I was raised by a sassy mom and a sedate dad. As a child, I behaved more like my father, but now, as a mother of five, I behave much like my snarky mom. My grandmother exposed me to British comedies...nice and dry. I adore sarcasm. More than one past relationship disintegrated due to my partner's lack of ability to handle constant sarcasm and cynicism. Unfortunately, I am getting flooded by negativity as an adult and "sarcasm" is not the life raft I expected. My attitude MUST change!
I read a great article by Mary Vance. The article has 5 steps toward having a happier outlook. Although these methods are nothing new, it is always good to be reminded about how your attitude can damage (or strengthen) your wellness. I regularly perform the first suggestion in the article - the gratitude list. I write down three things that I am thankful for.
Today I am thankful for:
- My great-aunt who is in town to help my grandmother after surgery!
- My backyard which is fenced in and large enough for an above ground pool, BIG garden, shed, trees and play space for 5 kids and 2 dogs.
- My seed collection - The last time I planned a garden curriculum for my students, they were in first grade and totally uninterested. Now they are in fourth grade and ready to handle more gardening responsibility on their own. I'll be planning a spring curriculum around the garden again!
I am thankful for much, much more. People don't usually realize how much they have to be thankful for. You can go basic...air, water, shelter. You can go specific...my recliner, The Biggest Loser, tortillas. The point is, look at all these things you have to be happy about...cheer up! Look at what you've got, not what you don't have!
I've always felt so lame making a vision board. I act like I'm ashamed of my interests, passions and good memories. Like I want to hide what makes me happy. What a pointless habit. A disgusting waste of energy too.
I'm working on creating a vision board on my computer desktop. It shows random pictures of past events and memories that make me happy and/or motivate me. I'm about half done with it. I add a picture here and there when I have a spare minute.
I'm also considering a photo album. Real, hard copies of photos are SO much better than cropped, shrunk images, collaged onto an icon-crowded desktop. The feel of a photo has a "macaroni and cheese" effect on me. Comfort food.
I seek the comfort of prints when all else fails. And it works. I'll see one of those photos, all by itself and not part of a busy collage. That photo will make me smile. That memory becomes more tangible when I hold a picture in my hand. The moment captured becomes more real, more intimate.
I often forget the amazing adventures I have been on. Usually I'm too caught up worrying about the things I haven't done. Waste of time and effort. More positive moments are available in photo form to remind me of the thrill of whitewater rafting. Camping trips. That crazy, high train trestle I walked across. Disneyworld. The beach. Sweet family moments. Friends. Family. Connections.
