This is not about glasses that are half full or half empty-well OK, sort of I guess. Really though this is about the kind of glasses that help you to see and about life lessons.

This morning as I was putting on my glasses I remembered an old friend who had worn “coke bottle” glasses for as long as I had known her. One day I complained that I had worn glasses since I was 12 years old. It was one of those “Poor Me” kind of whiney comments.

She looked at me and said, ” Judith I have worn glasses for as long as I can remember and I think it is such blessing. Without my glasses, I could not see.” Obviously, that was the end of my complaints about wearing glasses, and the end too of my complaining about a host of other things. Sometimes it takes just a word or just one person to change your perspective.

Are YOU listening for that one word?

Wake up, get up, and breathe. Mindfully take five deep breaths and with each one, call to mind a blessing for which you are grateful. Think of something that pleases you, a person you like, something comfortable you ae going to where today, a healthy breakfast, that first cup of coffee or tea, the fact that you can see and feel the world around you, a book you are enjoying, something on TV you have been looking forward too, a friend coming over for a masked chat, a walk, your dog or other pet who needs and loves you, calling your child, grandchild, or old friend, checking out your email or Facebook for something interesting…….I could go on and on. Take your five deep breaths and let me know your thoughts!

If you think you are only a drop in the bucket of life, you ae missing the point, the bigger picture, and a bunch of self-esteem!

Since May, I have had, just like everybody else I imagine, some good days, some bad days, some really bad days, some ok days and yes, some really great days. In spite of everything, I have actually had some quite super days. When I start to feel down, I try to look back to those days and remember what made them so super. So, here are some shared tips for bringing ourselves UP and not letting the really bad days win.

1. Get up and take a shower, get dressed, and have a cup of something and eat a little breakfast even if you are not “hungry.”
2. Do some stretch exercises just for 5 minutes.
3. Go for a walk, go to the gym, just get outside. Yes, even if it is really cold, put on whatever you need and go out even if it is just for 15 minutes.
4. Do a 10 minute house job and a 10 minute yard job.
5. Work on you hobby-If you don’t have a hobby, GET ONE!
6. Call someone. Make it a point to chat with another grown up even for just a few minutes.
7. Read the paper.
8. Read one of “your” books. I read books in a series and I like murder mysteries Agatha Christie style.
9. Re-arrange some stuff in your house just for fun.
10. Cook/bake something

A very dear friend of ours from Church died suddenly day before yesterday. It really made me think about not only loss and sorrow, but what it means to be a friend. In these times it is so difficult to go out to lunch or shop or go to a movie or so many other things we used to do with friends. Our sense of togetherness is limited to unsatisfactory phone calls and even more unsatisfactory masked encounters.

We must keep up the good fight. Wear a mask. Deep your distance, and try to hold tight with all of your heart. Times simply must be better before too long. This is not about politics or religion. It is about being sure that the relationships we hold dear and the values we care about are kept constant.

It is a gray day today but I am not letting it get me down and neither should you. I just read my grandson a book called “Count Your Blessings” in which the Berenstein Bears learn how to count their blessings instead of wanting toys and “stuff” seen at a friend’s house. What an eye opener for not only my grandson (aged 5) but me as well. The little bears are sitting in front of a nice fire with mom and dad and being loved and they learn that THAT is the biggest blessing of all. Today, think about someone who cares for you but also think about someone YOU care about and give them a call, a thought, or a prayer!