Although my granddaughter Adeline loves PreK 4 and the uniform she wears to attend school each day, she has equally enjoyed the Mardi Gras break.

Each night, she decides how she wants to dress the next day, and has her mom lay out her clothes.

The day she was Princess Belle she put on her long yellow ball gown, then informed me on the hairstyle.

“Half up, half down, and the top part needs to be in a bun.”

Then she dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

“How does Dorothy wear her hair?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Adeline panicked.

We did a quick google search and I put her hair in two ponytails. (Her curly hair wouldn’t submit to braids that day.)

“Now I need white socks,” she said. The fact that she had outgrown her red, glittered shoes and was wearing sandals didn’t stop her from wearing white socks.

“Toto’s in the bathroom and the basket is in my room.” I didn’t bother to ask why; I just followed her to retrieve the props.

Then she was a gymnast and once again her personality reflected the costume she wore.

In much the same way, I have discovered that when I choose to put on “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3) I instantly feel better.

I become someone who is grateful instead of a complainer as my thoughts move from myself to my God.

When I decide to wrap myself up in praise and thanksgiving, appreciation for my blessings overshadows any negative thoughts that try to weigh me down.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.