My husband and I went to Blowing Rock, NC for the day last week. We had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday in the mountains, we ate lunch and browsed the shops on Main Street; that is where I first saw this banner, pictured above. Little known to me (until now) there is an entire anti-Life Is Good marketing campaign, complete with merchandise. Let me take this time to explain why, exactly, I close my posts with three words: "Life is Good". For me it's not a throw-away phrase, not a trendy thing to say. I'm not an overly-optimistic, pie-in-the-sky, pollyanna; I know that some days aren't all good, and some days (or weeks or months) can be downright tragic and miserable. I have friends who are grieving and hurting right now, I grieve and hurt right along with them. I know that there are crappy moments in life; and, precisely because of that, I hang on to the fact that life is GOOD. I know that, I believe that, I live that. I had a Sunday School teacher years ago who told me that as Christians we should be prepared to give a reason for the hope that lies within us. I am ready, I can do that!
19 comments:
What a sad commentary on being!
I suspect that there are many readers, such as myself, who on their own "down" days have been lifted up by your steady reminder. Prolly more than you'll ever know, friend.
Very Sad commentary on life nowadays. I enjoy your blog and have wept(tears of laughter and tears of sadness) while reading some of your posts but you always manage to find the good. We all have difficult moments in life but cling to the hope that Life is Good and no matter how bad things get I have the people I love around me.
Time for me to get on my soapbox with you, Mrs. G.
Life is what you decide it is. We are all so blessed in so many ways. If your computer crashes while you're drinking your morning coffee and reading blogs, life is good. You are blessed enough to afford that cup of coffee and that computer time, and eyes to see and the ability to read, right? If you're having a crappy day at work, life is still good. You have a job.
If you're driving around with a "Life is Crap" bumper sticker on your car, you're a liar. You know you're life is good. You're driving around aren't you? You have somewhere to go, don't you? You had enough spare change to buy that silly bumper sticker, didn't you?
Yep. Life is good. Even in the worst of times, it is a gift from God. It is up to each of us to decide what to do with it.
I believe we could all use a big dose of optimism every minute of every day. I made a vow to myself and God in 2008 to always try to find something positive in every situation. Do I always succeed--No, but I feel like it has made my life and those around me much richer. Thanks for your inspiration!
Great Post...it is sad that folks don't see that even the least in this country are blessed beyond measure versus others in our world.
I agree with you 100 percent, LIFE should always be looked at as a gift. We all have had ups and downs and hope is always there for all to have the outlook of life is good. BTW I read your blog all the time and thanks for the beautiful words it is always an inspiration in my day.
Life really IS good, even on our worst days. Without that belief, one's life doesn't have much meaning. We should surround ourselves with people who make us happy and see the good in us, and pray for the folks for whom life is a burden. I have always believed that no matter how terrible a situation is, when we get on the other side of it, there is a positive that has come out of that struggle. No matter what, Life is Good, even if it might not seem that way at the moment. God gives us that hope every day.
Hug!
I started blogging shortly after my mother died from Alzheimer's, while dealing with my own depression and the long term ramifications of our son's mental illness... it was a determined step to seek out and share the positive, joyful, good moments and times in my everyday life, my colorful quilting journey, and to soak in the meaningful thoughts/photos posted by other bloggers.
Life IS tough, there are lots of bad days, there are lots of awful things that happen, there's too much uncertainty and fear, & there is more than enough pain to go around. When any one or more of these things move in and take over your life, it is necessary and wonderful to have others nearby who can help put it into perspective. We are deeply blessed to know that, like the lyrics of Annie's song, "the sun will come up tomorrow...."
I SO appreciate the hopeful individuals who maintain blogs that demonstrate through actions and not just words that life is truly good ~ and I feel sorry for those who don't get it.
I dont have any Christian beliefs but I do know Life IS Good!
Perhaps we get the crap stuff to remind us just HOW good it all really is!
Hugsx
Even I, with my sarcastic sense of humor, finds that to be just SAD. Sad that anyone would remotely think that, and sad that someone would find it a suitable pathway to financial profit. Just sad.
I saw a quote recently that I love...life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
I like my dancing shoes...
My brother is dealing with the reality right now that he may be facing terminal cancer. Believe me, every day he receives is a gift and he will be the first to say, Life is Good - appreciate it while you have it.
I can do that too. Life is good even when things go bad because we have a blessed hope. God did not promise every thing would be perfect. Look what Jesus went through for us. Praise God.
I am not a pollyanna either, but I do believe that life is what we make it. I have always loved the saying "Life is Good", especially when you say it in your posts. It has taken on a whole new meaning for me when reading your blog. I always have thought an attitude of gratitude is the best thing to have to go through each and every day. Even on my darkest days, I look for some reason to say "Life IS Good" - it's always, always there.
I agree somewhat. but remember the prayer, God grant me the serenity to change the things I can. accept the things I can not change and the wisdom to know the difference. it is the same in our lives. we can only change our attitude about things going on around us.. we have to have faith we will get by and help a brother or sister in need.even if only a hug or kind word. thanks for sharing, have a great day.
Wow... I'm shocked!
Life is all about choices - God's gift. It's sad that those people with those signs have chosen to give up hope.
The only thing that comes to mind is "as a man thinketh".
You know a few years ago when they had the Dawson college massacre in Montreal, I went on the site that the perpetrator had a profile (it wasn't My Space but some goth site). I wanted to learn about these types of personality that frequent these sites, get into their heads so to speak. As I read some of their creative writing posts, it was so depressing. So much pain, sadness and suicidal thoughts. All these individuals with the same frame of mind, reaching out to each other. The dark leading the dark! I also understand the powers of the mind. Being alone in one's head during with no adult supervision during dark times can be dangerous! My heart when out to these kids!
Life is what you make it! Life IS good!
Life certainly is Good, and for some of us a lot better than othersThe old saying is true " Negatives stay in the dark room "Don't go there, I am re reading the Screwtape Letters by C.S.Lewis. It makes me smile . Life is Good.
Thanks for your encouraging blog...yes indeed life is good! My husband preached this morning from Ephesians, he spoke of Christ being our liberator and for those of us who know Him as our saviour this is so but of course for those who don't know this truth their life may well be crap and I guess our mission is to share the love and grace of God with them to hopefully enable them to see this truth.
This is a wonderful post that I will copy and hang up in my sewing room. That's what I love about your blog..it is always so positive and uplifting. You are so right....Life Is Good!!!
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