Adopting the Right Attitude

Welcome to the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge 2013. I'm aiming for short, interesting, entertaining and occasionally insightful posts. Topics addressing transitions are the goal . . . but we'll see.

Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. 
Dr. Hans Selye

Transitions are not only physical, but mental and emotional too. Selye's comment on changing our attitude is key to living an optimistic life over a pessimistic life, a healthy life over an unhealthy one, a joyful life over a discontented one.

It's all about choices.

One person is raised in an alcoholic home and becomes an alcoholic. Another person, also raised in an alcoholic home, chooses to drink little or not at all, chooses to not be defined and limited by a difficult childhood and strives to live a physically, mentally and emotionally healthy life.

Adopting the right attitude can help us leap over many negatives on our life's road and not get stuck  in the potholes as long as we choose to turn the negatives into positive learning tools.

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Reducing Divorce Rates

Wedding dress shopping with my daughter continues, and the bridal salon is proving to be an excellent place for people watching.

After three forays into the realm of white, ivory, lace, peals, ruffles, chiffon, satin and sequins, I believe I've discovered a way to reduce divorce rates. Men need to accompany their fiancees while they shop for the perfect gown.

How would this help divorce rates? Well after watching the woman of their dreams in action at the bridal store, I think many of these men would yank that engagement ring off their gal's finger and head for the hills leaving no forwarding address.

The spoiled, whining, demanding, diva-ish behavior is almost frightening to watch. What are most likely normally nice women turn into prima donnas of the first order while shopping for a bridal gown.

It also appears that the bad behavior is directly related to the number of other women (mother, aunts, grandmothers, bridesmaids) accompanying the bride-to-be. In the search for a perfect dress to be showcased at a fairy-tale wedding, some women lose control, forget they ever learned good manners and think they're queen of the world.

My comments sound harsh, but while accompanying my daughter, and my niece two years ago, I've observed a number of brides so I'm not making this up.  If you don't believe me, stroll around a bridal salon one Saturday afternoon and see for yourself.

So, I think the custom of surprising the groom at the altar with a vision of bridal loveliness should be abolished. The groom might be in a better position to really determine if he wants to marry his woman if he sees her in action as she seeks the perfect gown.

And perhaps, in order for the bride to make a final determination about the integrity of her groom, she should attend his bachelor party.


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The Heat Index is What?

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It is stinkin' hot out.  Again.  I've lost count of how many days in a row it's been hotter than 100 degrees.  Not to be a whiner or anything (well, maybe a little bit), but it is ridiculously hot.

Toronto, even Toronto, Ontario, Canada is having a heat wave so I know we're not alone in this steaming pool of sweat we're calling summer this year.  Determined I am to stop fussing about it and have a good attitude, so I've been working on a list of reasons why summer is great, just as a reminder to myself that summer is my favorite season.

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Top 13 Reasons Why Summer is Wonderful

1. The sun comes up early and goes down late.  All those lovely hours of brightness bring joy to a soul that becomes depressed during winter's short days.
2. Flowers bloom abundantly, blasting the world with vibrant color.
3. Ice Cream.
4. Fewer layers of clothes are necessary, so getting ready in the morning is quicker.
5. Everyone seems more relaxed and cheerful. 
6. No need to grab a jacket and maybe boots, hat, scarf, gloves, whatever, before waddling out the door into the winter world.
7. Fresh peaches and blueberries and raspberries and watermelon - you get the idea.
8. The birds unite in an amazing chorus as the sun rises and a few of the more energetic ones engage in melodious solos as the sun sets.
9. Iced tea and iced coffee.
10. The beach.  I know there are lots of mountain and woods lovers, but I am a beach woman.  The sound of crashing waves; the salty, fishy smell; the sun glittering almost blindingly on the water and the strong vibrant pull of the ocean, man, I get excited just thinking about it.
11. Bar-b-quing, so nice and healthy because all that bad fat just drips away.  Confession - mostly I love bar-b-quing because my husband or one of my sons does the cooking.
12. Corn on the cob, vine-ripened tomatoes, all those fresh, delicious veggies.
13. Vacation!  Sometimes we can afford one and sometimes we can't, but it's great to get away. 

It's a little scary how many of my reasons are related to food, but that explains the weight-gain issue.  

So here you go, I hope you feel happier about summer right now.  I know I do.
And by the way, what would you add to the list?