:) :)

I got to spend time with a friend tonight, it wasn't long but there is something about being around good people who let you be you that makes me smile. I can be silly and nerdy and myself and it is good. They can be silly and nerdy and it is good. It is nice to be oneself and not feel like you are judged for it, but rather appreciated for it. Appreciation and acceptance go a long way in life. :)

My favorite song

Today I played one of my favorite songs over and over and over again. I had to play it on Youtube because I have yet to buckle down and buy the CD. It is the song called "To Get Me To You" sung by Lila McCann on the Hope Floats soundtrack. This song makes me happy. It reminds me of college days, it reminds me that the trials we face in life are worth it. That no matter how hard or long the road, we need that road and it has a happy ending. No matter how hard or long the roads in our lives, they are needed.

direction

Today was a GREAT day. It is amazing how someone can say something that some how pricks you and gives you insight, direction, hope, or whatever for your life. My friend mentioned a few things out last night which led me to a realization. I know what I want to do with my life right now. It makes me happy, it makes me excited, it is good. And then this afternoon someone made an offer on my house that I am attempting to short sale. The Lord does bless us, things do come together, but it is in His timetable and His way. But His timetable and His ways are so much better than ours, though the path may seem harder at times, it is FAR better.

good friends, good food, good games, good times

There is something to be said about spending time with those that bring you up. There is a joy about healthy associations. More than just the enjoyment of good times, there is a joy of uplifting each other by just being around each other. Good friends make you better at the end of the day because you know them. They do not force you to better yourself, but rather you are better because of them. They may not fix the problems of your life, but they do enrich it and you and help you face life's challenges.

Girl Time

I am a firm believer that sometimes girls just need girl time. It is so very important to associate ourselves with other women. To laugh about life, eat good food, talk about whatever, and come to realize we are not the only ones having these crazy moments in life. I am grateful for the time I get to spend with other women. Learn from them, be silly around them, and just be girls.

People

There seem to be a lot of things in our lives that can bring us joy and make us happy. Whether it be the chance to serve a friend to walking in the stream, it is good. Today I would say that it is people that brighten my soul. I am full of happiness for the success of a friend. I am full of joy being around good people. I am full of joy watching a grandmother and a grandpa in the park with their grandchild. I am full of joy watching parents in the park together with their children. It made me smile to see the pride of a little girl that caught a water jumper at the stream. It made me happy to see people outside playing with their dogs.

small steps

I think often we get a little discouraged in our lives when we see small steps of progress because they are not BIG steps of progress. But in all actuality progress is a good thing. Today I had a few areas of baby step progress. How good it is that we are improving, it doesn't happen over night, but it happens gradually. We can find strength in our baby steps. We can find joy in it. :)