As I look back on the recent posts of this blog, I quickly realize that my gratitude journal is becoming dimmed by a lot of sad events that have happened recently. There have been so many deaths in the music world this year, in rapid-fire succession, it has become a challenge to recover from one tragedy before we find the next staring in our faces. I posted each one on my page because I wanted to "pay my respects" online and remember the lost. Unfortunately, I am in danger of losing the original plan to share stories of joy and gratitude on here, so I am trying to refocus and get back to the good during these dark days.
Some say happiness is a choice. I think its definitely a lifestyle and a mindset, both which require work. Its hard to always "choose" to wear a smile and to be optimistic in the face of disappointment, sadness and the rest- but I am finding out that if I keep track of a few things a day to be grateful for- even the basics, I become aware of exactly how much good exists in my life and my world. And when you start looking for the good, you "exercise" the gratitude muscle and it becomes second nature. Maybe optimism can be an acquired taste. Another important thing in the "pursuit of happiness" is to avoid like the plague the impulse to compare. "Comparison is the thief of joy"- Shakespeare summed it up beautifully and perfectly. Everyone has a measuring stick when it comes to the world around us, and its destined to make us miserable because as long as someone else has more (and someone always will!), our life is going to come up short. As long as we are looking at the person next to us that seems to lead a charmed life, we are missing our perspective on our own identities and burying what makes us unique in a doomed quest for perfection, by someone else's standards. Besides, if the person next to us has an overwhelming amount of blessings in their life, what does it matter to them if they are fixated on all the bad? They might as well have nothing because for some, its never "enough". When you live with a grateful heart, you never have that issue to deal with.
I'm going to sign off this post with a few things I am grateful for today. Hoping to return to a positive state of mind, along with my blog.
Gratitude List 4/22/16:
(1) I am grateful that the sun is shining on this Earth Day.
(2) I am happy that the week is over and we survived the work and drama!
(3) The irises are in full bloom, and seeing them thriving really lifts my spirits.
(4) I am grateful for our kind next door neighbors that I wish I could adopt as family.
(5) I'm grateful my son is still young enough to give me giant bear hugs and kisses in public, without shame.
Wishing everyone a joyful weekend- let's make it shine!
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