It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything, Grace and Love, and Momfessionals.
Happy Friday or whatever. Who even knows? No matter what day it is though, the sun is shining through my window and we woke up, so we get to do this all over again.
I recently listened to a podcast where author Shauna Niequist was interviewed. The interview was conducted well before the CoronaVirus showed up and put us in the predicament we're in now. She talked about taking responsibility for finding joy in our own lives. I don't think there could be anything truer, especially right now. I stopped the podcast and wrote down her words:
"The circumstances of our life will not always line up for happiness and joy. We are responsible for being on the lookout all the time for joy, for gratitude. Life has gotten difficult enough for me in the last couple of seasons where I am aggressively hunting for reasons to be joyful and thankful every day and I find them whenever I look for them, and I'm very disciplined about it because it reminds me of all the goodness there still is in the world despite any number of challenges, and I think that's true for most of us. There are always challenges. We are responsible for being on the hunt for beauty and goodness and hope and joy all the time. That's our job."
I think that's what 5 Friday Favorites is about for me every week. Sometimes it's a verse or a real clear word from the Lord. Sometimes it's a Charcoal Face Mask and a bathtub full of Spearmint and Eucalyptus Epsom Salts. Sometimes it's a cold Diet Coke and a bag of chips. Sometimes it's a chat with my sister who makes me laugh so hard I have to cross my legs to keep from peeing in my pants.
Aggresively hunting for joy. That's our job.
Let's get to work. Here we go.
1. Italian Twins Play Viva La Vida on Violins
As we all know, social media can be a source of light and laughter as well as a source of angry people writing in all caps and calling their fellow human beings names. I don't know about you, but I much prefer the former. I have had to learn to scroll by some things as quickly as I can and make sure that I get my news from Dr. Deborah and Dr. Tony and not from Judgy McJudgerson. After I get some facts from those two, I can move on to all the amazing creative people in the world who give us internet content that can make us smile or laugh or cry happy tears at a time when we are all up in our feelings. I did all of those things and also jumped off my couch as if I was at a real life concert when I saw these two precious and gifted Italian twins playing Coldplay's Viva La Vida on their violins. The kid's hat, the way they kick their feet every once in awhile, the playing the violin like a guitar? Oh my word. I could not love this more.
2. Shakespeare in Love Soundtrack
This might seem super random, but I have always loved the Shakespeare in Love soundtrack and I found it particulary helpful this week when I started to get stressed about the situation we find ourselves in. I loved this movie and the music is beautiful. Maybe your kids keep wanting to eat? Like three times a day? What the heck? Or maybe your dog drug his butt right down the middle of your yoga mat in front of you while you were trying to center yourself and find your breath? Well, if so, you could tie up your shoes, go out for a walk, and listen to this soundtrack. In my experience, it will lessen your chances of moving into a tent in the backyard for the next 30 days.
3. Cape Cod Reduced Fat Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
I present my very favorite Shut-in Snack this week. Just to let you know how much I have loved these, I will tell you that if Dr. Deborah and Dr. Tony find out that by some chance Cape Cod Reduced Fat Kettle Cooked Potato Chips offer immunity to COVID-19, ya girl here is totally in the clear. Also, did I just become a food blogger during the quarantine?
4. Psalm 91
I have a friend from high school who is an ICU nurse. So, I should say that I have a friend from high school is my hero. We've communicated a bit over the past week and she mentioned that Psalm 91 is giving her comfort, so I've been reading it every day. Every single day a different verse in it jumps out at me. Lately, I've been praying verse 11 and 12 for all the nurses and doctors and especially for my friend.
"For He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
I've never been one to think much about angels, but this week I have. Right about now, being lifted up by angels sounds like a great plan. Today I'll pray for my friend to feel surrounded by them and guarded by them with every step she takes. Let it be so, Lord.
5. Saying Yes
My husband asked me to marry him 26 years ago today at my parent's ranch house in Menard, Texas. He got down on one knee by the San Saba River and asked me and then we went up to celebrate with my family. We ate hot dogs and potato chips that night because we are super fancy. Even as we've found ourselves quarantined 24/7 for the past few weeks, the days I want to hang out with him still outweigh the days I want to move into a tent in the backyard, so I feel like I answered correctly. He's my favorite. I'm so grateful.
Have a happy weekend, Friends. Aggressively hunt for joy. Like it's your job.
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