A Spoonful of Optimism

A Pause

2010-04-26T11:18:00.001-07:00

I have paused recently in posting these optimistic blog posts. Not because things are any less optimistic. On the contrary, things have probably been more positive for me personally in recent days than they have ever been.

I am in the middle of a great vacation and posting this from the waiting room of a Dodge service department where my truck sits awaiting a new radiator to be delivered.

I know that most of you are in bummerville for me. Well don't be. It isn't that bad and I am getting a chance to blog.

Do you see how I flipped that around ? It is easy to view the current situation as half empty, but those who learn to see it as half full, find true happiness. Think about the happiest people you know. Now picture them in a bad situation. Let's say their car breaks down thousands of miles from home. How do they react ? I bet the mental picture you conjure doesn't involve them kicking and screaming.

This is my optimistic lesson for the day. Life can be happy or sad. It can be half full or half empty. It's up to you and how you look at it. My wonderful wife once said, "stop worrying about how full the glass is, and just drink up"!

DRINK UP !

Anthony Hargrove a story about the dangers of fame

2010-02-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

Money isn't everything they say. Well, I'd like to submit this to you in a different way. Saying that money isn't everything, may be making dangerously light of the situation. Money is something. Money is a powerful thing that most often times causes the underlying issues that we all have buried, to surface.

Money often times, throws fuel on the fire of doubt, depression, loneliness, and all manner of emotions, which we tend to bury. These buried emotions are as embers waiting for the fuel needed to ignite.

Money starts the fire roaring out of control and unfortunately it often takes hitting the bottom to realize what's happening. It seems that we aren't wired to seek God until we've hit bottom.

This is a great example of that and what can happen once you seek him.

Anthony Hargrove went on to play for the Saints and after last night we all know how that story goes !! The Saints won their first superbowl !! Check out this video... and learn from the trials of others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Io7eTgt2TU

Click the link Above for the Video !!

Ammonia Beef

2010-02-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

I know what you must be thinking, "how can Ammonia Beef, be optimistic?"

Well, let me explain. The U.S.D.A approved a method for "cleaning" up ground beef that would otherwise be waste or at best be used in pet food. This is horrible news. They take the ammonia filled meat and add it back to the good meat and it's sold to the big fast food chains and grocery chains. The U.S.D.A was so convinced in this method that they lifted the need to check it for salmonella and other deadly bacteria. The company that produces it has found at least two 27,000 pound batches stricken with the bacteria and stopped shipment of it and that's just the ones they told us about.

I'm writing this post for two very important reasons. One is to inform you of this horrible thing that is going on and two is to show you that we can find a half full glass even in this.

This news makes it rather easy to avoid ground beef and when you think about it, how healthy is GROUND beef anyway ?

What I mean by that is, the typical ways that we cook and prepare ground beef are as a general rule not very good for you. Burgers are loaded in grease and fat. Meat loaf can't be thought of as health food, (even if it is a family tradition) and even spaghetti isn't the best choice for our health.

Much of the ground beef effected by this would probably be best if left alone anyway, so lets just leave it alone. I for one have no desire to eat any ground beef since hearing this news and if I have to have a Burger I can always buy my ground beef from a local butcher, less the Ammonia.

This is great news, I otherwise could have been powerless to stop the "Value Meal" !!

Optimistically Standing up for Christ

2010-01-17T14:57:00.000-08:00

When the news came out that Tiger Woods was in Hattiesburg, Ms for sexual addiction treatment, many of us Christians thought about how Tiger needed more than counselors, he needed to find Jesus. Many of us Christians began praying for him again. Many of us hadn't stopped praying for him.

Many lost people drove by Pine Groves treatment center and wondered if this treatment would work for Tiger. Many lost people wondered what was the real solution for his problems. Many thought that he had no hope and stood no chance.

Many of us Christians knew that there was a hope. Many of us Christians knew that Jesus, was that hope. Many of us knew that he has a chance. Many of us Christians wished we could somehow let people know.

One of us did !!

Stephen Hannabass walked into the office at work and asked myself and a few others on break, if we had heard about Tiger Woods being in Pine Grove. None of us had and someone pulled up the news article. Everyone was a little shocked........

But, one of us did something !!

Stephen Hannabass has devoted all of his free time lately to ending abortion in Mississippi and has been working with Personhood Mississippi collecting signatures to do just that. For more information check out http://www.personhoodmississippi.com/, Contact Stephen via Facebook, or ask me and I can get you in touch with him.

Many people drove by and read the precious name of Jesus Christ that day. Many people read it in the newspaper or saw it on the news. Several Churches used his good works to teach their congregations important lessons. Many people paused to contemplate their own relationships with Christ. Many will question what they are doing to proclaim the Gospel !!

