Fridays are suppose to be blissful, am I right? But this past Friday (yesterday), I let things get to me. It was my own darn fault! I wallowed in my frustration and in fact I think I was more frustrated that I was frustrated. Ever done that? These frustrations were bred from petty things. Things that brought be down and needed to be let go. Besides, I was still trying to FOCUS on the positive, right?
I’m a firm believer that everyone has at least one blessing that makes them smile each day, but being willing to see those blessing is up to us. Well, as I laid in bed last night about to drift off to sleep, I realized that I hadn’t smiled all day. Wow, now that’s being Grinch (or maybe just hormonal, haha). Anyway, I nudged the hubs and told him some of my “petty” frustrations. Phew, that felt good to get if off my chest. As soon as I said these things, he immediately had an answer for me.
Party Time…..
Have you smiled today? 
Cheers,
LC
p.s.
A BIG BIG SHOUT OUT to HEATHER!! She’s running her first HALF MARATHON tomorrow!
Finally getting to catch up on your blog – I've been an MIA blogger lately 🙂 Anywho I totally get what you mean about small frustrations just building up and making you feel WAY frustrated. I had a week like that last week… and the week before ha. But I agree with you – we have to look at what is positive in our lives and always remember that things can be worse. I have to remind myself that I should be thankful for family, friends, and my health and not let trivial frustrations bring me down. Cheers to a wonderful week 🙂
You must have some free time at work? hehe. I hope you get some down time with Mr. G this weekend. Enjoy those Utah mountains! Lindsay ________________________________
HI! i am playing catch up with you. man does it feel good! those are a couple of cute lil' nuggets. oh, i mean the kids, but you and the hubs are cute too 🙂
HI! i am playing catch up with you. man does it feel good! those are a couple of cute lil' nuggets. oh, i mean the kids, but you and the hubs are cute too 🙂
HI! i am playing catch up with you. man does it feel good! those are a couple of cute lil' nuggets. oh, i mean the kids, but you and the hubs are cute too 🙂
Thanks for sharing this smiling & lovely post! I have chronic pain in my both arms & legs & I still smile every day,…!!!!Great & lovely pictures of you & your niece!Kisses from Brussels to,you!!!!
i am doing great today but the trick is to do it during the work week……..beach cruiser bikes
yes, totally. A smile totally changed my mood too! 🙂 Lindsay ________________________________
I hate when I'm in a foul mood for no good reason! Gotta remember to smile 😀
oh I wish I had spring break! I will live vicariously through you. have fun! Lindsay ________________________________
Your pics totally made me smile 🙂 I get Spring Break starting Friday and that is definitely making me smile too.
It was a small tiff in the road and now I am all smiles. Thank you Jessie for your kind words!:) Lindsay ________________________________
oh so true. Its like practice makes perfect! The more you smile, the better you feel. Thanks susan! Lindsay ________________________________
I'm so sorry Kim. how about this….My husband is almost done with those cola blasts. HE LOVES THEM! so THANK YOU!!! hehe, you've made him a very happy man! Lindsay ________________________________
Your niece is a-freaking-dorable!!! What a sweetie! I'm a big smiler. You know psychologically-speaking, people say that just looking at someone's smile or smiling yourself makes you happier – just like that! So smile often and be happy! 🙂
had a really tough day yesterday, so i really need something to make me smile!
LOL! It looks like a dryer ball but its a toy. I thought it was a dog toy at first. I think my niece was quite confused as well. 🙂 Lindsay ________________________________
I like that quote! Totally will be using that cheesy line!;) Lindsay ________________________________
especially on a monday! Here's to a day full of smiles!;) Lindsay ________________________________
Glad you found your smile and sorry that it was rough for a little bit on Friday for you.
That baby has the best eyes! OMG!
Definitely great reasons to smile 🙂
I love the smiles!! I think you can brighten up anyone's day with a smile. Those are such cute pictures. Good luck to Heather!
