Yep… A Spiritual Journey and Poetry Friday Combo Post
Bob prompted us to write about attitude this month. Click on his name to read his reflection. How does attitude affect us? How does it affect those around us? Does a simple change in attitude affect our day? Then dip into the comments that follow his reflection and you will find a treasury of other thoughts about attitude.
Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone is hosting our Poetry Friday round up this week. Join us!
ATTITUDE
True confessions: Some days I stay in my pajamas ALL DAY.
TRANSLATION: No workout, no shower, no outside. No dog walk. No errands. And…if I were the bed-maker in the family (which I am not – and that is a whole other gratitude prayer-in-the-making)… No made bed. I love a good pajama day.
The problem is, the workouts, the showers, the outside time, even the bedmaking…do amazing things for my attitude. I love how good an early workout makes me feel. I have the entire day in front of me. I eat better. I am more motivated, more inspired, more creative. A shower for me leads to doing my hair, putting on makeup, getting dressed. Besides the social benefit (I’m certainly more pleasant to be around), the sheer cleanse serves me as much on the inside as it does on the outside. And being outdoors, for me, is all about carbon dioxide exchange. My house needs it –so why wouldn’t I? Open all the windows and let in the fresh attitude!
This year, I’ve asked myself to wear hopeful. To clothe myself in seeing what could be ––despite what is. Attitude is a choice, no different than picking out a day’s outfit. I can throw on any ol’ thing; wear the same things day after day; bemoan the conditions that keep me in woolen layers or out of harmful sunrays. Or, I can be intentional…Do my best to be my best and see the best of every day.
attitude is
an open door
a beckoning path
billowed curtains slow-dancing
at the window
a climbing vine
bougainvillea buds
a gentle nuzzle from a moist muzzle
and soft brown eyes
half notes
warm coats
winter hearths hugging
toasted oak
a morning moon
conversation– or none
musing on what may come
a thank you prayer
when day is done
photos and poem © 2024 Patricia J. Franz
opening image courtesy of Pixaby
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
I love this so much. I can connect to the want-to-be-in-pjs-all-day attitude. Especially when the temps fall below freezing. It’s cold in my house. Why do I need to go outside? But for all the reasons you state, getting going is better for my attitude. Certainly exercise makes me feel energized. Your poem with its sneaky rhymes amuses me. Especially the nuzzle from a soft muzzle and warm coats/ winter hearths toasted oaks. I know when spring comes I will throw open the doors and celebrate. Thanks for this post.
Patricia, you have certainly captured the way attitude affects us and how it a choice. Even though the easier path seems more inviting , choosing the alternative can give us a physical and mental boost. Sometimes we don’t even realize the boost we gave ourselves until we reflect on the day. Bob
Like Margaret, I’m enjoying your “sneaky” rhymes. I also like your choice of having “an open door” be first. It helps us avoid blaming a person for their attitude, I think, because we are emphasizing heading through an open door. If it’s not open, it’s not open. xo
I’ve been guilty of more than a few pajama days this winter. And I must admit that early movement – showering, making my bed, enjoying quiet time – all add up to a better attitude for the day. Sometimes I savor moving more slowly though!
I love your poem and the images you chose, that pic of the morning moon is perfect! I love how you bookended your words with an open door & a beckoning path and closed with that thank you prayer when day is done.
I love the gentle rhythm of your poem which itself feels like an attitude worth aspiring to.
Patricia, your poem is a delight to read and reread. The curtains slow dancing at the window is my favorite image I’ve read all week. Just lovely, I’m seeing it in my mind’s eye. Here’s to wearing hopeful this year!
Aww! A gentle nuzzle from a moist muzzle. : ) I also love your billowed, slow-dancing curtains. Yes, I agree 100% about feeling better after getting up, exercising and showering, and yet…
I love the poem, Patricia. It speaks to the intense observational skills of a writer-poet. Everything is laden with meaning. There are rhythms to life itself. Attitude is everything in this regard, for life is short; why waste it complaining, raging, wishing moments away? The cloak of that word, hopeful, enables one to rise and keep going, or to stay in the pjs and rest…perhaps within “hopeful” lies the discernment of what is most needed. I am reminded of the institution of the Sabbath for rest and reliance on God, expressly, a release from striving and worry, for He alone provides true soul refreshment and eternal hope. And I have to say I adore the dog photo – at complete, restful peace, indeed!
Isn’t it nuts how indulgence is so desired and yet can dull us to want to get back on track? That push pull of attitude is so stinkin’ human. I’m glad you wrote about it. I bounce back and forth between structure and unstructured too. I’m deciding that both have value and that both make me appreciate the other. Always though, that thank you prayer at the end of the day. It can be either structured or not…but it ends a day well.
Aww “a gentle nuzzle from a moist muzzle” sweet Bonnie!
It’s always a wonder how some keep going, perhaps for others, but needed personally, too! I saw the moon this morning, just knew the day would be a good one. You’ve shown all the good parts, Patricia!
Your poem is a very fine definition of attitude!
Moving outdoors always helps, whatever time it happens, choice and attitude seem to go together, regardless of our obligations. Thanks for your uplifting poem Patricia and pic, lovely!
This is a lovely reflection on attitude and how our actions influence our day in subtle ways. While I’m all for a few pj days thrown into the mix, I also recognize that I can lean into them a bit too heavily sometimes. I love the urge “Open all the windows and let in the fresh attitude!” One of the most powerful things I ever heard was a radio interview with a terminally ill young boy who could barely breathe. Through the audible effort of his breathing, he told the interviewer that he couldn’t control being sick, but his mom had taught him that he could control his attitude about it. I’ve thought so often about that young boy and the lesson he taught. Thanks for reminding me.
Thank you, Patricia! This is just what I needed to read this morning. I am trying to shift my attitude from being a pill about this winter to being open about its beauty. Or at least something in between!
What a truly lovely poem — so life affirming and uplifting. Every word true, of course. Attitude is a choice — something we all have no matter our circumstances and challenges. Your poem is like a gentle dance of words. I feel lighter. Thank you!
Dear Patricia, I needed every word of your attitude post!!! Thank you!! I have had a bad attitude lately because of the frigid weather, but really because I am not being INTENTIONAL, Thank you so much for reminding me that, when I set intentions, good things can follow. Love your poem very much, especially the beautiful imagery (swooning over “toasted oak” and “musing on what may come” and that gorgeous last stanza!)
Patricia, your poem is the loveliest version of the bed-to-bed story–but this week in particular, as most weeks, I enjoyed your little essay even more. Your forthcomingness is an attitude in inself, a positive one. Thank you for your “half notes” stanza.
Patricia, I am so pleased to read your blog late at night when the light is low and the heater on. I agree with you that the pajama day is not what gives me energy and the willingness to be hopeful. Thank you for your poem on attitude. It is a beautiful gem. The last stanza gives me a new look at how I can break out from loneliness and the lack of my husband’s companionship. 2 of my grandgrils spent the weekend and that added a good deal of positivity. Thanks for giving all of us youe wisdom with your words of strength…”Do my best to be my best and see the best of every day.”
Patricia, your words inspire. Thank you! Also, is that your little drawing, the ballerina in the rain? It is awesome.