This is thanks to one man doing something !!

One man, that I am proud to call a friend !!

Optimistic Thoughts

2010-01-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

I'll have to admit that there have been a lot less positive thoughts being produced than I am usually capable of. Lately there has been a great deal of mourning and somehow I think that's healthy too. It kind of flushes your system and you come out of the other side with new perspective.

I didn't loose my optimistic, glass half full outlook through it. Although my half glass of milk seems to have been poured into a different glass. A glass more difficult to see through. There sat my milk but I had to struggle to see how full it was.

But such is life.

It seems that this entry will be less about me giving you optimistic thoughts and more about telling you that it is possible to be optimistic even when circumstances look grim. Although you can no longer view your milk through the side of your glass, you can lift your head high and look in over the rim of it.

It it still half full so drink up !!

A few optimistic quotes

2010-01-03T18:24:00.000-08:00

The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser - in case you thought optimism was dead.

-Robert Brault-

Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.

Charles Spurgeon

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.

Charles Spurgeon

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:7-10 NKJV)

Family Reunion

2010-01-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

Today was the annual Trosclair family reunion and we made the yearly trek to southern Louisiana for the festivities. I don't know of many families that still get together for reunions and for the effort I commend this one.

The Trosclair family is my wife's fathers family and the closeness that this family holds, is amazing. Many miles separate most of them and through it all they start their New Year, every year "TOGETHER" !

Together, is important. There is a certain sense of security and optimism that comes from beginning your year surrounded by people that love you. You leave the reunion and start your new year, with the feeling that you can take on the world, and even if you don't take on the world...... Your family loves you ! Even if you fail at your resolutions this year..... You still have your family.

If your family doesn't have a reunion I highly recommend it. As a matter of fact, I may even see about setting one up for my family. Until next time, remember to be optimistic.

An optomistic conversation between my Children and their Uncle Joseph

2009-12-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

THIS IS WHERE THE CONVERSATION BEGINS WITH ARIANA AND LAUREN.. ARIANA IS 7 AND LAUREN IS 6 AND THIS IS THE CONVERSATION THAT Their Uncle Joe had with them, via chat. The kids did all their own typing with no help. They struggled with the word Christmas but, then quickly retrieved their Nativity story book from the shelf and found the word they needed.Uncle Joe has been sick and so you'll notice their refrences to that. Optimism through, THE EYES OF OUR LITTLE ONES............ Our Christian little ones, whom we are very proud of.

Lauren and Ariana- howare you feeling

Joseph- Still sick

Lauren and Ariana- i love you im so sorry

Joseph- it's Ok.. I'll get better..

Lauren and Ariana-we all love you

Joseph- Well I love all of you too.. Ya'll enjoy ya'lls selves babies.. Uncle Paran (nickname for God father) Loves all of you..

Lauren and Ariana- well god will help you feel better real soon.

Joseph- I know my little one... Just pray for me and all of us.. We love you aunt misty and all the kids as well..

Lauren and Ariana- will pray for you

Joseph- Thank you my little ANGEL

Lauren and Ariana- merry christmas

Joseph- Merry Chrismas to you too..

Lauren and Ariana- good night

Joseph- You know that Baby Jesus was being prepared to be born this time 2009 years ago?\

Lauren and Ariana- awesome

Joseph- his mother and Joseph were set out on a Donkey looking for a place to stay to have the baby Jesus.. his mother Mary

Lauren and Ariana- mary really loved him

Joseph- yes she sure did.. He was her Gift From God To The World.. to you and me the same Do you know why we celebrate Christmas??

Lauren and Ariana- no room atthe inn but in his heart was the love for the world god not santa clause

Joseph- God is the reason for all things Baby.. But the Reason that we Celebrate Christmas Is that Jesus Birth Into the world was God's reincarnation of himself in the flesh of one of us.. His power and his might in a baby to be born In Bethlehem.. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas Cause without Christ, there is no CHRISTmas. There would be no love like we know today

Lauren and Ariana- in jesuses heart he loved everyone

Joseph Yes he sure did.. And he still does today too

Lauren and Ariana- in his heart

Joseph- and in his spirit which dwells with in each of us..

Lauren and Ariana- we are his heart right

Joseph- You know the feeling you get when you pray and you feel something but don't know what it is? That's the Spirit of Christ In you letting you know that he hears you.. Yes You are right WE are his heart.