Love those smiles! My choir teacher always used to tell us to "do what makes our heart dance," which I thought was incredibly cheesy at the time, but now I love it and say it all the time
Is that baby eating a *dryer* ball?? Seriously cute, though—especially the mega-smiler. Very fun!
oh my gosh, that is too cute! I would have smiled so big too. and I love that song too! hehe. Lindsay ________________________________
It's hard not to smile with little ones around. Today my little guy (who can't make the 'l' sound yet and still makes a 'y' sound in it's place) asked to sing "ho-yee, ho-yee, ho-yee" (holy, holy, holy) in the car. I think even God smiled at that. 🙂
oh thank you! And thank you for the book recommendations. I will definitely be checking those out! Here's my smile—-> Lindsay ________________________________
Gotta admit is really REALLY hard to imagine you going a day without a smile. I'm sad just thinking about it. I totally get the frustrtion over being frustrated, being mad because we are "feeling" so yuck when we KNOW life is beautiful and all that. I love that you have hubbie. I have to get personal and do a book rec, I REALLY think you might find it up your alley and also use it in your career and training. http://www.amazon.com/Constructive-Living-Kolowalu-Books-Reynolds/dp/0824808711and for more deets:http://constructiveliving.org/I won't be offended if you don't have the time.
oh what a great picture! Smiles from every generation. Such joy!!! My niece just turned 5 and my nephew is almost 3. My littlest niece is almost 1. CRAZY!! They are so so adorable and their smiles are contagious!Lindsay ________________________________
sable, you are so right. I'm trying to stop that negative outlook before it spirals even more, ya know? And smiling sure does help that! Lindsay ________________________________
it totally changed my mood, and my day! Lindsay ________________________________
they are SO cute! how old?our run club hosted a 5k race today…over 750 runners.at the awards we took this great photo..oldest and youngest runners…2 gents, 81 and 85 and 3 eight year olds…now if that didn't put a smile on everyones face!!!
Your smile is beautiful :)What a great reminder to remember to smile every single day. Just a simple smile can totally change a bad mood in a instant.
You are so beautiful! And those kids! Ahh my ovaries!!!! :)What a fabulous post. I, too, tend to "spiral" into a bad mood — one negative thing will happen and I'll feel a negative emotion, and realizing that I'm being negative makes me more negative. But your husband's advice is great — I hope I remember that the next time I have a smileless day!
ahhh good luck heather!and OHMYGOSH how cute are they!? Kids always make me smile =) Its super hard not to around them!Hope you had a blast doll — which i'm sure you did!xoXOxoJenn @ Peas & Crayons
oh Katelyn, you are too kind. Thank you so much. And you are so right, just looking happy can convince you to be happy! I am a firm believer in that. Hope you get to come to Austin some day so I can smile with you!!;) Lindsay ________________________________
Oh janae, you make me smile so big i cry! hehe! I always read your blog for a good smile and encouragement. So thank you for being YOU! Love you! Lindsay ________________________________
She is too darn cute!! I am so glad you have the best husband in the world, I want one that can give me advice that will actually make me HAPPIER and not just tell me to figs it out:) You are gorgeous times a million, I agree with Janae, you should model!! Slash I was like that yesterday too, I know exactly the feeling, you are just so frustrated at yourself for being frustrated because you can't get out of the funk! You are beautiful and I love your blog, don't ever get down about yourself because it is true, smiling is contageous and even if you don't feel happy, at least look happy and maybe you will convince yourself that you are!:)
LINDSAY!!!I cannot get over how beautiful you are….seriously, you should model. I am SO SORRY that you had a hard day on Friday, I wish I could have come and given you a hug and made you some gluten free treats!! James is a smarty pants….what would we do without our men. It is crazy how we get caught up doing things that don't make us happy when it is OUR choice what we do and we don't just choose to do what makes us most happy. Your smile is contagious and I LOVE YOU DEARLY!!!! Let me know when you can facebook chat:)
and thank goodness it does! Smiles are so genuine and contagious! Lindsay ________________________________
Jess,I think we have the same brain. Now we could only get our brains to constantly think that way. But at least we have each other to encourage. I just love that!:) Lindsay ________________________________
Man, your hubs is sooooo wise! Such a simple concept – to do the things that make you smile – but it is SO damn easy for that simple concept to get lost in the everyday hustle. It's sad really. Our time on earth is so short – we should spend every waking moment smiling that we had just another moment together with loved ones. Why is that so hard to remember when you're pissed off at the world over all those annoyances that add up over the course of a week?? Thanks for the reminder friend, great post!
