No More Debbie Downer

 

I may very well be bipolar. Or at least it may seem so to my readers. My days are a roller coaster of ups and downs. This is an up day, mostly because I am trying my damn hardest to cheer up.

This morning, as I scrolled through FB (a morning ritual that is as ingrained into my routine as my cup or two of coffee), I stumbled across one that about bitch-slapped that AHA! moment across my face. It said:

"Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessing by counting your troubles."

I tell you what, this fabulous lady who posted this never fails to inspire. And so I sat here, ticking off the things that deserve gratitude...from the teeny little things that make me smile...all the way to those humongous blessings that just warm my heart. 

I hope you all have a fantastic day!

In My Humble Opinion: Facebook

 I "stole" this saying from a dear friend who knew how opinionated I am and gifted me one Christmas with a journal with the same title.  I have this idea to just start this entry and repeatedly post it after an update or two...because we all know how these "opinions" of mine never run out, right?

I tell ya, ranting and raving on the web has been nothing but cathartic. Although there are quite a few that make readers uncomfortable with my bitching, I can't stop! I don't feel better until  I talk about it, write about it, and click on that pretty little orange button called "Publish." So, rest assured, friends and family, there will be shiny happy posts left in me yet. Stay tuned for those. But in the meantime, here's another one of the different sort.

Let's talk about Facebook, shall we? Isn't it awesome? World-wide sharing in real time! Boy, do I love it. Chances are if you are reading this blog, you are an FB friend of mine as well.  So we all know how updated you all are in my day-to-days, correct? I share A-L-O-T! And although I misstep a time or two...er...ten, here is one of the things I try to avoid doing.

1) Diss the hubby.  Mind you, I don't post anything false, either. All those bragging posts of how wonderful the Mister are all true.  But have you seen one in which I am seriously complaining about him? Nope, don't think so. Especially if the Mister's bosses/colleagues/bosses' wives are part of my friend list? MMMMM...no.  You see, as the wife, I am blessed with knowing and appreciating my husband as a whole. I appreciate him despite the buttons he can push.

As an FB "friend," you don't.  All you can gauge his character on are my little ditties about him.  Why would I want my friends to just see the negative? Wouldn't that make him seem like a jerk? And wouldn't that make me look dumb because I'm putting up with it? And why in the world would I want my husband's chain of command thinking anything negative about my man? His career keeps the food on the table. Enough said.

Yeah, yeah, there's a gripe here and there...but they are all minor.  When there's an obvious trend in your updates that may suggest your husband may very well be a certified douche, it's time to get counseling, baby.  Facebook does not offer that service....yet.

**Stepping down from the blogging soapbox. And....bow, curtsy, blow kisses...Drop curtain**

I am not a Sponge

Eeeew, this is going to be an ugly gripe post. Another testament that I am only but a flawed human being who harbors some pretty intense emotions about issues that really (no, I mean REALLY) should have no impact on my life at all.

Let me start by saying I am not a good listener. As I understand there are others who want to vent just to vent and be heard and that's that. They need a sponge in the form of a friend to help absorb the burden on their shoulders. I, however, even in the midst of my wanting a real close (and local) friend, can't seem to assume the sponge position!

You see, I'm what you call a "fixer." There's a problem? Well, rest assured, Missus Och is here to offer solutions! So when I am placed in the position of the ventee, I find myself honing in on the problem and formulating fixes. Not such a desirable thing in a sponge, I tell you.

The funny thing is, I don't even think this is the reason why I don't have many friends.  Why am I so bold to say this? (I mean, 'cuz that should be reason in and of itself, right?) Well, I dare to assume so because I still find myself being requested to perform the role of said sponge...from the same people. And it actually gets to the point that I am fed up with it!

Me, ending a friendship because I am failing as a friend...how dysfunctional is that?!?!? I've thought long and hard about this. I am a fixer because it means I am in control. I refuse to let a problem bog me down and get the better of me. Yes, I am a complete control freak, alpha female. (Lord, help my husband.)

So, when someone comes to me and complains about something....receives a number of options to solve slash alleviate the dilemma...and then decides to do nothing about it....I just get really turned off.  Because in my mind, you are surrendering to your problem, and therefore forfeit your right to whine about it. The friend doesn't even need to heed MY advice. Just do something! Take action! Don't play the victim!

Because if you don't...all I here is: "Waaaah wahhhh waaaah wahh. "In other words: "Boo hoo, I hate this is happening, but I'm gonna sit here and LET it happen. Listen to me boo hoo again and again and again, please."

By that point, I'm done. I don't want to hear anymore. Really, people! No action should equate to no whining!

That view, apparently, hasn't been passed as law into the Universal Friend Constitution. I still have not mastered the art of being what others call a "friend," I suppose. A sponge I am not. Oh, well.

So there.

Orlando Florida Vacation 2011

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