Joseph- I love you girls with all my heart and Love to see that ya'll are growing in Christ so Beautifully.. I pray for you both to Grow into the Already beautiful Girls you are and Continue to Follow Christ No matter what the World Throws in your way. Never give up On Him Cause I promise you He'll Never Give up on you..

Lauren and Ariana- i love you bye daddy has to go to work wat

Joseph ok.. well tell daddy that Uncle Joe Loves him and Prays for him to have a good night and that he hopes he don't have to work to hard

Lauren and Ariana- i have to tell you god will make you feel better to

Joseph I know. He is working on it.. Not in our time but in his time.

Finding Optimism

2009-12-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

Finding optimism in difficult situations can be, very difficult. Our little happy home was recently become rather busy with taking care of my step-mother. She was diagnosed with cancer of the lungs that has spread into her lymph nodes, adrenal glands and brain. Her cancer is at a stage four making the prognosis grim.

Optimism has been difficult to find as our normal happy life during the holidays has been tossed about like the S.S. Minnow on a three hour tour. We are learning to go with the flow though and take it one day at a time.

On one of the trips to the cancer center, as I sat in the waiting room watching Andy Griffith, (seems to always be on there), I over heard a lady talking with the nurse.

The nurse tells her that they were going to start doing chemo twice a day for three weeks and she'd have to stay in the waiting room six hours between sessions.

WOW !!! It could always be worse. Once a day doesn't seem so bad now.

Writers Group

2009-12-07T22:18:00.000-08:00

Tonight was our monthly writer's group meeting and as usual it was great. There is something very uplifting about getting together with kindred spirits. Even if much of the talk strays far from writing. We laugh until we cry and enjoy lots of great conversation.

I know that everyone doesn't write, but I highly recommend finding or founding some sort of group that aligns with your interests. I believe this type of gathering is sadly a dying one and we are all suffering for it.

As humans, we crave interaction with other humans, it's why villages form and grow to towns and cities and so on. We desire interaction and benefit greatly from it.

The days of old are fading and gone with them are the bowling leagues, softball leagues, and roller skating rinks. All these things were used as social activities to benefit our souls. Sure Facebook is great, but Face to Face can't be replaced.

So try it out. Create a group or find one in your area and enjoy time spent with people who enjoy the same things that you enjoy. Your spirits will be lifted !!

The Once Monthly Board Game Night

2009-11-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

We have been getting together with friends for a game night and are going to try to keep up this once monthly pace. This is a great way to lift your spirits from the gloom that often times surrounds our daily grind. So far we have played several really good games and spent much time laughing. I think laughter really is the best medicine.

Games involving scharades are great for laughter and we have had lots of fun with trivia games as well, but even a plain old card game can certainly help to lift your spirits. So try to get one of these nights going if you can, it's great therapy for the soul.

Thanksgiving !!

2009-11-26T01:26:00.000-08:00

Today is perhaps the most optimistic day of the year. It's Thanksgiving !

The day that we say, "we are so blessed."

The day that we say "it could be a lot worse."

The day that we enjoy our optimism.

Everyone knows the story of the pilgrims. They had a rough time and in the end it worked out and they were thankful.

This is our day to realize that when we step back and look at our lives, it's all working out.

Sure, there are things we don't like.

There are certain aspects we'd change, but in all, it's good.

Sometimes our families can aggravate us. But, we wouldn't trade them for the world. Sometimes life can aggravate us but, we're alive, we're healthy, and we're Thankful !

Have a Great Thanksgiving !!

Things I've learned from my Wife

2009-11-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

The list of things I have learned from my wife, would be endless, so I am going to try to just post some of them here. I am one who believes that some good can be found in the worst people. You can learn something from your enemies and every cloud has a silver lining. This being said, we should be able to learn loads of important things from our life partner, soul mate and best friend. Here are some of the things I've learned from my amazing wife.

Be Free

My wife is the most free spirited person I have ever met. She just simply will not be held down by the stresses of life that bother the rest of us. She awakes with a smile and dances through her day. Schedules always take a back seat to enjoying her family and just being free.

Be Child Like without being childish

My lovely wife has a child like outlook on things. My Wife never lets the future interrupt the enjoyment she is having now. She looks at the big picture with a child like sense of wanderlust and finds the good no matter the bad. She finds no bad in people and enters into every friendship fully trusting and genuinely believing that people are good ! She never fears a broken heart and plunges into every category of love in the same way..... with her whole heart !

Beauty is NOT skin deep

Beauty begins in a kind, loving heart and radiates outwardly until it encompasses all that are touched by it. My wife is the most beautiful woman, I have ever seen and it's not just her outward beauty that I refer to. On her worst day, her kind loving heart shines through. Outwardly she is stunning but, it's her beautiful spirit that will keep her beautiful forever. For to know her is to Love her !