I sooo hear you on being frustrated that you're frustrated! Hate that when that happens!!and yah…so weird how the literal act of smiling can change up the endorphins or something, cuz it does work.;-)
yes m'am! There are bigger blessing in life versus small petty things. Hope you and your sweet family are having a great weekend. Any running yet? Praying for ya! Lindsay ________________________________
Gosh, we are so blessed to have those men in our lives, right? Bonnie, its so good to hear how God is shaping you. Awesome hot tub time! hehe! Lindsay ________________________________
Thank God for those women in our lives, right? AMEN! thanks you so much Salah, I love your beautiful words! Lindsay ________________________________
This is such a great post. I definitely have my days where I just don't smile…and that's totally not how I am at all. It's hard to not let little petty things get to you after a while, but my best friend from Cal Poly used to have me force a smile for 30 seconds, and everytime by the end of the 30 seconds I was smiling naturally and it always cheered me up. I use that ALL the time now whenever I start to get down, then I'll say a thank you prayer to God for blessing me with such an amazing friend who can still cheer me up from a long distance 🙂
I'm sorry to hear you didn't have such a good day, but glad you hear it ended better! It always helps to talk it out, doesn't it. I can never go to bed or sleep when I'm mad. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
Love family get-togethers! So fun. 🙂 Thanks for your honesty…and in honesty back at'cha, my Friday was just the same! I hate feeling bummed out and down (hormones for me too!), hate the excuses of hormones (lol!), and get frustrated when I know my thinking or heart is wrong and I just can't seem to change it. So grateful for grace, God, and good men (my husband is patient to hear me talk too! He told me "Don't worry about it – you don't really have anything to be discouraged about." I thought about it, and he was right. Yesterday and evening service at church made me smile so huge, and that joy continued into time with friends playing games and hot tubbing in the snow last night. 😀 Thanks for the reminder to put it in perspective and smile.
Happy birthday to your niece!!! LOVE her shirt, too cute!!! 🙂 I love family celebrations, looks fun!
Thanks for the great reminder Lindsay! We all need to remember our blessings, despite our own bad attitudes/feelings sometimes 😉
tracy ,me too! I caught up with a friend over the phone and she definitely made me smile. Good caring conversation. Amen to that! Lindsay ________________________________
Don't you just love getting those pictures?! They really make me smile too! Such genuine joy in their faces! Lindsay ________________________________
Nellie,Not only do you make me laugh, but you make me smile, and you inspire me with such wisdom. Smarty pants! I love this. Thank you for doing into depth here. I needed that!Cheers, Lindsay ________________________________
yes sir, that would make me smile! I don't like getting caught up in the petty things, this definitely brings me back to reality. Cheers! Lindsay ________________________________
They really are just full of JOY! It melts my heart. Oh to be a kid again, so carefree! Lindsay ________________________________
Infectious indeed! I like that. Thanks Chyrsta! Lindsay CotterNutrition Manager & Fitness [email protected] www.cottercrunch.com ________________________________
I try to do this a lot! When I'm having a tough day, I just push back, look up and smile 🙂 And realize how much I have to be lucky for
How could you NOT smile around those sweet baby faces?! 🙂
Smiling is one of the most important things in life. Its infectious! Have a great weekend!
"It takes a lot of work from the face to let out a smile, but just think what good smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the body… the heart." ~Author Unknown
Awww, happy birthday to your niece!!
