A “Meh” day and Oprah …

Today is a … blah …meh …  ”shrugging-my-shoulders” kind of day and I’m not overflowing with joy and the happy seems a bit far away!

The kids and I did try to change that by listening to “Lidt i Fem” by Rasmus Seebach which is a newfound treat for me (- crazy to some but true to me).

Given that my little people (the three real ones – not talking elves or angels or witches here!) knows no Danish they are kind of enjoying the song – but they call it “The Sea-Lion Song” (“sig uh uh uh” becomes sea-lion when you have no Danish I guess ). We are often having a huge dance party in the morning while I make lunches and the kids have the run of YouTube! It is – without a doubt - the best way to start the day, even when the day is … blah …

So I thought – what do I do about this blah feeling? How do I find some Happy? Well, Oprah always says “write three things you’re happy about” … or something like that … so I spent a little time on this while driving kids to school (and back on my own – easier to think!). What I did come up with was this – a friend on Facebook is doing this “I’m grateful for …. ” because soon it will be Thanksgiving in the US (Canada celebrated beginning of October!) – so instead of going all Oprah on you I thought I can do ONE of those and we’ll see if I’m happier by the end of it …

“Today I’m Grateful for” … Facebook …

Yep, you got that right … Facebook! I know, I know it is not “cool” to admit that I love my Facebook, but I really really do. And a big part of the reason for the love is this: I have, since I became pregnant with my twins eleven years ago, been a part of a network of amazing, strong, wonderful and caring Danish women. These women live all over the world and I’m so proud to have friends in Brazil, South Africa, Australia, UK, Spain, France, Holland, Germany, Canada and of course the US – and I could probably add 25 more countries to this list.

The countries are not what makes the list special – but the women are. All of us found each other because of our children - and the Danish culture is the denominator – we may all be very different and would not necessarily be friends had we lived close in Danmark, however because we have a need to share our lives with fellow Danes who understand us – we have a bond.

Facebook has brought this group to a whole different level. Whereas before someone would write to the group when a problem presented itself or had a story to tell, these days I’m able to follow many of these girls in their daily lives – this makes me feel closer to them, and friendships are being formed on a much deeper level.

My niece has recently moved to Edinburgh – and my friend in Edinburgh has just opened a store “Lickety Splits” – I told my niece to go check it out and my friend was able to tell her that if she ever needs anything just to let her know because of our friendship – and I have never met my Scottish friend … but she is a friend, in the sense that I know more about her than I know about many other “friends” here in Ottawa.

So Facebook – although virtual and impersonal to many – holds many smiles and laughs for me through the day. Is it sad that I call people I have never met “friends” – no, I don’t think so, I know that I could go to virtually any country in this world and I would have a door to knock on – and I would find a friend behind the door, a friend whom I have never before seen in real life – but a friend who knows so much about me and I about her.

So that is what I’m grateful for today – My Facebook Friends!

… did it work … well I tell you what it did – it made me feel very lucky to have all these wonderful women in my life, and for the last 20 minutes I spent my time appreciating this … yep it worked!

Have a lovely day!