Forget about social class or anything else that hinders loving people

My wife doesn't see any difference in the rich or the poor, she only sees people. She will treat you as a friend whether she's known you for years or just met you. To her whether your rich or poor, you will be treated as family.

Understand that people are important and should be remembered

My wife remembers the names of everybody she meets and if you give her time she will memorize your birthday and anniversary too. Is it because she has a great memory and is just uncanny in the memory department ? No ! It's because to her, you are important enough to remember.

I'll stop this one here for now. But, walk away with this.... try to learn from those around you and Love ! That's right, just Love ! Love people, Love situations, and Love life !

Food Blogging

2009-11-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

Great News, I have a new blog writing job. I am now a food blogger for http://www.hubcitylife.net/ !

Hub City Life is a community site, providing,.... well.... Community !

It's all about Hattiesburg, Ms and surrounding areas and it's a place where your feed back is welcome. As feed back is left the site will be in an ever changing cycle of providing what the Community wants.

Hub City Life provides information on local restaurants like menus and directions. You can check on reservation requirements and access the phone number to call and make them. A picture of the restaurant is provided and coming along, one restaurant at a time through a great staff of food bloggers, "which includes yours truly", we will be providing reviews on area restaurants.

These informative reviews, will hopefully help you to decide where to spend that special evening. As you browse the huge variety of dining establishments, the pine belt has to offer. Whether your planning lunch or diner and a movie, Hub City Life is the place to be and the Great News, is I get to be a part of it.

Local theaters are listed and current movies and showtimes are just a click away. You can also check reviews from other Hub City Lifers and get a better idea of how it's doing locally. As if this weren't enough we also provide trailers to the movies to help your decision along. All in all this is a great web site and while still in the Beta stage it already rocks.

Speaking of rock, coming soon to Hub City Life is a section on the local night life scene. Featuring area bands and other attractions. That's right, pretty soon at Hub City Life, you'll be able to plan all of your Hattiesburg area fun.

Setting up an account is easy and is very similar to facebook and will even link directly to facebook, importing your information right over. This is a great feature that eliminates the lengthy application process of most sites. If you haven't visited yet, you should check it out and while your there you can read my blog !!

Optimism from a Clint Eastwood kind of perspective.

2009-11-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

I haven't been sick in a while, but now it has happened. I have gotten some sort of sore throat upper respiratory thing going on. It hasn't left me feeling too bad, but I can scarcely talk on account of it. As I sat at my computer wondering what my next blog should be and trying to convince myself that being "sick" was not a good reason to not blog, it hit me.

Maybe it was the raspy voice that I have now, I'm not sure, but I decided that it was about time to look at our optimistic journey from a more take charge kind of source. I decided Clint Eastwood would be a fine start. I don't really mean just his characters in movies though, although they sure were no nonsense take charge kind of guys. I may expand into some other action stars in the future as well so stay tuned.

I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will. Clint Eastwood

I really think about this one a lot. The more I think about this, the more I realize it's truth. Not that I'm incredibly successful, or never a pessimist. It's just that I look around and notice that everyone who is a success seems to have dove in without a negative thought in their heads. The idea of failure never crossed their minds and the things most of us call failure seems to be a mere bump in the road to them. This is the kind of take charge never give up attitude we need to develop. You can do it. Doing it is not the question, it's "HOW" ?

I've never met a genius. A genius to me is someone who does well at something he hates. Anybody can do well at something he loves - it's just a question of finding the subject.

Clint Eastwood

Here you have the same kind of thing, it's not can you succeed. It's how and doing what ??

If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster.

Clint Eastwood

Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power.

Clint Eastwood

Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better, you have to take things into your own hands. Clint Eastwood

These are just a few and I'm sure there are plenty of other good ones out there. Just remember you CAN do it. Don't give up on your dreams take charge with a positive attitude and unwavering resolve. Then just decide how ?

The Good News

2009-11-02T23:24:00.000-08:00

The good news for today.......

Where do I begin ? I had the day off, and awoke to a fire roaring in the fireplace. I immediately crawled onto the couch and cuddled with my wonderful wife. We reminisced of days gone by. We talked about times in the early days of our relationship when we had enjoyed, great time in each others arms. We watched our kids play and enjoyed the morning.

The fire warmed the house from the inside as the sun was busy warming it from the outside and pretty soon the house was warm enough to begin our day. We just mostly enjoyed each others company and did some school with the kids all morning. We are really pushing the reading area right now. They have been working hard on phonics and now we've reached a place where some serious application is in order. This said, the kids spent most of their morning taking turns reading Amelia Bedelia to Mommy and Daddy. "They are getting pretty good at it too."

