Good Morning, Sunshine!

Is that you that we're talking to? Are you a ray of sunshine when you get up in the morning? I make it a point to be, and for those not-so-sunshiny folks, I can be quite annoying with my sunny disposition. The fact is, I don't need an alarm clock -- mine is built-in -- usually, right on time between 6:30 am and 7:00 am. I get up, get my thermal mug of coffee, post my morning blog and FB message, and enjoy a few precious quiet moments at the beginning of the day before the phone starts ringing and my daily routine and responsibilities begin. I taught myself to be this way. It was a decision I made years ago, and it has sure paid off for me.

Most of the time, I start my day in a state of joy and gratitude. I love the feel of a new day, with all the potential of new opportunities and moments to enjoy. Michael Buble sings this song so well: “It’s a new dawn; It’s a new day; It’s a new life, for me, and I’m feeling good!”

It astounds me that people say: "I am not a morning person so don't talk to me until I've had a cup of coffee!" They imply "I'll be in a bad mood until I get my coffee!" Okay, so I'm big on being positive and optimistic, and when I hear someone say that, I think "And, they are getting what they are saying. They will never be a morning person as long as they keep saying that!" If I woke up in a MOOD, my Mama would say: "You got up on the wrong side of the bed. Go get back in, please, and get up on the right side!" My Mama didn't take too well to crankiness and grumpiness (and believe me, she had plenty to be cranky and grumpy about) so she taught me to bring sunshine to our mornings. The fact is, if our family and friends have to deal with our crankiness and grumpiness, just because we had to get up -- it has the potential to dampen even morning persons' spirits.
God loves "morning" people, so that's reason enough to become a "morning" person. Listen to His Word here:

~ "Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are NEW EVERY MORNING; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

~ "I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me." - Proverbs 8:17

God promises that His great love for us and unfailing compassion (and mercies) are new every morning. So, whether we are a morning songbird getting up at 6, 8 or 10, or a night owl, the point is that everyday is a brand new day with God and joy and gratitude should be our reason for getting up. So, say: "Good-bye YESTERDAY, with all the mistakes and worries and fears, and say "GOOD MORNING, Sunshine! It's gonna' be a GREAT day!"

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Is that you that we're talking to? Are you a ray of sunshine when you get up in the morning? I make it a point to be. I don't need an alarm clock -- mine is built-in -- usually, right on time between 6:00 am and 6:30 am. I get up, get my thermal mug of coffee, post my morning blog and FB message, and enjoy a few precious quiet moments at the beginning of the day before the phone starts ringing and my daily routine and responsibilities begin. I taught myself to be this way.

Most of the time, I start my day in a state of joy and gratitude. I love the feel of a new day, with all the potential of new opportunities and moments to enjoy. Michael Buble sings this song so well: “It’s a new dawn; It’s a new day; It’s a new life, for me, and I’m feeling good!”

It astounds me that people say: "I am not a morning person so don't talk to me until I've had a cup of coffee!" They imply "I'll be in a bad mood until I get my coffee!" Okay, so I'm big on being positive and optimistic, and when I hear someone say that, I think "And, they are getting what they are saying. They will never be a morning person as long as they keep saying that!" If I got up in a MOOD, my Mama would say: "You got up on the wrong side of the bed. Go get back in, please, and get up on the right side!" My Mama didn't take too well to crankiness and grumpiness (and believe me, she had plenty to be cranky and grumpy about) so she taught me to bring sunshine to our mornings. The fact is, if our family and friends have to deal with our crankiness and grumpiness, just because we had to get up -- it has the potential to dampen even morning persons' spirits.

God loves "morning" people, so that's reason enough to become a "morning" person. Listen to His word here:

~ "Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are NEW EVERY MORNING; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

~ "I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me." - Proverbs 8:17.

God promises that His great love for us and unfailing compassion (and mercies) are new every morning. So, whether we are a morning songbird getting up at 6, 8 or 10, or a night owl, the point is that everyday is a brand new day with God and joy and gratitude should be our reason for getting up. So, say: "Good-bye YESTERDAY, with all the mistakes and worries and fears, and say "GOOD MORNING, Sunshine! It's gonna' be a GREAT day!"

So last week my son asked me if I would be going to the Michael Bublé Concert in Tulsa this week. Because I'm still a hopeless romantic over the love my Honey and I shared, I responded, "No, Michael Buble' reminds me too much about how much Daddy and I loved his music." The words were no sooner out of mouth when I thought...."What? Are you kidding me? Did I say that? Where did that remark come from? I, who would be kicked out of a Widows Support Group because I'm so on purpose with living in joy and peace -- living life large, not looking in the rear view mirror, but I'm full throttle on my assignment here -- enjoying the beautiful life God has given me. And, why wouldn't I go and experience Michael's God-given talent and voice that is so soothing, unique -- not to mention he is quite funny!"

I know, during this season of my life, it's so beneficial to have new experiences and friendships and humor......lots of humor. In my community, there are five of us widows who LIVE outrageously. We don't sit around and talk about being sad and we don't sing sad songs. Instead, when we get together, we do lots of new things, and we have lots of fun experiences. So, when my friend, Marcia, called to say she had four tickets for the Michael Buble' Concert in OKC, and asked, "Wanna' go?" I didn't flinch and said, "YES, and I'll drive!"

And, WOW, it was a night of special favors. from God. Beautiful cool weather (seriously -- a cool day in OK in August), our tickets were half priced, found a great parking place right at BrickTown -- $8 instead of other lots at $20, met some Bricktown ambassadors who encouraged us to go Bourbon Street Cafe for dinner "and be sure and ask for a table on the canal", they said. We did, and got the last table in the shade and on the canal to be had, listened to great Cajun music, great waiters, great Cajun food, and the manager brought a complimentary bread pudding with rum sauce and 4 spoons. And to top it off -- Michael Buble melted our hearts with his soulful crooning.

I really think that we attract what we put out there. And because we live with such zest for life, optimism and great expectation -- favors and blessings just come to us. Personally, if I were living in the past.....I would NEVER be enjoying life to this extent. Let's live for the beauty and joys that still await us everyday on this side of heaven. Might as well croon along with Michael and start singing and living "It's a new dawn. It's a new day. It's a new life for me. And I'm feeling GOOD!"