Simply Put...

It's a day until the official start of Spring here.

Do you want to know how I know that?

No...it's not the arrival of robins. Or the daffodils blooming.

It's not the grass getting greener or the temperature rising.

I can tell that Spring is almost here because everywhere I look...I see...

farmers.

Yep. It's true! They're everywhere!

Getting their fields ready for planting.

In fact, I had to pull over the other day so that a tractor that's got more square feet than my house could get across a bridge. The farmer waved at me as he passed. I waved back.
It took 30 seconds out of my day to do that. To pull over and let him go first.

Not a big deal.

Or is it?

So often in our busy days we get caught up in our stuff and can easily negate the 30 second rule.

What's the 30 second rule, you ask?

Something I just made up, actually. Thanks for asking! And it doesn't have anything to do with eating dropped m and m's...

My friends, take a moment (we'll call it...oh, I don't know....30 seconds!) to time out 30 seconds.

It's okay. I'll wait. I've got time.

(whistles the "Jeopardy" tune to herself)

Did you see how LONG 30 seconds really is? It's a nice bit of time.

Now think about how often you may say during the course of your day "I don't have time for that!"

The truth is: we all have been given the same amount of time in our day. And more truth is: we usually waste a lot of it on what we consider to be 'important' things. Like criticism. Or complaining. Or justifying. Or ranting.

But enough about me....let's talk about you!!

Do something nice for someone today that takes just 30 seconds. Send a nice email message...or give someone a hug. Let that farmer get around you with that big disk thing...

You'll feel better. And so will someone else!

And the best thing is: you'll never miss that 30 seconds of complaint!

A Long Way from Depressed

When I look back on it...the signs were there. I just was too optimistic, I guess.

I should've known it would cause pain.

I should've known that sacrifices would have to be made.

I should've known that I would be taken advantage of by their smooth words and innocent eyes.

I should've known.

But, as I mentioned, I was too optimistic. I thought that this time...this time it would be different!

This time I would be able to do it!

This time...this one small moment in my existence...I would be free to enjoy it as I wished. No judgement. No one to answer to...just me and my Hershey Bar.

I was going to eat the entire bar. And like it!

But, sadly, I'm here today my friends, to tell you that that was not the case. It simply was not meant to be, I guess.

You see, chocolate is a big deal at our house.

A very.big.deal.

And I gotta say that it wouldn't matter if my children had just eaten a fourteen course meal (with double desserts no less!!)...they will still sit there and demand that I share my Hershey Bar with them.

Who knew that those little squares of milk chocolate would have so much power?

Because, my friends, I don't like to share my Hershey Bars!

Not.at.all.

You know, the financial news these days is so depressing. I can't hardly listen or watch any economic news whatsoever. I get so glum and find myself sighing heavily and wanting to just run and hide under my bed for a few months. Money is tight right now, (not that we were ever swimming in it in the first place!)and disciplining ourselves about spending is a daily...sometimes hourly exercise of will.

There are so many things I feel I'm doing without. I can't buy the things I want for my kids...for myself...for my husband. I am tired of casseroles, of store brand toilet paper, of counting every penny. I was never very good with numbers anyways!!

I am tired. I am depressed. I am frustrated. I am scared. I am quietly screaming inside at times...and yet....

And yet....I am encouraged. I am hopeful. I am looking for joy in the small things.

And I'm sharing my Hershey Bars.

Here's why:

There is a book I read a few years ago called "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck. It takes place during the Depression in Central Illinois. Two children are sent from their home in Chicago to their Grandma Dowdel's home right here in our area. The actual location is never really mentioned, but Piatt County is...so it's close to home.

Grandma Dowdel is an amazing woman. She uses all the items she has at her disposal (which isn't much!) to help others out...even if they don't seem to 'deserve' help. She feeds some bums, for example...when the Sheriff just wants them to move on. She helps a neighbor who's losing their home and belongings. And one of my favorite moments of the book is when she takes the kids to Aunt Puss's house.


Here's an exerpt:
Aunt Puss was by many years the oldest person we'd ever seen up till then. Bald as an egg, but she needed a shave. And not a tooth in her head.

"Who's them chilrun with you?" she demanded of Grandma.

"Just kids I found along the crick bank," Grandma said, to our surprise. "They was fishing."

"I'm hongry, girl." Aunt Puss pulled her shawl around her, "You hightailed it out of here after breakfast, and I ain't seen hide nor hoof of you since."

"She ain't seen me for a week." Grandma muttered,"But she forgets." Then she called out to Aunt Puss: "Catfish and fried potatoes and onions, vinegar slaw, and a pickled peach apiece. And more of the same for your supper."

"I suppose it beats starving," Aunt Puss snapped. "Hop to it, girl."

I thought I might faint. No one spoke to Grandma like that. And lived.

"Grandma,is that nasty old lady your aunt?" I asked in the kitchen.

"Naw, I was hired girl to her before I got married."

"What did she pay you for that, Grandma?"

"Pay? She didn't pay me a plug nickel. But she fed me."

I thought about that.

"And now you feed her," I said, but Grandma didn't reply. "You take her food every week, don't you Grandma?"

"Generally a good big roast chicken. She can gum on that for days. It keeps her out of the poor farm, and it gives me a quiet day in the country. That's a fair swap." Then her jaw clenched in its way. "But it's just private business between her and me. And I don't tell my private business."

My friends, when it is dark, share some light. When you think you that you have little to spare...think of the ones with nothing at all. Because there is something really satisfying about sharing. Oh, it can hurt a little, I guess...if you choose to dwell on what you're missing. If you choose to look at your selfishness.

But if you take a look at what you're giving...well, it can be almost better than having an entire Hershey Bar to yourself. And if you keep it your 'private business'...it will make you feel even better!

Share with someone today. Share your time...or your money...or your seat...or your Hershey Bar.

Here, I'll start. Have a piece of mine...