When the time came we got ready and headed to town. Not the tiny one that we live in, but to the big city miles away. Our day finished late and as you can see mine still isn't complete.

I usually don't blog much about my personal stuff, but this is an exception. Today was great and my day was great enough for you to be happy too. That's a joke, but seriously it was a great day.

Today I thought I'd post some headlines from different news sources and what is good about them. So here it goes.......

Woman calls 911 to report herself as drunk driver

This is actually a great story. They kind of jam it in there on most news sites as just another sad or strange headline, but if you'll take a breath and think about the implications here, I'm sure you'll see the good. It's not often that this kind of thing happens. Let's face it, when you've had to many to drink, you become ten feet tall and bullet proof and driving doesn't seem like a bad idea. So the fact that this lady pulled it together enough to realize she didn't need to be behind the wheel is a miracle. Especially at a whopping two times the limit..... She managed to phone the police while driving and tell them she was drunk and she did this without having an accident. WOW !!

The only bad news here is they charged her anyway. Way to encourage this kind of behaviour. The rest of this story is a big thumbs up.

Saints stay perfect with 35-27 win over Falcons

Sports fan or not you have got to admit we all enjoy rooting for the under dog and the New Orleans Saints have always been the under dog. They are the closest thing to a pro team many of us southerners have. From Louisiana to Mississippi across to Alabama lots of southerners consider the saints their team. Even the ones like me who never follows football. So to see these guys remain undefeated is good news, even if you aren't a fan. Maybe they will make it to the Super Bowl this year, without buying tickets. After Katrina ravaged New Orleans several years ago leading to the city ongoing recovery, a win like that would sure be great news for New Orleans and those of us who like to see the good guys finish first.

82 healthy sea turtles hatch at San Diego SeaWorld

Great news !!

Inspiration from Dr. Suess

2009-11-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

Dr. Suess,

Ah the things that we have all learned from the great Dr. Suess. As children we read his amazing books. They were funny. They were well versed and flowed off our tongues and into our ears. The whimsical ideas and thoughts produced, stayed with us and shaped the adults that we have become. Yet, when we become adults we start to think that we can no longer benefit from childish things. I think this is wrong. I know that if we still look at things with a childlike faith and sense of wonder we can have adventures unimaginable. That being said, here is some inspiration from the Doctor who can heal this virus called being an adult..... Dr. Suess !!

A person's a person, no matter how small.-- Dr. Seuss

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.-- Dr. Seuss

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.-- Dr. Seuss

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.-- Dr. Seuss

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.-- Dr. Seuss

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.-- Dr. Seuss

Dr. Suess was rejected 27 times before his children's books were accepted by editors. This is the kind of persistence that we should all have. If you believe in your vision and stick with it you can make it work.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." — Dr. Seuss

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not." Dr. Seuss

The glass

2009-10-28T21:13:00.001-07:00

"A wise woman (my Wife),once said "stop worrying about the glass being half full or half empty and just get up and get some more kool-aid !" Now that's optimistic. Just get up and fill your glass. Sometimes we spend too much time thinking positive and not enough time doing positive things. If you are content with half a glass then ponder on it. But if you want a full glass, you have to get up and fill it !!

Wisdom from Alice in Wonderland

2009-10-27T01:36:00.001-07:00

Here are a few quotes from Lewis Carol's, Alice in Wonderland. I know that we have all either read this book or seen the cartoon, but if you look at the deeper life application here, I think you'll find it quite brilliant.

The Duchess: Tut, tut, child! Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it.

Alice: I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!

The King: Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

Alice: But then, shall I never get any older than I am now? That'll be a comfort, one way -- never to be an old woman -- but then -- always to have lessons to learn!

Alice: It would be so nice if something made sense for a change.

Doorknob: Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.

2009-10-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

– Helen Keller

Helen Keller, was the first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

She over came great challenges to become a successful author, lecturer and an inspiration even all these years later !

Good News !!

2009-10-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

The good news is I am starting a new blog. Well, that's the good news, so far. The idea is to have a blog with less depth than other blogs. Less depth than MY other blog. This will be a blog of short uplifting posts. Maybe quotes from famous people. Maybe some jokes. Maybe just a piece of good news. I hope to also look at current events in a more positive way. It's a simple idea I had, to provide something uplifting for everyone, but especially those who aren't big readers. This will be your one stop, for something to raise your spirits. Somewhere to go, when you need a laugh or a smile. Hopefully I'll post things often, maybe even everyday, if I get the followers. I hope you will enjoy !!