Dreaming in Arkansas
Welcome to Dreaming in Arkansas. As native Arkansan and former newspaper owner/publisher/editor, it is a joy to be given my own little spot to write about our Arkansas. I am aware that we have some ways to go in some areas, but that is not what this little spot is about. This little spot is about finding happiness, peace, and joy in our little state, in our own little worlds.
How did I become a former newspaper person? I got really fed up with politics and realized that I was mad at the world because of what I had seen politicians do during the nearly 20 years I was at the helm of the little weekly paper. Once I realized I was so unhappy, I begged God, “If you want me to be that sweet little lady that I know you want me to be, you are going to have to find me a job.” He did and I started my journey back to happiness.
In the two and half years I’ve been out of the newspaper business, I’ve finally gotten rid of the chip on my shoulder and have started caring about people again. It feels great! Now I am not going to pretend to be something I am not, and I am probably always going to call it like I see it, but with God’s grace, I have found a better way to look at things. (It helps not being broke all of the time too.) Business owners are sometimes at the mercy of their slow, or no-pay, customers.
But God is bigger than all of that and once I was willing to let go, he got me out of that misery. I’ve relearned to look at what God has given me and through His grace, I’ve relearned to be thankful. I’ve relearned how to laugh, relearned to not judge others and learned to just let go and let God.
And I am loving every minute of it!
Speaking of loving, Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday share the same date on the calendar this year. Won’t it be great seeing all of the sweethearts that celebrate both days smiling and giggling in restaurants all over South Arkansas, sporting those wonderful little smudge marks on their foreheads? It will just be grand!
In case you are not sure what Lent is, it
is the first day of the
penitent season before Easter and is celebrated in churches with liturgical calendars, or set of rituals and observances, including
Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans and some Protestants. It is a time of repentance before
Easter. A time to reassess our life with God. You might say it offers a fresh start.
Fresh starts are gifts. This new column is a
gift for me and I plan to use it to spread happiness and joy as gifts to others seeking such.
Oh, and to brag on Arkansas!