Don’t expect less.
Assume you’re entitled to live the life you want.
Bank on the fact that you will be happy, healthy, and fulfilled.
Believe that it’s going to work out the way you want it.
If it turns out otherwise, you’ll adjust.
Expect More
Video: Science of Happiness – An Experiment in Gratitude
Watch this video! You won’t regret it.
One More Reason to Stay Healthy
We all want to be in good health.
Equally true is that we often put off what we need to do to achieve that objective, needing reminders of what really matters. Many times they are unpleasant. Some times, we’re just fortunate.
Ever since I was old enough to live on my own, my place of residence has always been at distance from the remainder of my family. I didn’t dislike them and we (mostly) got along well. It’s just that — I don’t know — I guess I’m the one from my clan who was most inclined to strike out for new horizons.
I’m actually not very adventurous. So it came as no small shock to my parents when, after graduating college, I threw what few possessions I could call my own into my 1973 Mazda RX2 and drove across the 115 degree Nevada desert — without air conditioning — to establish myself as the afternoon drive DJ for KEYY AM in Orem, Utah. I held no particular desire to live in the Beehive State; it just happened to be where I landed my first gig. Upon arrival, they immediately demoted me to the all-night slot and fired me six weeks later.
Welcome to radio.
After that, I “played the hits” and spun classic vinyl throughout the west, eventually lighting on the Northcoast of California 30 years ago. I guess that qualifies me as “a resident,” and short of our airport, I love almost everything about this area and call it “home.” My family however still resides elsewhere.
In the past, it was always me, who at the end of a too-short visit, hugged my mother farewell, loaded suitcases into the car, and resumed my far-flung life, never successfully suppressing the wetness in my eyes.
The baton passes.
Are you Appreciative?
Appreciation runs in two directions.
It almost goes without saying that we all love to be appreciated.
What would the remainder of your day be like if:
- You did a “little something” around the house and your spouse said how much he appreciated it?
- One of your children called just to say he loves you and he’s glad you’re his mom?
- You were weeding your yard and noticed some weeds growing in your neighbor’s yard so you decided to pull a few of them. A short while later, there’s a knock on your door. It’s your neighbor, just saying “thank you”?
- You notice the person behind you in the grocery store line has only a couple things. You let him go before you. He sincerely wishes you a wonderful day?
Obviously, you’d feel great. It’s because you were appreciated.
We cannot make anyone else appreciate us. Yet, we sure can take the time to appreciate someone else.
Take a moment each day to appreciate a simple act.
You’ll appreciate how great it makes YOU feel.
Is it Really That Bad?
Spoiler alert: This seemingly negative rant has an upbeat ending. Don’t think I’ve driven off the grumpy cliff until you reach the conclusion.
Having stated that, I am so very sick of fog, grey skies, cold wind, and dampness.
Last week, I was speaking in Eastern Washington. One evening, my lovely wife and I walked to a restaurant. You know what? We didn’t have to wear a jacket, and no, we weren’t shivering, not a twitch! Nope, just a nice leisurely stroll; holding hands, wearing shorts and donned in short sleeves no less. The temperature was 75, the sky was postcard blue, a light breeze caressed our skin and in the distance, the setting sun was beginning to cast the most beautiful blood-orange red pattern behind marshmallow clouds.
Where I live, even in the spring, so much of the time you cannot go outside at night (let alone during the day) unless you’re wearing a parka, gloves, wool cap, and scarf. (Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration – but not much.) It would be so wonderfully enjoyable to relax on our deck during the evening and not shiver.
Like I said, I grow weary of dreary.
And now that I’ve got my cranky pants yanked snug, I’ve also grown tired of people throwing garbage on my property during the wee hours. Many mornings I come outside for the first time (wearing parka, glove, and wool cap) and find discarded on my lawn is someone else’s trash. It could be a fast-food bag or a soda bottle. Once I found soiled diapers. Are you kidding me? I don’t get such self-centered mentality. Are there herds of self-absorbed oblivious garbage automatons who amble the dark hours randomly tossing crap on other people’s property? I mean, how hard is it to walk the extra five feet and put it in our garbage can? I give you my permission. I want my yard to look nice; this isn’t helping – and I get grumpy about it.