It's an interesting thing when you want to FEEL your emotions & not suppress them, but also find ways to feel joy to get out of a funk. I guess it's about balance. Giving yourself permission to feel whatever feelings come up, then integrating those feelings so you can be lighter, and free. Thanks for making me think!
awww so cute! This makes me miss my niece. My two older sisters always are sending Lori and I pics and movies of her, so that always makes me smile 🙂
What a fantastic post! I talked to an old friend today and that made me smile 🙂
oh I want to come cuddle!! That sounds like a perfect day full of smiles. Don't you just love your nephew's smile?!Girl, we really need to rendez vous soon! Lindsay ________________________________
oh thank Heather. I will use it to smile right back at you! Hope your little one is doing well! Lindsay ________________________________
We all have days like that… I had one on Friday too!! Just with everything going on, I was so overwhelmed. Today I got to see my best friend, my parents, my big bro, his wife and my nephew. Now I'm cuddling in my old bed with my little bro's dog. Little thing–but it's a comfort. That makes me smile!
I saw that you posted that on FB. And you what, I was so happy because I knew you were happy!:) Lindsay ________________________________
Glad you were able to smile at the end of the day! The hubs sounds like a pretty amazing guy! Enjoy the rest of your wknd!Katie 🙂
Now I understand how your hubs also is your best friend. :)I've met a very dear friends today, and I've smiled a lot.
Your niece is stinking cute!! This post made me smile. And you have a beautiful smile, use it!!! 😀
woohoo! I love all this! Makin me smile even more! Lindsay ________________________________
oh gosh, the office is such a good show! Definitely one that makes me laugh so hard I cry! Lindsay ________________________________
kids smiles are just so contagious, ya know? Hope you are having a great weekend my twitter loving friend! Lindsay ________________________________
thank goodness for our sweet husbands, right?Have a good weekend friend.:) Lindsay ________________________________
Happy Birthday to your adorable niece!Wise words from your husband – what great motivational thoughts! Hope you've been having a great day, Lindsay!
oh I love that Kate. Its so true! Someone just might need a smile that day. And yours would be endearing I'm sure! Lindsay ________________________________
Awww! Love all those beautiful smiles!!
Awww I loved this post!!!! =D Hope you have a great weekend…..and that you SMILE a lot!
I smiled reading your post!Keep smiling 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend!!-Smriti
I agree a smile can turn your whole day around, I always try to smile at random people, you never know what theyre going through and it might make a difference. Your niece is such a cutie pie !
happy birthday to her! when i'm down the office makes me laugh and smile. i smiled today when hanging out with my mom. and now watching the office 😉
I smiled today when…*I decided to really "run" the trail instead of merely moving upon it.*I actually did RUN the trail, with it, through it, and more!*I stopped to enjoy the sights along the trail- finding the balance between speed and spiritual time!*I played with a new pup on the trail- a daschund in therapy-dog training who needed help "sitting." Lots of 19-month-old puppy kisses and nuzzling! :-)*I carefully followed my grocery list to a T, and came to within $3 of my planned budget!*I worked for hours on an art project, and realized how far I'd come!*I saw that Bravo.com had updated the full episodes (no TV for me and some of those shows are my "sin-free treat!")*I tried my first chia seed recipe!*I saw a little brown bird hanging out on my patio munching on the months old seed…guess it's still yum :-)*I realized that a yearbook page had the template inserted by the rep, and that I could complete the page in 3 minutes! Woo! :-)*I thought of my parents and how much they do for me!*I realized my li'l nephew is becoming a li'l boy… not just some crazy kid!Of course…it all started with this morning… seen here… (self promo…)http://aworldofgratitude.blogspot.com/2011/03/thank-youfor-all-that-is.htmlBack to being humble! 🙂
oh that always makes my day! I love that. Hope your smile is still glowing! Lindsay ________________________________
oh I saw that on katelyns blog! I had to smile at that. I had a good conversation with a friend and she definitely made me smile. Enjoy your Saturday evening friend. Lindsay ________________________________
Keep smiling! When I was teaching this morning someone in my class made me laugh and I smiled the whole rest of class. Your niece is so cute!
Lovin' the reminder to smile :)Sometimes it seems like one frustration leads to another….and it takes a little interruption to remember to turn things around!I smiled a lot today—I had a little blogger meet up dinner with a new lil "sis" last night and met a friend for shopping today. Phew—fun!Hope you have a great rest-of-the-weekend!
