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Thursday, 12 April 2012

Pollyanna and the Glad Game

When I was a little girl, I saw the 1960 film version of Pollyanna, made from the book by Eleanor H. Porter, which was published in 1913. It stuck with me as my favourite film of all time. It is tradition in our house to watch it twice a year, once at Christmas, and once in the summer, always on a lazy Sunday afternoon. We all love the story of an orphaned Pollyanna, who has to go and live with her aunt Polly, a wealthy woman, a pillar of her community, and a serious lady who finds it hard to relate to Pollyanna's cheerful disposition. The headlining theme in the story, is Pollyanna's optimism and childlike grasp of life, centering around 'the glad game', a game she learned from her father, where one has to find something to be glad about in every situation. It originated when one Christmas, Pollyanna was hoping to get a doll from a missionary barrel, only to find a pair of crutches. Her father pointed out that she could be glad that she didn't need to use the crutches! And so the glad game was born...



Now, a dear friend of mine started writing a blog, 108 days ago to be exact! It is called 365 Days of Gratitude. When I originally saw her blog, it reminded me of the story of Pollyanna. Every day she reflects on her day, and shares with us her experiences, her journey, and in every day she finds something to be grateful for. I think that this is such a wonderful attitude to have towards life, because it gives us perspective and grounding in what really matters in life. Every morning I check in with Tai, because it is so encouraging and uplifting, and it prompts me to reflect on my own little corner of the universe, and to give thanks for the beauty within it.

I would encourage you to pop over and say a hello. You will be blessed, encouraged, challenged and uplifted!

I leave you with one last thought: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Blessings
  Tania♥

P.S. I would love it if you could share with us what you are thankful for today!

4 comments:

  1. Hello beautiful Tania! I love Pollyanna!!! Watching that movie always makes me so happy! I need to read the book too! I love the glad game and her optimism! I love it when she tells the sick lady that was planning her own funeral, " You ought to think of living, not dying!" Her positive outlook and cheerfulness is much needed in our world today! Thank you for sharing the link to your lovely friend's blog. I will have to visit her, it sounds wonderful! Your blog is wonderful, inspiring, cheerful and uplifting! Your heart and love for Jesus shines through in all you do, yes dear, you are a Pollyanna! :)

    I love the beautiful verse you shared!!! Blessings and love, Paula

    PS~ I am so thankful that my open-heart surgery in November went well and that I am alive and feeling better! I feel so grateful to the Lord for that every single day. I have so much to be thankful for and one of them is your friendship!

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  2. You have a cute blog!

    westernwarmth.blogspot.com

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  3. Tan it's funny the kids and I were chatting about Pollyanna when they were with us the other day. We were watching the original 'Parent Trap' which also starred Hayley Mills. I remember the very first time I watched Pollyanna thinking what a wonderful world this would be if everyone played the 'Glad Game'. All too often though it appears that we (adults) are wired up to the exact opposite.

    Thank you for sharing about my blog. It was born out of my desire to ensure that my daily focus is on the Lord, by giving thanks for just one thing (from the many) each day, even on the days I have to dig deep; to be in a mind set of constant gratitude from the moment I wake up until I lay my head down at night. It is not always easy, but that is what I am called to do, hence my 365-days of gratitude.

    To pinch something you often quote.......... to always see the glass half full, not half empty!

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  4. I first read this book more than twenty years ago and recently found my thoughts returning to it as I pondered what's available today for my own daughter. Pollyanna is simple by today's standards, but contains the kind of genuine optimism and morality that our children sorely need. Author Eleanor Porter passed away in 1920 after writing a couple of sequels, but the remainder of the books in the series--there are eleven altogether, most out of print--are treasures. Your child will enjoy reading about the excitement of Pollyanna's adventures in such different times (in Pollyanna's Western Adventure, Pollyanna's is one of the first families with a "radio set") and you can enjoy the discussions that ensue as your child asks for explanations of life in the teens and twenties.

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