The month of February has proven to be a tough month weather wise in our little town. We have had hardly any sunshine, which makes me sad! We have had some snow...but nothing that couldn't be handled, with the exception of the ice storm, but just dreary days absent of sunshine. I love the sunshine and I love beautiful weather, probably why I could never live in a place that has six months or more of cold weather.
This week the sun actually shined a couple of days, which made me feel excited for spring. One of the sunny days, I decided to spend my lunch hour in my car, as it was too cold to be outdoors. While I was eating my lunch I pushed the fabric section of my sunroof back so the sun could actually shine down on me. The warmth and brightness made me happy and I could actually feel a difference in how I felt and my attitude.
So why does the sun make us feel happy? I asked my daughter and she said because dark and dreary is a good way to describe depression and the brightness of the sun is a good way to describe happiness. A good answer indeed...but is there a scientific explanation for this? I decided to use my googling skills to see if I could find an answer...and of course I did. This very question was actually posed on yahoo and one of the responders to the question (bazsmudge) had a great answer. He said:
"Sunlight stimulates the pineal gland in the brain. This produces certain chemicals called 'tryptamines' which improve our mood! Also, Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is our main source of vitamin D, important for your bones, muscles and immune system, so get out there, but be careful!
I loved that explanation...so now it makes perfect sense...in a scientific sort of way.
I am looking forward to spring and the sunshine and happiness it brings to me. In the meantime I have planned a trip to Sarasota, Florida (in two weeks) to see my beloved Reds Team in spring training! I can't tell you how excited that makes me feel. Seeing the Reds and the opportunity to be in warm, bright, sunny weather is definitely a priceless, anticipated event!
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
What Kind of Grandma Will I Be???
Wow!! I feel like I have been on the roller coaster of life for the past couple of weeks! Everything has been fast-paced with lots of new life situations being thrown my way. It has been a great time...but I think the time has come to slow down for a few days and to perhaps let everything sink in.
The grandest news of course is the fact that I will be having my first grandchild in September of this year. I have anticipated this day for a long time. The anticipation is wonderful but it has provoked much thought within me.
Recently, at one of my church meetings a lady said to me, "So, since you are going to be a Grandma are you going to learn to knit?" I was a little taken back by such a comment and the very thought of knitting repulsed me. My response was, "No way." But I will say....this question make me search and ponder the kind of Grandma I want to be.
I was raised in a small town in southeastern Kentucky and I like to think that I have outgrown that small town; however, while I may have moved on intellectually, spirtually, professionally and personally...the values I was raised with are still embedded deep inside me. As I watch the values of the world deterioriate around me I feel concerned for my grandchild. I hope to be the kind of Grandma that can exemplify and teach the values I was raised with and those I found later in life to my grandchild, which remains nameless at this point...only known as Baby Porter.
So back to the question, "What Kind of Grandma Will I be?" I hope to start by being a loving Grandma...one who exemplifies goodness and love. As I have reared my children I have always had a rule in the back of my head, one that was actually shared by one of my dearest friends, one she lived by, and that was to never do anything to embarass your children. Of course, I have tried hard to live by that rule and hope to continue to do so for my grandchild. Example means everything!
I also want to be a Grandma that has a lot of fun involved in the visits with the grandchildren. That would involve hiking, baseball, perhaps hockey, museums, swimming, movies, sharing great books, plays...the list goes on. I am not one to sit idly by and let the world pass me by...and there are so many things I want to show and teach my grandchild....where we have moments of fun and memories together.
The list goes on and I could never put everything into this brief blog...but everyone should know the love I already feel for something so small...is incredible and undeniable.
The Lord has granted me a wonderful opportunity by allowing me to be called Grandma. How thankful I am for this opporunity...and the many moments of love to come! I look forward to developing my role as a Grandmother and for the joy and pleasure this new human being will bring to my life. I hope to be a Grandmother who returns the favor!
The grandest news of course is the fact that I will be having my first grandchild in September of this year. I have anticipated this day for a long time. The anticipation is wonderful but it has provoked much thought within me.
Recently, at one of my church meetings a lady said to me, "So, since you are going to be a Grandma are you going to learn to knit?" I was a little taken back by such a comment and the very thought of knitting repulsed me. My response was, "No way." But I will say....this question make me search and ponder the kind of Grandma I want to be.
I was raised in a small town in southeastern Kentucky and I like to think that I have outgrown that small town; however, while I may have moved on intellectually, spirtually, professionally and personally...the values I was raised with are still embedded deep inside me. As I watch the values of the world deterioriate around me I feel concerned for my grandchild. I hope to be the kind of Grandma that can exemplify and teach the values I was raised with and those I found later in life to my grandchild, which remains nameless at this point...only known as Baby Porter.
So back to the question, "What Kind of Grandma Will I be?" I hope to start by being a loving Grandma...one who exemplifies goodness and love. As I have reared my children I have always had a rule in the back of my head, one that was actually shared by one of my dearest friends, one she lived by, and that was to never do anything to embarass your children. Of course, I have tried hard to live by that rule and hope to continue to do so for my grandchild. Example means everything!
I also want to be a Grandma that has a lot of fun involved in the visits with the grandchildren. That would involve hiking, baseball, perhaps hockey, museums, swimming, movies, sharing great books, plays...the list goes on. I am not one to sit idly by and let the world pass me by...and there are so many things I want to show and teach my grandchild....where we have moments of fun and memories together.
The list goes on and I could never put everything into this brief blog...but everyone should know the love I already feel for something so small...is incredible and undeniable.
The Lord has granted me a wonderful opportunity by allowing me to be called Grandma. How thankful I am for this opporunity...and the many moments of love to come! I look forward to developing my role as a Grandmother and for the joy and pleasure this new human being will bring to my life. I hope to be a Grandmother who returns the favor!
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