Happiness as an attitude
"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong.The amount of work is the same.” Francesca Riegler
On a Monday, post football season, in the dead of winter, it's easy to get the blues.
Don't do it.
Make an effort to choose an attitude of happiness. If you don't know where to start, take your eye off problematic macro-topics (global warming, the election, why there's no guacamole emoji) and instead decide to take a posture of gratitude over the gifts and blessings of the day.
They don't have to be major, life-changing, Superbowl-winning kinds of blessings. Look at the little things and be grateful.
For the past couple of weeks I've been starting my day making lists of (mostly) little things for which I'm thankful, and it's amazing how the exercise sets up my attitude for the day.
A happy dog
Clean water
Hot showers
A perfectly ripe avocado
Great neighbors
Shoes which fit
Tea with milk
Public education
Seat warmers
Loofah sponges
The Taco Emoji
English muffins
Blue sky
Gloves
Calvin & Hobbes
Puffy clouds
Mandarin oranges
FaceTime
Book lights
Ladybugs
The public library
Clean sheets
Nine remaining toes
Round brushes
Electricity
Instant Pot
Starbucks
Airplanes
Palm Trees
Volcano candles
Sunsets
The Pacific
Some days the list starts off a little slow, but once I get started, it's tough to stop. Continuing is, after all, the point.
Look at the numbers on your keyboard and mentally find one item to be grateful for across the numbers. ten quick thoughts, make them small things. Consider how much better life is because they exist.
Aren't we all a little better off because of lady bugs?
I thought so...
Work at your outlook today. Ditch misery, fear, and general negativity in favor of gratitude. There's a whole bunch of beauty waiting for your attention!