The Big Three: Good boy!

The world can be a crazy place. Sometimes it helps to step back and list a few of the things you’re grateful for. I’m making it a habit each week to list three blessings. Here’s what I’m grateful for this week, April 20 – 26.

What I’m grateful for:

—You can do it! Our Lhasa Apsa – Bichon Frise dog moved onto Doggy Heaven in February. It took some effort to watch this video, but it still made me grateful. It’s a 30-second video of various dogs reacting to being called a “good girl” or “good boy.” It lifts the spirit and makes me grateful that we had Nittany for 15 wonderful years. I’m also reminded that once in a while we all need a kind comment and some positive reinforcement.

If no one has told you today, you’re doing great. Let’s repeat that: You’re doing doing great. Hang in there. Keep on, keeping on.

—Letting go. I’ve learned over the years that each stage in life has its ups and its downs. I hated being told what to do as a kid, but I loved learning and the fun of “play.” Likewise in my 20s, I loved venturing out in the world.

You never know when something is going to be the last time you experience it, but I’ve been fortunate to at least see certain mileposts coming. I love this line from the movie, The Life of Pi. “I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.” I’m grateful for seeing the mileposts coming and making peace with the goodbyes.

—Now you see me, now you don’t. Our son came home last weekend. And was off again. Oh, he came home for a concert. He saw some rapper who I know nothing about and can’t even remember his name. And 24 hours later, he was off again. It was fun though to see him. It perfectly describes the life of a parent with adult kids. We’ll see him again in a few weeks when he’s back home for the summer. I can’t wait for our summer vacation at the beach and we get to chill and talk.

What gave me a smile?

Hmm, I found something the other day that makes sense, but still made me laugh.

I read that April is National Stress Awareness Day. Health professionals use the month to raise awareness stress on mental and physical health and to promote strategies for managing stress. They suggest seeking professional help, practicing relaxation techniques and engaging in physical activity.

Of course, the smart-ass in me couldn’t help but think about what else happens in April? Hello McFly. First there’s April 15, Tax Day in the United States, marking the deadline for filing federal income tax returns. Yes, that might have something to do with my own high stress levels.

Also I thought about important April Anniversaries. Hmm, there are a few. And they all seem to be rather stressful. The Revolutionary War started, the Titanic sunk, the Chernobyl disaster occurred, William Shakespeare died, and Writer T.S. Eliot thought April was such a winner that in his poem “The Waste Land,” he called April the Cruelest Month. Oh, the irony!

But here’s the positive side of things. May is right around the corner!