It’s raining again here in Southwest Ohio.  Gray days and January go together here like peanut butter and jelly.  That plus the Christmas credit card bill can be a little depressing, or maybe a LOT depressing, this time of year!

As I sloshed through the yard today, I tried to look on the bright side … at least it’s not ice … at least Spring is on the way … at least I’m wearing rain boots.

That last one made me smile because one of the best things about this past holiday is that I passed on one of my favorite poems about rain boots.  My daughter, my mother, my nieces, and my sister in law all received a copy of Sarah Kay’s poem “B” (aka “If I Had a Daughter”) along with their very own pair of rain boots.

If you have a daughter (or even a son), you will appreciate the message of Kay’s poem: life can sometimes be hard, but if you look, you can always find the beauty.

In one part of the poem she says,

I’ll always keep an extra supply of

chocolate and rain boots nearby,

because there is no heartbreak that chocolate can’t fix.

Okay, there’s a few heartbreaks that chocolate can’t fix.

But that’s what the rain boots are for.

Because rain will wash away everything if you let it.

During these January days, it’s important that we have our “rain boots” on to protect us from the blahs.  Spring is out there, sunny days are out there, better moods are out there, we just have to be patient.  I always give myself permission to be a little grumpy this time of year … be patient with yourself too.

I hope you get the chance to watch the first part of this video I’ve included … it is Sarah Kay performing her poem. The poem takes about 3 minutes to watch, the rest is worth it too if you have the time.

Extra-Ordinary Ideas:

Read It:  You can get Kay’s poem in book form from Amazon.com

B by Sarah Kay

Do It:  Put on your rain boots and face the rest of winter.

Think It: “Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”

Watch It:

Have you ever had a case of the bathing suit blues?   I’ve spoken many, many words in my lifetime, but I can honestly say I’ve never, EVER said the words, “I can’t wait to go bathing suit shopping.”  I haven’t heard any of my girlfriends proclaiming them either.

Each May, I start to get that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach, where I ponder just where, when, and how I will get a suit for the summer season.  It’s amazing how such a small item of clothing can produce such a large amount of fear.  And while catalog shopping has allayed my phobia of dressing room fluorescent lights, I still wish that we women had a better outlook when it comes to forgiving our figure flaws.

If we really think about some of the most courageous, smart, engaging, endearing women we know, rarely are they picture perfect.  But we don’t remember that when we’re squeezing into that belly slimming tankini.  Instead, we beat ourselves up, diet for a day, or focus on all the bad stuff about ourselves instead of the good.

This year I’m going to try to cut myself a break, get over the head junk that comes with putting on a suit, and enjoy the fun in the sun.  Easier said than done, but don’t you think it’s worth a try?

Extra-Ordinary Ideas

Watch It:  Anita Renfro is a comedienne who celebrates REAL women.  This video had me belly laughing.

Do It:  Take charge, and go find a suit you love. Consider splurging – it’s worth the investment.

Think It: “People shop for a bathing suit with more care than they do a husband or wife. The rules are the same. Look for something you’ll feel comfortable wearing. Allow for room to grow.”   Erma Bombeck

Be sure to check the post below for this month’s winner and eXtra tip.