Smile At Her Son!

One afternoon I was at the local pizza hut with my children and my youngest boy says to me: "Mommie, that lady over there is frowning at me." As I looked to where he was gesturing I saw an older lady sitting across the dining area, in alignment with my son's view. She did have a frown on her face. She looked to be scowling, almost disapprovingly at us, at my son. He was about 3 or 4 years old at the time. He has my father's smile. Big and cheesy and contagious. Just like daddy's was.

I though for a moment and said "Bear, maybe she's not smiling because she's sad or something happened. Maybe she needs someone to smile at her." My son says "Why mommy?" I said "because sometimes people can't smile 'cause their smile is broken and if you give them a smile from you it fixes it. Why don't you try smiling at her and see what happens." So my little guy looks up, gives the biggest, happiest, warmest smile you ever saw; from ear to ear. Then he gives the woman a little finger tips wave as well. And the next thing I knew he bursts out to me: "It worked mommy! It worked! She smiled at me!" He was so delighted that she smiled I almost wept over the sentiment of the whole thing. My son discovered the power of a smile that day and a woman went on with her day obviously a little bit brighter.

I remember my Grandpa Hunter singing a little "ditty" over the years about smiling, especially if I wasn't! "IF IT'S ANY TROUBLE, IT'LL GO AWAY ON THE DOUBLE, IF YOU S-M-I-L-E. SO CHASE AWAY YOUR TROUBLES AND BE HAPPY IN A DOUBLE WHEN YOU S-M-I-L-E" That's it, that's the whole ditty; at least that's all of it I can recall. Either way, it worked. You couldn't help yourself. You smiled, even if it was because the thing seemed so ridiculous. Or maybe it was that silly look he got on his face and the way he looked over the top of his glasses at you while he sang it. But you smiled nonetheless.

So remember these things the next time you are not smiling and reach out to someone who helps you smile or laugh. You truly cannot laugh or genuinely smile without being effected. And when you see others without smiles, or a pleasant expression; SMILE AT THEM. You will make their whole world better even if you never know how or why.

My son smiles that big ole grin to this very day. And it's still just as infectious and adorable as when he was little. What is your smile story? If you would like to share it you are welcome to do so in the comments area. I would love to hear about it. Or, if you rather, you can send it by private message to me on Facebook. But no matter what, please, S-M-I-L-E.



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Resisting the Pull

My sister, Miss Trisha Hunter, is quite the social media whiz and has many endeavors online. Two of which I have become involved in. One, the Fashionista Fun by SensaFashion, led to yet another blog, my own, which you are now reading here. This in turn has led to my involvement with yet another of Miss Trisha's endeavors, the My Life As A Femal Robot website. 

As I come home from work I find myself logging onto FB, reading all the latest posts, putting my 2 cents in, catching up on the game I play, then being lured into posting a blog that I am no longer expected to do but cannot give up. So I spend near into 3 hours dallying online and off doing bits and pieces around home as well. Then I realize as I log onto this site as well, I find myself having done EXACTLY what this site is all about NOT doing....Being A Female Robot.

So now I look into myself and reflect on what it is I am really doing. Am I being an electronics/social media robot? Or am I just filling a void of otherwise unspent time staring into the media world of television or movies instead? In which case, isn't that just the same as "picking your poison"?
What are your thoughts on this matter? Where do you find yourself in this regard? How are you resisting the pull? Or are you? I am quite interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas.

Follow the links above and check out the sites, see for yourself.

Remember, in all things. we are

A Work In Progress

Popularity Is Overrated

Being popular is overrated by those who are not popular. I grew up insecure & timid, with little to no self-esteem. I would look upon the so-called popular kids in my school and ask myself "What makes them any better than me?" They were not more attractive. Their personalities were not more endearing. They didn't really dress any better than I did. They certainly weren't more kind or enjoyable than I was. So I never quite understood what made a person popular.

Many years later I reentered the world of education. I was given a glimpse of insight about the "popular" girls or guys. And upon closer inspection I noticed that they were indeed my equals not my superiors. They too had their own set of issues and woes. They had grief, sorrow, loss, insecurity, uncertainty, worries, problems, hope and dreams; just as I did.

