Early last year, I read a story about creating a “jar of positivity.” This, as the story pointed out, was to combat the negativity of news and the ease with which bad things affect our general mental outlook.
I thought, “Hmmmmm, could prove interesting.” The article pointed out that you should write them down, then pull them out at the end of the year and read them. This would help you gain a better perspective on the personal events that shaped your life in a positive joyous way. It would also help you mentally, spiritually, psychologically, and probably physically fight bad events that tend to bring you down.
Looking for something new, I latched onto the idea and wrote down good news as the year unfolded. I pulled them out, scratched on pink, green, yellow and blue 3-by-5 cards and read them. Here they are, with some explanations (I will point out that there were 30 in total):
I thought, “Hmmmmm, could prove interesting.” The article pointed out that you should write them down, then pull them out at the end of the year and read them. This would help you gain a better perspective on the personal events that shaped your life in a positive joyous way. It would also help you mentally, spiritually, psychologically, and probably physically fight bad events that tend to bring you down.
Looking for something new, I latched onto the idea and wrote down good news as the year unfolded. I pulled them out, scratched on pink, green, yellow and blue 3-by-5 cards and read them. Here they are, with some explanations (I will point out that there were 30 in total):
- In editing a book for a friend, she sent me a “thank you” note afterwards that was one of the most in-depth heart-felt pieces of writings I’ve read in my life. I blushed.
- During November, I got in a cold round of golf with two close friends, Jeff and Jason, which turned into one of those miraculous days where almost everything goes right, shooting my best round of the year. It was 48 degrees with a 20-mph wind. Not ideal conditions to play, but the day was.
- My wife and I visited France, including Normandy, the Louvre, taking a river bike ride, sitting down for a painting class, hanging with good friends on the top of the boat as the world went by, drinking excellent coffee and wine, eating topnotch pastries and soup at outdoor cafes. Great learning and gastronomical experiences.
- Playing a scrambling round of golf for the first time competitively with my son, my younger brother, and his son. The bonding, team dynamics, chili and sitting around the campfire afterwards.
- Meeting with our soon-to-be in-laws as our younger daughter and her fiancé took us around St. Louis to show us the wedding event venue and what they have planned.
- Two of our three kids making it home for Thanksgiving and sitting around the fire in our cast-iron stove reading, talking, playing games.
- In early May, I finished the book, “After the Fall,” by Noah Hawley, entranced by how he dug into the way different people relate to events differently, twisting things around and demonizing people.
- May 16th, I went four for four in our old man men’s baseball league and pitched two bad innings in a 21-3 mauling of our opponent.
- To start the season in the old codger league, I got hits in 11 of my first 12 at-bats. Never to be duplicated, I’m sure.
- Took a trip back to the DFW area in Texas, visiting with multiple friends and family. The drive itself was its own journey, and catching up with good people you haven’t seen in eight years made it tremendously satisfying.
- I wrote a column on what it’s like to officiate small-town high school basketball when you drive there from a larger metro area, and it went viral in my own small world. It consistently overwhelms me when I hit a nerve with a large readership.
- I was invited to do the color commentary for a high school basketball game and made that happen near the end of the year, though technical difficulties prevented it from being broadcast. We still pretended we knew what we were doing.
- Another column I wrote: Discussing why parents should cheer for their kids rather than complain about officiating got 1,800+ hits on my LinkedIn account by the time I stopped counting. It says something about people wanting to watch local sporting events for the right reason – to cheer for their team and be positive.
- I was interviewed for a chapter in a book by a colleague on how leaders handle workplace stress/anger, using my sports officiating and communications career background.
- Made an anger management presentation locally in Waukesha. Twelve people attended. Small steps of progress.
- A long-term good friend I will identify as Ralph repeatedly messages me positive notes regarding things in my life, reinforcing our friendship. Goodwill towards others.
- Going to a play with one of my college roommates and his family, most of whom I haven’t seen for close to 50 years, and reuniting with my buddy’s brother-in-law who rode his bicycle with me for several days during my trip across North America in 1982.
- Having my son attend one of my old-man baseball games and me making a bone-headed play along with a sprint around the bases to score a necessary run, just beating a tag at home plate.
- Running poorly in the Wisconsin Masters Games in the 65+ age bracket. Just being there is enough.
- Haircuts and conversation with the woman who cuts my hair.
- A trip to Ireland and getting to play golf with my brothers and our sons, and explore the scenery, culture, whiskey, and food there – Belfast, Kilarney, Causeway of the God, Ballybunion/Dooks.
- Getting vegetables from a buddy in an annual trek north and then sharing them with another buddy in Marquette, MI. Friendship.
- Serving as our service person as our team ran in a Ragnar near Rib Mountain, WI. Cheering everyone on, taking photos, drinking beer, nodding off in front of the campfire, listening to the storytelling.
- Another round of golf with Jason and Jeff. Pouring rain the hour drive to see them and get to the course. Clouds part miraculously ten minutes before arrival. Light breeze, 64-degrees, brief sprinkle, then I shoot my second-best round of the year.
- Going to see a poorly played University of Illinois football game with a buddy and my younger brother. It’s all about getting together and hanging out, not the loss.
- Getting Father’s Day cards from all three of our kids. Made me laugh.
- Taking an e-bike ride (first time) in Maine with our younger daughter and her (now) fiancé and getting a tour of the local sites.
- Refereeing the Serbian National Basketball Tournament and trying to stay on top of the high-level play for the teams which came from all over the country, then chatting with them in the parking lot as the players hung out afterwards with each other, drinking, eating, barbecuing, and catching up on their families back in the old world.
- Listening to Bill Carollo, head of the Big 10 football officiating team give a touching, motivational and humorous talk on officiating, aging, fitness.
- Helping as a clinician at a good friend’s basketball officiating camp in Pennsylvania over the summer, providing positive and constructive feedback to campers so they can improve and hopefully reach the college ranks.
- And, finally (is that all?), my best golf round of the year at one of my favorite near-by little tracks. Though I must acknowledge using a mulligan.