What do you do when times get tough?
Do you pout, cry, throw a tantrum, complain, get grumpy, blame others, or God forbid, say, “Poor me.”
Yep, me, too. I’ve done them all, except that God forbidden one, and may I never be so arrogant as to say THAT! (Although if I ever do, will you please excuse me?)
Things around here right now are tough. So I’ve looked to a soul far wiser than I am to guide me on my journey. I have only found him to speak truth, and I figure life is too short for lies, so I listened with all my heart.
Here is what he taught me:
When life gets tough–Relax!
Ahh…How Sweet Life Is!
Invite a friend to lunch:
Friends Comes in All Forms and Colors!
Be Brave:
Dare to Go For It!
Take a Drink If You Need It!
Lemonade Anyone?
Trust Yourself!
Defying Gravity!
As you can see, my squirrelly teacher has taught me many enlightening lessons. The best one, however, was in his parting words as he prepared to leave the classroom and return to his home life. He, as most teachers do, had one last teaching to share, profound but obvious. And one that I’m sure you can relate to when times get tough in your life. What is his advice?
When times get really tough: hang in there!
My Reward!
If you are having a tough day today, I hope you do one or all of the above–you’ll feel better for it. If you are not having a tough day today, I hope you share your love and good fortune with those you love and those who need it–you’ll all feel better for it!
Very cool!
Thanks, Dawn. 🙂
I love this furry teacher of yours. He’s wise indeed! Loving you, and wishing you a day of peace and comfort. xoxo
Thanks, Canda. Everyone could use a wise teacher!
Thank you for that Gayle! I had a rough day yesterday and just helped me gain perspective! Love you!
You’re welcome. Besides, I owe you a big one for the favor you have me many long years ago–remember?
Boy, your timing with this one – just perfect for me. Just what I needed.
Thank you,
These squirrels know a thing or two! 🙂
Gayle,
I so love your posts. I wish I were nearer. You are am amazing individual. A bright light. I just wanted to tell you so.
Susan Miller
Sweet music to my ears. Thank you, Susan! It would be nice to have you close.
We are hanging in there too.
Dennis has to have an endoscopy to check on some pancreatic cysts. Should have it in a few weeks. Keep your fingers crossed.
Love to you and Mike. You are always in our thoughts.
Liz
sorry, I keep posting under the wrong address.
Hi Liz, Hope all goes well with Dennis. He has had more than his fair share, hasn’t he? BTW I loved the card signed by the four stooges. Made me laugh out loud! We love you, too!
Another wonderful blog thank you for sharing I think of you and hope you are doing well.
Barbara
Hi Barbara. Thanks. I think of you every time I see you on fb with your furry friends. I’d still like to come see them sometime if you’re ever available. Hope you’re still singing and enjoying life. My best….
Oh Gayle! Thank you you made me chuckle. Like a Squirrely squirrel (not a wise one at first), last winter, I stored or stock piled some nuts. Alas, some of them had worms inside and others just not very tasty. Slowly I learned to sniff them and throw out of my nest those things that were giving me such a bad taste in my mouth. Some I digested, can’t always be so discerning, but here it is summer and we are learning to keep our eyes open and on the look out for our rewards of the day! thank you for sharing your insights so often. What beauty you bring to my life even when we are so far away from one another. Light to light along the way.
Hi Sandra, Sounds like you have the wise old owl visiting if you’re getting rid of those rotten nuts that leave a bad taste in your mouth! I have discovered that my reward of the day is the day. 🙂 Hope yours is full of light, love and laughter. Love you.
wonderful pictures…. i’ll come with some wine… see ya soon
love ya
char
I’m still salivating over the prime rib! See you soon.
I don’t know if my last post went through, so I send it again. I stated that you have been that “squirrelly teacher” that my daughter Makenzy still says is her favorite teacher! We still cherish the poetry and writing you taught her You also continue to teach this mama many a lesson. I would love to share your squirrelly lesson with my third graders, with credit given to the best “squirrelly teacher” I know. (Of course I will wait for your approval) God’s blessings to you and Mike.