Awww, your niece 🙂 That made me smile!!! I hope Heather does well running her first half 🙂
I know! Her smile is so genuine and really made my heart melt. On another note, thank YOU for sharing with me. I love our relationship and depth it has grown too! Big hug!! Lindsay ________________________________
Your girls are quite amazing! It must be inherited!;) Lindsay ________________________________
well I am so glad this helped. I think we all are on the same page at one point in time or another and its great to know that. We can get our support and encouragement from each other! Happy Saturday friend.:) Lindsay CotterNutrition Manager & Fitness [email protected] www.cottercrunch.com ________________________________
Oh sweet friend! Our phone call today changes my whole mood and helped me put things in perspective. Just being able to RELATE to someone is such a gift…and a reason to smile. 🙂 I'm excited to see you tomorrow! And your niece is so adorable – she's definitely not lacking in the smile department. To be a kid again…
Sarena,I hope all this passes soon. I know it must be hard. I'm praying that you kind find a smile in it. Keep me posted. Lindsay ________________________________
yea! That was my plan. :DHave a great race friend. I will be praying for a good one!! Lindsay ________________________________
Oh Emma, i'm so glad you this made you smile after a long day! Sleep tight. Lindsay ________________________________
oh I hear ya! I am praying that all goes well with your new doc! I just know it will! Keep me posted. I'm excited for you. Thanks for you words of encouragement, as always!:) Lindsay ________________________________
hehe! That shirt is pretty snug on my girls too. Thats why my husband LOVES it. I will totally ask for another size. No problem! Just glad you got a chance to try it. They do stretch, so thats a good thing too! Lindsay ________________________________
and just so genuine! Lindsay Cot________________________________
exactly! I need to focus on this during th week as well. Monday will be a new week for that!Cheers,Lindsay ________________________________
ha! best smile ever!
I am smiling today! My girls had really great conferences that made sooo soo proud. 🙂
Yay for Heather! She is great and I hope she has a great run too! I think you made her day too! I have smiled today, but I am also frustrated. I think we are close to making some life changing decisions so things are a little stressful (some self imposed) right now. Trying to weigh the good and bad of situations when you really don't know what the outcome will be makes things a little crazy in your head. I hope you have a great night Lindsay!
I just stumbled across your blog – and this post – and can't tell you how much I needed it! Thanks 🙂
I most definitely smiled today – especially because of you!
I most definitely smiled today – especially because of you!
I think it was hormonal 😉 We all have those days…and it's okay…as long as we don't wallow in it for days… Husbands are the best aren't they 😀 Matt tells me the exact same thing 😀
I have had a streesful tiring day of non-stop rehearsals (I'm a musician) from 9am-10pm today, but I just got back (it's 11pm in England!!) and this was the first thing I read! It's definitely made me SMILE and I'm going to go and have a long deep sleep myself!! Thanks for this post Lindsay:)
YAAAY to our friend Heather – she's a rock star and she's totally ready for this!! :)and another YAAAY for you finding your smile… that's how I started today – I spent TOO long feeling sorry for myself (health issues again!) and wallowed a bit myself. Then I realized even with the current limitations, I have a fab new doc and he totally believes we're going to find a solution, because he says I am totally invested. makes me feel so much better, and I (once again!) applied your Switch the Focus. you genius, you. Love Ya!
This post totally made me smile throughout–how could you not with those ADORABLE faces!! Love the hubs pic too–cheese!! :)I tried on the aqua shirt, the color is my FAVORITE. It fits me, but quite snugly. Not sure if I can exchange the size–if not, it will be completely fine!! Just puts "the girls" on display a little more than I am used to!! ha ha!! Thank you again. I am putting your card in my running journal!
oh your niece is so darling! yup i feel like i had the same thing happen-no smile and grouchy all week! i am doing great today but the trick is to do it during the work week……..i love what your husband said! glad you are enjoying your day today 🙂
Haha, a smile can do so much for a person it's amazing!