Hello? Is this thing on? Anybody out there? In case anyone was cares, I'm still here.
2009 has thrown me some unexpected curve balls that have sapped a lot of my creative drive and energy. It's been all I can do to try keep things together and muddle through as best as I can.
Almost immediately after my last post in January, I lost the job that I loved, and was out of work for several months. Despite an excellent resume and references, there weren't a lot of openings and the things that were available were swamped with applicants. Losing my job 3 months after buying a house in a rocky economy was terrifying. Fortunately, I ended up with a really good offer. It's been a bit of culture shock, but I love my new boss and the people I work with. I'm settling in and starting to find my groove now. I'm so grateful that during these difficult times that I was able to find good work and continue to provide for my family.
There have been other trials for me and my family, including the loss of my other grandfather and recurring health issues, but I've been able to make it through in large part because of my faith, my very kind and supportive husband, and a whole host of great friends and family members who have been there to laugh and cry with me.
Throughout as a result of the many challenges of the year, I am convinced more than ever that your choice of attitude makes a huge difference with how well you weather the hand you've been dealt. I naturally went through all the expected processes of grieving, depression and fear, but I made a conscious effort not to let myself fall apart and wallow in negativity. It wasn't always easy. There were days I just wanted to stay in bed with the covers pulled over my head. But I didn't. I made myself get up and move forward. I've tried to find the positive in each experience (sometimes it took a LOT of digging to find). I've tried to find ways that I can personally work to be a better person through it. I've tried to make sure that I stop and count my blessings when I find myself on that slippery slope of self-pity. It's amazing how much I found my burdens lifted from my shoulders by making the choices to be positive.
When I read the quote below on a blog today, it so closely related to what I feel that it prompted me to break my blogging silence to share it with you.
Enthusiastic Attitude
Stop fighting against what you have to do.
Turn it into what you want to do.
For any given task, you can be miserable and plodding or you can be enthusiastic and highly effective.
It all depends on your attitude.
Instead
of dreading and avoiding something that you must get done, choose to
look forward to it. Then jump in, make it happen, and get it finished
once and for all.
It's really very easy to make a change in your attitude.
You can do it without lifting a finger.
With a positive, enthusiastic attitude toward whatever task you must complete, the work will go more quickly and smoothly.
And, you'll feel a whole lot better while doing it.
Decide that you truly want to get it done, and soon you'll be reaping the rewards of your effective effort.
-- Ralph Marston

Kathleen Dougherty makes amazing costumes and children's clothes that she gives away on her blog. Having made a number of costumes in my time, I can't imagine how she can bear to part with some of her creations