Did this have an impact on my outlook in regard to myself? YES IT MOST CERTAINLY DID! I realized that they didn't really think they were better than me, they didn't look down on me, or truly dislike me. They just had their own life to concern themselves with. It wasn't, as I like to say, "all about me" at all. In fact their "air of superiority" had nothing to do with me. It was just their way of surviving. Their way of keeping their head above water. They knew how to "fake it 'till you make it".

I took this insight and used it on myself. I stopped second-guessing what others thought, said or felt about me. I focused on "it ain't nothin' but a thing". That was my inward quote; My moral booster. I stopped thinking of myself as inferior to others. I accepted what I had always told myself but couldn't quite believe, was afraid to accept. That there is nothing wrong with me and/or who I am. It's all an interpretation that I had been conditioned  to see, think, believe and feel about myself.

That was my undoing throughout my childhood and early adulthood. I was my own worst enemy. Mom told me that. My sisters pointed it out to me. Numerous others tried to convince me. But I just couldn't, wouldn't, was afraid to dare think it. Overcoming this one not-so-minute issue released a whole new me. I found myself smiling at people with confidence instead of in defeat. I started chatting briefly to folks instead of keeping quiet in fear of conjecture. I started developing the ability to "fake it 'till I made it". And you know what happened? I MADE IT! I made it real. I made me. AND IT WORKED. I'm healthier, happier and friendlier than ever before.

I like who I am. I like what I have become. I like me. And it feels good. And it's about time too. Love to all of you who take the time to read this and reflect on it. I hope it helps you to find better things about/for yourself and those in your life.

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Verbal Bash/Emotional Crash (The saga continues)

There are actually so many things vying for my attention, begging to be written about that it's been difficult to find a starting point. Alas, as with all things, I have to start somewhere. Here we go then...Nameless and Clueless are no strangers to personal issues and their own issues are impeding on their ability to function properly.

Let me back that up just a little bit. See, these two unwitting participants of my cranial workings had another Verbal Bash. However, this time the Emotional Crash was much more severe than before. The Crash wrecked beyond the typical anger, hostility, and aggravation; it wrecked to the point of embitterment, hopelessness, devastation and defeat.

There were other exchanges that occurred since our last visit with the two parties. Once again Nameless attacked Clueless. Once again Clueless was, well...clueless, shocked, angry.

Clueless lashed back at Nameless with vehement confusion and anger, inquiring into the source of the attack. Nameless confirmed the attack and lashed on bitterly one more time. Fed up, finished, and wounded in spirit, Clueless turned away and moved on with the day. Later that same day, Nameless would accost Clueless one more time and the result was quite intense. Clueless went home full of agony and defeat. Feeling completely overwhelmed and unable to cope.

Clueless assured Nameless that the never-ending tantrums were quite intolerable and unacceptable and that they needed to resort to "professional only" conversations. Clueless sat stewing & seething with anger over these unprovoked  assaults.

Determined to "show Nameless", Clueless held all thoughts, feeling and ideas inward. Shutting out Nameless and therefor vindicating the stand taken. This position in their interactions continued silently for a few days until Nameless apologized to Clueless for being unkind. Then Nameless went on to ask if it would be okay to ask Clueless a question. Clueless conceded and allowed Nameless to continue. 

Nameless had questions about the Bible and knew that Clueless was an avid study of the Scriptures. Feeling chastised for losing focus on their integrity and their Christian duty to "love thy neighbor", Clueless warmed up to Nameless and helped Nameless understand the things asked and show where to find the answers in the Bible as well. Nameless was quite intrigued and very grateful for the insight and thanked Clueless with heartfelt gratitude.

This has, for now, ended the saga. We bid it farewell and pray for all the best to come for our unwitting players of the Verbal Bash/Emotional Crash.

 This is a true and concise accounting. It is based on real events and people. We are quite proud of our dear friends and thank them for their assistance in this blog. Even they are: "A Work In Progress".
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Life Is Up In The Air

So sorry to those who are following or just checking in ever so often. There has been so much going on that my head has been spinning as if there were a whirlpool inside it. So much has been happening. So many issues to contend with. So many thoughts flying around. So many emotions. It has been impossible to sort it into something coherent and to decide where I would even begin.