Hi Janice, Thank you, there is no finer praise than being called a squirrelly teacher! 🙂 Especially by my (and your) beloved Makenzy! Yes, please feel free to use whatever helps those little souls (and big souls) find their way through this uncertain world. We’re all in this together, and we can all assist each other along the way. Otherwise, what’s the point! In the meantime, frolic!
My dear, wise Gayle,
You are my teacher! Your words buoy me up. I hope you are getting massages every day. I pray that your pain will ease and your strength increase. Keep doing the things you love and listening with your heart. I have my heart with me, as you said in February of 2013, in my little silky gray stray kitty. I miss you and think of you often and send my prayers, love and best wishes for strength to you and to Mike. Hang in there!
Hi Dearest Laurian. Mike and I are hanging in here. Some days we have a firmer grip than others, but we’re holding on to each other! Your prayer must have come true because I feel better today–thank you! I may not be getting massages every day, but once a week ‘ain’t too bad. 🙂 Hope you and Ken are enjoying your new digs and staying cool. Tough to do in California this summer, but a little heat can be a good thing once in a while. I’m glad your kitty is such a delight. I lost Johnny last year and Tabers isn’t doing so well right now. But he is 19-years-old, so I guess he can slow down if he wants to. Billy grooms him every day and takes good care of him–and me. Love to you both.
Great pictures and semtiments, Gayle. Amazing how God reveals His love for us through the teachings of a squirrel if we just are still enough to listen and observe. Thank you for finding the strength to share…it is much appreciated! Wishing you more blessings than you can count! (((Hugs)))
I don’t know, Sandi, I can count pretty high–if I can just remember which number I said last! Thanks for your hugs, prayers and encouragement. You are a delight and spread goodness where ever you go! As the Aussies would say, “Good on ya!”
Oops…sentiments…
Great lesson and I loved the photos.
Mike took the photos. He seems to handle that camera better than I do. But the model is what makes the picture–and tells the lessons.
So much wisdom here from the natural wise teachers. I need to absorb a lot
of this wisdom. Thanks Gayle. Here’s Wishing you a bright, peaceful day.
Hi Peggie. You can absorb wisdom if you like, but you are wisdom itself! Enjoy it.
You are a gem! I talked to Karen C today (she’s in Washington). She clued me in that maybe today won’t be your favorite day and memory. I give you permission to whine if you feel like it. Remember your squirrel teacher, “hang in there!”
Terry
Hi Terry, I’m not sure what Karen is talking about, as every day is my favorite day! Sometimes I whine and dine, other times I just dine. 🙂 Hope this note finds you happy and playful. State MO for you!
Did you know that your squirrel’s companion is an acorn woodpecker? After five days of genealogy in Salt Lake, we leave tomorrow on a road trip to Nebraska.
Yes, I knew that. He buries the acorn in the tree bark and the squirrel follows him and digs it out. They have quite the dance orchestrated! Have fun in Nebraska.
I hope this message finds you having a good day! 🙂 I just went for a hike in our Town Park with my dog and it was so quiet and peaceful. The birds were chirping and I could hear the branches break beneath my footsteps. I got lost in my own thoughts as Chauncey was busy in his nosey and sniffing time 🙂 It gave me some time to think of you and reflect on a bunch of blogs you have written. I have learned a lot from your wise words and they have made me think differently about life. You so often write about the things in life that are easily over looked on a day to day basis. Like this blog with the squirrel and what we can learn from him if we take the time to watch. Thank you so much!!!!! Love to you and Michael, always!!!
Your writing is lovely. Makes me feel like I’m there with you. Happy to hear I have in some small way contributed to you enjoying life a little more fully. We could all use a good, healthy dose of loving life from time to time!
I’m sharing my love with you, dear friend. Wish I were there in person to deliver it, but the ether will have to do for now…..Love you! Francie
Thanks, Francie. The ether never fails to deliver!