I stayed awake for the entire game. (And can I just say that this Big East tournament has been the most memorable in all the years I've watched it? I certainly hope they can pull off a win against the #1 seed Louisville tonight, because that would be like the impossible dream...and so, why not?)
The Ides of March always brings birthday wishes to two special people: Tom's brother John, and our good friend Lynn. Both of these people are sunny, bright, talented and hard working, and our lives are better with them in it. So as far as March 15th goes, it's all good, and fooey on Julius Caesar and his gloom and doom. The month is nearly half-over, so we are that much closer to spring and the end of the semester.
Okay, so focusing still on the positive, I can't wait to get to the laundry. (Am I making you sick yet? Don't go there. Stay with me.) It is a good feeling when it is all done. Think about all the people in the world who don't have a washing machine, and in their own house no less. What a pleasure it should be for us to do laundry, and not something to gripe about. Who doesn't love the smell of the dryer? And I am going to tackle some homework, so that we can go to some travel basketball team games, thankfully here in town, this afternoon. We have a fun evening planned with our friends Katy and Tim and their boys. Tomorrow it is off to cousin Jeremy's birthday party in the afternoon. It is a good weekend to be busy, because it is still fairly cold out there. I am happy to report that the sunshine on the frosted grass, yes grass, is bright. Unlike whiny Wednesday, this Saturday's child is focusing on the good.
4 comments:
Your uplifting entry today was a good way to begin my day. We spent the 13th watching a most beautiful sunset after cruising the beach for shells to send to the "little kids" at home. I got quite a few and will go back this week for more. And you're right about the dryer smells. Now if I could just get someone else to do it!!!
Back in the 60's I lived in Orlean, France for 1 year. I didnot have a washer or dryer that entire time. My daughter Kim was a toddler. I washed all clothes by hand in a pot, with hot water. I said then I would never complain about what we have here in the United States. I enjoy doing laundry now. It certainly is a lot easier than it was then. It certainly is a pleasure!
Really good post, Nan, and it speaks to why I enjoy you so much. Still, you have to admit that the Ides of March didn't turn out so great for old Julius. Whether through optimism or hubris, Caesar ignored signs in the real world that could have saved him. "Just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean they're not out to get you."
Ralph, that is a great quote! You also make a good point, that it is important to pay attention to signs and intuition. So while it is good to focus on the good, I also wouldn't advocate for being naive or turning a blind eye to the obvious.
Sue, that must have been quite an experience spending a year in France with a toddler!
Jean, thanks for the nice comment!
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