Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Got Water?


I like this, because it takes looking on the bright side a step further. In fact, reframing is one of my favorite coping mechanisms, and a lot of the time I can really turn my attitude around. How we package and present life to ourselves makes all the difference in whether we manage to enjoy the ups and downs that will always mark the journey. Maybe we can't and ought not turn the downs to ups (nor would we even want to turn the ups to downs), but we certainly can explore the upside of down and latch onto it as best we can. Hey, if you can't move the mountain, own the climb!

Things are never as bad as they seem.
Every nightmare is also a dream.
When the monsters loom large,
paint their toenails. Take charge.
Laugh or cry; it's your call. Stage that scene!
©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

Better to drink it up than drown in it.

15 comments:

leigh hewett said...

I love this, Sue!

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

I'll have to remind myself of your words of wisdom when I get in a blue funk. You are so right too.

Amy said...

The imagery of painting a monster's toenails has me laughing. Can I use that the next time my daughter is scared? Optimism really makes life so wonderful and fun. Who wouldn't want to be an optimist?

Jannie Funster said...

Paint a monster's toenails indeed! Jolly good plan.

You know the one about the jar full of pebbles always has enough room to fill up with a cup or 2 of coffee? And there's always time for coffee with friends!

karen said...

I like the image of painting a monster's toenails - very clever.
Sort of related, yet not: I heard on the "news" the other night (must have been a slow day...) that eating ice cream before bed can give you nightmares. So following that logic, if you turn down a yummy bowl full before bed in order to have sweeter dreams, is that painting the monster's toenails? I think so: it makes me slightly less grumpy about not having that treat.

Lisalulu said...

YES, thank you! and I like and ponder the phrase: 'ought not to'

Unknown said...

perfect. I was just explaining glass half full/empty to my daughter but now this is one better!

monster's toenails = genius

Karen Mortensen said...

Wonderful. Thanks for the new perspective.

Unknown said...

You are SO right! I've never really thought of 'reframing' but it sounds like something I've tried in my own life and it makes all the difference. I don't know that I'll ever look at a glass half empty again!

BECKY said...

So, so true! I love people who have such great attitudes!

Gail said...

Wonderfully said and good advice.

Caroline said...

I love that Sue--"If you can't move the mountain, OWN the climb!" I would love to frame THAT! Great perspective, as always.

:)

Unknown said...

I love the glass is always full. I am goign to remember this.

Grandma Honey said...

We certainly can stage our scene but I think it takes decades sometimes of living, to realize that. Good insight.

Terra said...

Oh I have to share this with Lauren