Tag: Optimism

Expectations

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Celebrations, Discussion60 Comments
After a rainy, yet cozy Christmas Day, the day after was clear and gorgeous – Nicasio Lake.

Oh, What do you see
As clear as can be?
Hope on the horizon –
A glimmer of possibility!

When you hear the word “expectation” what thoughts come to mind? I immediately recall the many times my expectations of others were unreasonably too high, thus, leaving me extremely disappointed. A lesson learned…

On the other hand, expecting something to occur or to change can also be a form of positive thinking. Here’s how the wheels in my brain have been working lately: after such a tumultuous 2020 that so many are eager to view only from the rearview mirror, I expect the new year that is literally just around the corner, to outshine this current year without question or doubt. A vaccine is already accessible to some and will be available to the rest of us, hopefully, in the first quarter of the new year.

Am I too optimistic? Maybe so…we may have a few more months to mask up and social distance before normalcy arrives again. But I want to believe that we will be able to walk down the street someday soon and see others smile and not just through their eyes. We won’t be so paranoid about dodging droplets and touching surfaces.

So, I choose to be optimistic as we clink our glasses at midnight on December 31st and to expect good things to come after all the stress, loss, and pain. After all, what have we got to lose? When positive thoughts abound, our hearts and minds remain calm, and calm is certainly a place where we should hunker down.

What about you? Will you join me? 💗🥂✨🌟💗


Lauren Scott (c) 2020 💖
New Year Photo: Google

The Right Attitude

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Discussion47 Comments

No-fear-Image

One of my new dear friends, Debby, from https://dgkayewriter.com/, wrote this to me regarding my last health update and it stuck…

“We get what we focus on, so don’t make it fear!”
~DG Kaye

This message isn’t new, but it’s so easy to allow fear to slip into our thoughts. It affects not only our reactions to stressful times, but it also affects us physically, causing anxiety and even some unwanted aches and pains. So, this was a timely reminder for me, even though I’m not truly living in fear. However, I am inviting Optimism for a long stay, and if you’re dealing with stress in any form, will you join me in this attitude adjustment? I hope you will, and Thanks, Debby! 💕

hope

And lastly, I’d like to wish you all a Fabulous Friday, and a Wonderful Weekend ahead. With love, Lauren ❤❤❤

Photos: Google

Moving Forward

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Discussion, Poetry47 Comments

Dear Friends,

This is a follow-up to my last post…thank you for your love, prayers, positive thoughts, and support. I’m feeling much better, but healing on the inside is still needed. So, I’m in the process of scheduling a procedure that will provide answers.

In the meantime, it’s great to have my energy back; it’s no fun staying in bed not being able to contribute to the daily routine. My outlook is optimistic, but I’m also realistic. I don’t do well living in gray area, so we shall see…

On a lighter note, I love the cooler weather, and the season of Fall is one of my favorites…the colors, the smells, the foods, and the change of wardrobe. 🙂 And for the new season upon us, I’m including a fun haiku, and of course, Copper. My daughter took this photo a few years back, and it remains a favorite.

Copper in Autumn by Steph 2016

pumpkins on the porch
sandles in hybernation
hello socks and boots!

Wishing you all a Wonderful Wednesday. ❤❤❤

 

Journal Entry 9/10/18

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Discussion, Poetry59 Comments

September 10, Monday

(hospital stay 9/7-9/9 Fri-Sun)

It’s evening when I usually pick up a good book, but my eyes are just too tired and my mind is too preoccupied to concentrate on anything. My body is also fatigued as though every ounce of energy has been zapped. Then when my head meets the pillow, my mind begins to wander again. Some thoughts lead into great memories of present or past. This is when I breathe deeply and thank God. And some start to tumble into a darker place where I have no desire to be. Those thoughts provoke wild emotions, and the last thing I need is puffy eyes in my morning reflection.

So, it takes mustering up a lot of strength to bat those dark thoughts away as if they’re pesky, blood-sucking mosquitoes. This is when I also breathe deeply – slowly inhaling, slowly exhaling, hoping to relax and fall into a deep slumber where thinking is finished for the night. And I pray to God that I’ll be okay. One thing I’ve been reminded of is just how fragile life can be, and I didn’t need reminding.

With this being said, and even through an occasional two-minute-melt-down, I’ll keep the faith as the waiting and testing continues. I won’t let optimism out of my sight. Taking one day at a time still rings true. And I am beyond grateful for the love and support of my awesome family and friends.

(I hope to catch up on blog-reading real soon. Stay safe and well. Lauren ❤)

 

 

What I learned in ER

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Discussion37 Comments

1. That life’s course can change in a heartbeat.
2. That we need to be advocates for our loved ones when it comes to medical attention.
3. That I can find calmness and strength when it’s needed.
4. That we need to have faith in medical personnel.
5. That nothing is black and white.
6. That my faith in God has waned.
7. That asking why doesn’t bring answers.
8. That all I know is that I don’t know anything.
9. That “one day at a time” is no joke.
10. That sitting in the emergency room while the power went out was beyond spooky (even though hospitals have generators). And it happened twice.
11. That I commend medical staff wholeheartedly.
12. That even though we were there from  11:30 pm to 4 am, we survived.
13. That being a parent involves much more than changing diapers.
14. That even as children grow older parenting doesn’t end.
15. That worrying does no good but manages to surface anyway.
16. That the future still remains unknown.
17. That the last time I screamed at God wasn’t the last time.
18. That the feeling of helplessness is indescribable. 
19. That since this event, time hasn’t stopped. Life goes on. We move forward.

