Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
-Brian Tracy
It wasn’t my plan to do a series of posts aligned with attitude, but over the years I have come to realize just how essential it is. We can’t control what happens, but we can control how we react to those circumstances. Instead of becoming resentful, bitter, and fearful I have decided to respond to the things that happened earlier in my life as lessons I needed to learn. Illness, a broken spirit, numerous failures, and becoming homeless taught me many things, but most of all empathy. I have often heard people say, “You can’t fully appreciate a situation until it happens to you.”
We recently spent a lazy Saturday afternoon wandering aimlessly through the countryside. We had no destination in mind when we agreed it was such a pretty day we should go for a drive. I threw on something warm and was ready to go in less than three minutes. I positively was not thinking of shooting photos for the blog, but Mr. Mickey always grabs the camera as we leave, so you get to see pictures of our impromptu adventures and my hastily thrown together looks.
I wore a pair of faded jeans by NYDJ and a cashmere sweater by Vince from Saks Off 5th a couple of years ago. The knit vest is also likely from Saks Off 5th. I have had it for so long I don’t recall. The shoe/boots are by Marc Fisher. The necklace is one of my favorite casual fun pieces. It was a gift from French Kande where I am an affiliate. That means I will earn a small commission if you buy one from this link here.
Mr. Mickey recalled that a new Train Depot Museum recently opened as we were driving through Jonesborough, so we decided to explore it. I did not realize what an integral part of rural life a Train Depot once was. It was where the Post Office was located, people could send a telegraph and later it was where the only telephone for miles around could be found. Can you imagine the anticipation of adventure as people sat on a small wooden bench waiting for the train to arrive and then whisk them away to a faraway city?
I was captivated by the creativity of this display representing long ago Christmas Carolers in front of a home in Erwin, another small town we passed through later that day.
I hope you experience delightful little adventures and embrace an attitude of gratitude. Enjoy your weekend.
Look great even for a quick, ‘thrown-together’ casual look.
Attitude is so important. Being positive is contagious. No matter how you are dressed the single most important piece in your wardrobe is a positive attitude displayed with a smile.
A great post – Thanks Susan
Pretty as a picture. Thanks for always lifting us up. Thank you with Love and Gratitude.
We have an old train track near us in the UK and it runs steam trains routinely for tourists. Open days are fun and at Easter, we had a visit from the Flying Scotsman.
Thank you for sharing your looks and life lessons!
Your hair looks great! I have followed your blog for years and I think this is your style “sweet spot”. I know you didn’t love it, but I thought it looked great when you got the glaze treatment.
Amen…..
Like the casual look & nice impromptu adventure. Thank you!
Thank you so very much for reminding me of the importance of a ‘gratitude attitude’. Merry Christmas and God’s blessings on you.
Bonsoir et merci,merci pour tous vos commentaires. Vous êtes une bien belle personne et je vous souhaite le meilleur pour vous et Mickey.
Je vous remercie pour vos aimables paroles.
Well said. Gratitude is so very important. Susan, I love the way you combine your practical “life” tips along with your fashion tips. It is so helpful to me!
I love your adventures as much as your outfits and tips for life and fashion. It is so much fun to just “go for a ride” and find new places. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and Mickey.
Susan,
I enjoy your blogs so very much. We had a nice phone conversation one morning. I was interested in a purse on your site. I would love to hear your life story if you would share it. Thanks for informing and inspiring me.
Marlene Greene
Atlanta, Ga.
Check your emails, Marlene. I sent you a bit more information. Thank you for your interest and your kind words.
Just lovely.
Thank you Susan, just read this post and your thoughts were so perfect to me at the moment. I live in Santa Barbara, Ca surrounded by raging fires at moment. It was such a good reminder to use this sentiment as we prepare to evacuate and I support my family. I want to be a good example to them by my reactions to adverse experiences.
Be safe my friend. My thoughts are with you.
Words of wisdom as it is so easy as we get older to become cynical but important to try and keep a positive attitude.
I would agree with Marlene. Would love to hear your life story. The holidays are a fun time but for some it is also a sad time. Trying to find the gratitude. Love your blog.
That is part of the reason I wrote about attitude so close to Christmas time. There has always been a feeling of sadness that overcomes me at this time of year. Please read this article from my old blog. https://fiftynotfrumpy.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-01-12T13:49:00-05:00&max-results=1&reverse-paginate=true My life story is similar to that of many others. It includes sacrifices, financial struggles, heartbreak, deep depression that lasted for years, homelessness, and the ultimate betrayal are part of my story but I never gave up. I make a conscious decision each and every morning to be grateful and happy. The landscape of my mind has gradually changed as I have planted gardens to replace the crevasses, craters and lava pits that once existed there.
I would like to expand on the idea of being thankful by encouraging people to make it a point to enjoy what you have while you have it.
Evacuating for our first hurricane made me realize that there is no guarantee that what you have today you will still have tomorrow. While this is true of our material possessions, learning today that a co-worker of my husband’s just suffered a massive stroke reinforced the idea that this applies to our health as well.
I hope all of your readers have a wonderful Christmas, and that they will truly take the time to enjoy and appreciate the blessings they have today.
You continue to inspire and amaze me Susan. Thank you so much!
I’ve noticed that you mention that some of your clothes and shoes are a few years old. How do you keep your clothes from looking faded?
I wash everything in cold water and often hang items on a rolling rack to dry.