I do so want to share these latest events but it will have to wait a bit longer. I am currently ill from all the dust stirred up by my latest move to the apartment next door, add to that the increased exposure to cleaning supplies and mix those with asthma...well...it's a bad combination. Mix it with MY SUPER SENSITIVE ASTHMA and it's virtually lethal. But more about that in a later post.

Just to give you a taste of what's to come:

1. Another "Verbal Bash/Emotional Crash"

2. Forgiveness In a Mother/Daughter Relationship

3. Moving Mania

Thanks for checking in. I promise not to put off these blog posts for too much longer. I just need time to settle in and recover my health.

Love you all!

Corrina L. Hunter

Verbal Bash/Emotional Crash

I was made privy to an incident where folks clashed with one another. Both parties were clearly agitated. The irony was that they both suffered the same ailment...frustration, fatigue, confusion and chaos. The interesting part is how they handled themselves. The frustrated party, Nameless, had been pushed by circumstances beyond their limit and was completely devoid of all tolerance. The naive party, Clueless, made a reply to something Nameless had said and Nameless unleashed on Clueless. This left Clueless not only more clueless but aggravated, angry and hostile. Fed up and put out joined the exchange adding a new level of heat to the words that passed. 


Now, we must give credit where due. Clueless was shockingly able to stifle further heated replies while Nameless lashed on. Clueless' refusal for rebuttal stifled the potential explosion. However, this sparked an inner chain-reaction in Clueless. Clueless harbored anger and resentment and inwardly schemed to "get even" on this one; So far as to planning just how this silent retaliation would subtly play. The two kept their further words inside themselves allowing the air to settle a bit. 


After a brief separation to alternate areas of involvement the two came together once again. No words were spoken. Not a remark was shared. This lasted for a significant time. Eventually, as many disagreements go, Clueless finally approached Nameless about "why?"  the issue. Nameless had obviously been tense, awaiting a rebuke, because Nameless' shoulders dropped significantly and a big breath or ?relief? was expelled. Nameless did not justify their actions nor did they make excuses for them. Instead, Nameless conceded that their was error on their part and offered a very reasonable explanation for what had caused the dispute. To that end, Clueless "got a clue" and accepted the reply with dignity and respect. Seeing no need to extract the previously expected "apology for the earlier in-justification".


The result, both parties were relieved, relaxed and emotionally crashed. Happy to have the air cleared they were able to pursue the rest of their explorations in peace and harmony. This is a true and concise accounting. It is based on real events and people. You do not, however, have the slightest idea who the players are nor their specific parts in this event. That is OK. As Clueless learned here, you don't have to "know" something to accept it and move on. 


We are quite proud of our dear friends and thank them for their assistance in this blog. Even they are: "A Work In Progress".
 

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Facing the Challenge~~Getting Coherent

I am going to take immediate action on the advice of my Social Networking sister Trisha. She says I need to/must have organization to my blog. I agree with her but was anxious to get started. Now it is time to get a theme or pattern going so that readers know what to expect, if & when to look forward to the next post and so on...


Those who know me well realize that this is not an overnight sensation for me. I have a limited attention span, think spontaneously about a myriad of different subjects and rarely slow down mentally. That being said: It's time to put my "responsible girl pants on" and get focused. I'm smiling at this as it will be rather interesting and most likely amusing from my standpoint as I will be the main one (and hopefully the only one) to know how hectic that is going to be. :D (minus friends, family and coworkers)


The next challenge will be narrowing down and categorizing my subject matter, setting a schedule for each area and selecting the appropriate information for each area. I am insightful in a number of areas but would like to select the situations that will best meet the interest and needs of those who read. I desire to have an impact on others. A source of hopefulness and encouragement with lessons, experiences and anecdotes. Words that will amuse, please, that pull at your heartstrings, that make your heart swell, provide peace of mind. There is little I prefer more than offering comfort to others and joy to their spirits. If you feel that you know me well enough to offer suggestions for content subjects please don't hesitate to share it with me.


Subject matter is looking to be along the lines of:
1. Friends & Family~Relationships
2. Health & Beauty~Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social & Inner/Outer Beauty
3. Communication~How & What Types
4. Memories~Right, Wrong & Otherwise

 

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