Setting My Mind On the Happy

This Fall has held a blurry, dizzying pace.  I've enjoyed so much of it.  I wouldn't do it any differently if I had a do-over.  But now that things are in the early stages of slowing down, I'm realizing how truly tired I actually am.  You know how when you are going 100 miles per hour, you can easily keep up as long as you keep moving?  But as soon as you stop and try to stand still, your body hits the exhaustion wall while your mind keeps moving, unsure of how to stop.  That's where I am.  Still immersed in the mind part of the busyness...sorting pictures and videos for a season dvd for our banquet, sorting through pictures for gifts, hoping desperately that the gifts I ordered will arrive in time for the banquet, getting plugged back in fully to my own kids, trying to figure out where to start reclaiming my house.  Everything feels a bit cluttered right now, including my mind.

And the last couple weeks I've been really missing my mom.  Sometimes what I'm missing out on by not having her really hits me.  It's hit me a lot lately.  I want her to sit in the stands and watch her grandkids.  I want her to celebrate their successes.  I want her to encourage them in the beautiful way I know she would have.  I feel the absence of a close family in a huge way when my kids have a big accomplishment and there is a limited amount of people to share it.  And I feel that absence when I'm worn out and would love an encouraging word that I know she would give.  I don't think you ever outgrow needing your mom, and lately I've been really needing her.  I would love to watch her and Brenna have a conversation.  I get overwhelmed just imagining that.

So, I can't change what is just not there.  Sometimes I'm sad at the way things are, and that's just where I am right now.  But I can choose to focus on what I do have and how blessed I am.  I can choose to set my mind on the happy.  So that's what I've been doing this morning.  As I've begun the slow process of trying to get my house back in order, I've been keeping my mind in a place of thankfulness.  I wrote to our sponsor child this morning.  I am washing all the bedding in the house, because clean sheets make me happy.  I scrubbed my kitchen because that feels orderly too.

And in all the picture sorting, I came across a few pictures that hit my happy spot as well.  Here they are:

crummy quality, but I love doing these jib-jab videos, especially the elves, and laughing with my nutty family.

I love this girl's fascination with all living things.  I even let her bring this one in the house, which is evidence of my love!

I love this boy's kind-heartedness, his talent, his humor, and his baking skills!

This picture combines two loves:  this sweet girl and her love for cheer, and the pouring rain!  I love rain, yes I do.

I don't need to say anything about that.

The ever-sweet Emily and her penguin cupcake creations.  These made me so happy!

The blessing of loving, and being loved by, this man makes me so happy.

Beautiful sunsets, beautiful cloud formations, and a powerful ocean remind me of God's faithfulness.  The sun always rises.  The sun always sets.  The tide always comes in.  The tide always goes out.  Something very comforting in the routine of that!

I could go on and on and on.  My mind is so peaceful now, after focusing on all the good. 

"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:8,9