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” 
~ Albert Camus

“Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart.” 
~ Jose N. Harris

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
~ Maya Angelou

***Thanks to all who read this. Its purpose isn’t for sympathy, rather for therapeutic reasons. We all have stories of sorrow. But on the opposite end of sorrow, there is joy for many reasons, along with strength, optimism, and perseverance – the reason I ended with these great quotes. Sometimes, we just have to pour our hearts out, though, so thanks again for stopping by. And may you also find strength, optimism, and perseverance in any struggles you’re experiencing. ❤

 

 

 

A New Year Already?

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Holidays, Poetry48 Comments

new year

Does time fly by at faster speeds each year? It sure seems like it. Are your thoughts similar? Well, now that we know a new year is just around the corner, have you made a list of resolutions?

A few days ago, I reminisced about this year and all its glories and sorrows. Resolutions, for me, are a thing of the past. However, I have completed some goals that were set in the beginning of this year (patting myself on the back). I like to create new goals rather than resolutions. So, this began the wheels turning and the goal list for 2018 has commenced!

Here is some wisdom from the author, Kirsten Sevig:

“I decided to measure success in happiness, progress, wisdom, accumulating rejection and failure, resilience and determination, pride in my work, confidence, and comparing only to myself instead of to others.” 

What great wisdom this is because how many measure success in dollar signs only? How many compare their accomplishments to others’ successes and easily beat themselves up for not achieving as much? I hope this wisdom enlightens your visions of the New Year! And even though we’ve read similar encouragement before, this affords us another chance to make our lives what we want them to be. 

Below is an old poem I wrote for New Year’s that I hope you enjoy again or for the first time.

There were…
High points to this year
Low points to bear
Tears to dry
from reasons to cry
Lessons to learn by
Adventures to try
Demons to fight
Wrongs to right
Resolutions completed
Some deleted
But looking back
we see impact
Another year of living
The gift of existing
Accelerate in high gear
No invite for fear
Pour the bubbles
Forget your troubles
Clink and Chime
Celebrate Big Time!

Lauren Scott ©

new year 2018

 

WISHING YOU ALL A SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION,
AND A 2018 THAT IS BETTER THAN THIS YEAR – MORE PROSPEROUS, BETTER HEALTH, AND MUCH HAPPIER, AND MORE LOVE-FILLED, TOO! 

~LAUREN 🎉🎊🎇🎆✨❤

If You Believe

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Poetry26 Comments

dolphin in the waves 

Have you wished to fly
in the big blue sky,
soaring with angels near
and feathered friends so dear?

Think how incredible to swim
in the ocean on a whim,
with a chummy dolphin
and the biggest grin

Imagine strolling in a meadow
with a butterfly show
or tiptoeing amongst the stars
to the music of guitars

Lend an ear to what I propose
Close your eyes, twinkle your nose
Cross your arms, blink three times
Twirl around, you’ll hear the chimes

SCMPOST YP

Lauren Scott © 2017
Photos: Google
(I thought a smile would be welcomed
to end the week. This is revised from
several years ago, and I’m wishing you a
fabulous Friday and weekend!)

❤❤❤

The Here and Now

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Discussion40 Comments

living in the here and now

I won’t be sharing a poem in this post, something a little different for me. Instead, I felt like sharing some thoughts. I hope you enjoy and feel free to chime in, too! ♥

It’s so easy to let our minds wander into the future, worrying about what could happen. It’s not difficult, at all, to let anticipation of something negative impact our daily thinking. Anything is easy, as long as it’s the antonym of optimism. Would you rather think the worst to prevent disappointment, instead of thinking positively and probably having a good day?

I confess. I’ve had these moments. Then there comes a time when we have a choice to make. We can wear a frown, stay miserable, ruining not only our day, but days for those around us. Or we can turn the frown upside down, hope for the best and have a little faith that all will work out.

Yes, very cliche. I’ve experienced, though, truth in these words. If I carry a positive attitude throughout my daily routine, I find that things do work out in the end. Have I been disappointed? Of course I have. In fact, our family is still in the midst of catching a curve ball thrown to us last fall. I’d love to throw it back! Instead, we’re trying to dodge it to the best of our ability.

Last year, after researching what we’re dealing with, on the internet one night, I cried so hard I created a twitch in my right cheek. It lasted for about a week. Boy, did I really work those face muscles! Crying is not a weakness, but a cleansing of the soul. However, too much of it can cause havoc! Needless to say, worrying about something that hasn’t happened, that could happen, probably will, but we’re really not sure, is just not worth any more hairs to highlight!

So I’m learning to live in the HERE AND NOW even more than I did before. We have today. We have today only. We have no idea what tomorrow will bring or ten years from now, but we can be happy this very moment and carry a lighter load. We can make the best of the gift of life for us, individually, for our loved ones and for our friends. 

Someone very special once said, “It’s all about the Here and Now. I’m living my life for today.”

So I encourage you to Make Each Moment Matter, Each Day Count and Together, Lets Live In the Here and Now!

With love and smiles,
Lauren

FINAL EDIT