There are so many things to feel good about in our daily lives that it’s almost difficult to know where to start. That may sound odd given how much negativity is portrayed in the media – all the things not working, arguments, impasses, systems breaking down.
Here’s something to consider: When you hear about something bad on the TV news, see if what happens directly affects you. Has it changed your life? Does it do something to you personally? If it doesn’t, file it away, and count your blessings.
By all means, do your share. Get involved when an issue is important to you. Volunteer time. Help others. But remember that you can only do your share. Then think about all the positives.
Here’s one. The other day, as I was driving to work, there was a car pinned in to my left, and the driver wanted to get in front of me. My lane was dense as well, and it was rush hour and everyone wanted to get to work as fast as possible, kind of an odd syndrome (sarcasm).
It was a nice day. I had my window down, my arm hanging outside. I slowed down, waved my arm for the car to get ahead of me, and he pulled in. He signaled the thumbs up to me when he got settled in front of my car. I beamed. It made my day.
Little things like that happen on all the time. These types of incidents connect us to others, remind us that reaching out and touching someone, even somewhat anonymously as was the case here, is something that enhances your life.
After I waved back at the guy, l floated on air the rest of the commute. I hope he passed it on.
My dad plays a lot of golf. He hacks things up. That means he digs a lot of turf, the toupees of grass flying down the fairway.
Golfers are supposed to replace these divots. Most of the time we do so, and we feel good about this. My dad takes it a step further.
He takes the canister of sand mixed with grass seed that is left on tee boxes of Par 3 holes and also often available on the golf carts, and will fill in multiple divots while he is waiting to hit. This gives him a good feeling. It’s something that generates positive thoughts. After he does it, he’ll say something like, “I guess I’ve secured my place in heaven now.”
Perhaps he is right. Maybe god is looking down on those little things and seeing how we act. Do we demonstrate a small act of kindness to repair the earth? Regardless of how it is perceived, it’s another thing to feel good about. Try it the next time you are on the course.
When our mom was alive, she would take regular walks near our parents’ home in Topeka, KS. This dated back to long before “walking” became popular. She was an outdoor person, enjoying the air and exercise. She also cared about her surroundings.
That extended to the garbage so many people carelessly fling out their windows. As she walked, she would pick up the stray cans, bottles and wrappers that had made their way into the trenches along the road where my parents lived. She’d get home, recycle what she could and put the rest in the garbage where it belonged. I’m sure it made her feel good. It certainly made the street they lived on look good, and there’s a lot to be said for that – respecting and caring about your local environment.
We all have the capacity for these small good deeds every single moment of every day. They make us smile, feel better and remember we connect to others in seemingly insignificant ways that hold the promise of significant joy.
Here’s something to consider: When you hear about something bad on the TV news, see if what happens directly affects you. Has it changed your life? Does it do something to you personally? If it doesn’t, file it away, and count your blessings.
By all means, do your share. Get involved when an issue is important to you. Volunteer time. Help others. But remember that you can only do your share. Then think about all the positives.
Here’s one. The other day, as I was driving to work, there was a car pinned in to my left, and the driver wanted to get in front of me. My lane was dense as well, and it was rush hour and everyone wanted to get to work as fast as possible, kind of an odd syndrome (sarcasm).
It was a nice day. I had my window down, my arm hanging outside. I slowed down, waved my arm for the car to get ahead of me, and he pulled in. He signaled the thumbs up to me when he got settled in front of my car. I beamed. It made my day.
Little things like that happen on all the time. These types of incidents connect us to others, remind us that reaching out and touching someone, even somewhat anonymously as was the case here, is something that enhances your life.
After I waved back at the guy, l floated on air the rest of the commute. I hope he passed it on.
My dad plays a lot of golf. He hacks things up. That means he digs a lot of turf, the toupees of grass flying down the fairway.
Golfers are supposed to replace these divots. Most of the time we do so, and we feel good about this. My dad takes it a step further.
He takes the canister of sand mixed with grass seed that is left on tee boxes of Par 3 holes and also often available on the golf carts, and will fill in multiple divots while he is waiting to hit. This gives him a good feeling. It’s something that generates positive thoughts. After he does it, he’ll say something like, “I guess I’ve secured my place in heaven now.”
Perhaps he is right. Maybe god is looking down on those little things and seeing how we act. Do we demonstrate a small act of kindness to repair the earth? Regardless of how it is perceived, it’s another thing to feel good about. Try it the next time you are on the course.
When our mom was alive, she would take regular walks near our parents’ home in Topeka, KS. This dated back to long before “walking” became popular. She was an outdoor person, enjoying the air and exercise. She also cared about her surroundings.
That extended to the garbage so many people carelessly fling out their windows. As she walked, she would pick up the stray cans, bottles and wrappers that had made their way into the trenches along the road where my parents lived. She’d get home, recycle what she could and put the rest in the garbage where it belonged. I’m sure it made her feel good. It certainly made the street they lived on look good, and there’s a lot to be said for that – respecting and caring about your local environment.
We all have the capacity for these small good deeds every single moment of every day. They make us smile, feel better and remember we connect to others in seemingly insignificant ways that hold the promise of significant joy.
