Optimism
-
Fresh sparks of daily joy
“Joy has been leaking out of our lives. The small pleasures of the ordinary day seem almost contemptible, and glance off us lightly.…So, perhaps it’s a good time to reconsider pleasure at its roots. Changing out of wet shoes and socks, for instance. Bath robes. Yawning and stretching. Real tomatoes.” ~ Barbara Holland, Endangered Pleasures These days, sadly, we can count on a non-stop news cycle of war casualties, airline calamities, dangerous storms, and unsettling political turmoil. Which is why I always look forward to David Muir’s “America Strong” segment on ABC’s “World News Tonight.” Concluding the nightly news broadcast, “America Strong” highlights uplifting stories of generosity and resilience, giving…
-
Joy despite the facts
“Be joyful, even though you have considered all the facts.” ~Wendell Berry Time off is the best gift we can give ourselves when we need it. I usually thrive on writing blog posts and columns, but sometimes it’s a relief to wake up without deadlines. Without deadlines, I’m more attuned to my surroundings and the moment at hand. I stop feeling pressured to turn every idea, emotion, or event into a story. There’s freedom, for instance, in knowing I can simply appreciate a luminous moon or a field of sunflowers without having to document the spectacle. So what did I do with the extra hours of deadline-free time? My goal…
-
Three’s a charm
“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are: Something to do, something to love, and something to hope.” ~Joseph Addison, English poet and essayist There’s something magical about “The Rule of Three” — a time-honored literary device. Just for starters, there are three blind mice, three musketeers, three little pigs, three spirits of Christmas, three wise men, and the three fates. And of course, in countless myths and fairy tales, the hero on the journey is typically granted three wishes or given three tasks. I’m also a fan of Dr. Andrew Weil’s “Three Good Things” journaling exercise, which suggests making a list of three good things that happened each…
-
Looking for happiness?
“Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention.” ~Greg Anderson As today’s quote reminds us, the real secret to happiness is linked to what we choose to dwell on. Most of us have a lot to be grateful for, and most of our worries are within our control. So, when we look around — even in trying times — we’ll still find an abundance of good things to celebrate. What bright spots of happiness will you focus on today? ~CL Above photo: outside a clothing boutique in Saugatuck, MI
-
Gratitude
“Of all the practices, I believe that learning to feel and express gratitude may be the most important in achieving and maintaining a happy life.” ~Andrew Weil, M.D. Are you counting your gifts, advantages, and blessings? Numerous studies show that keeping a gratitude journal on a daily basis will improve our life satisfaction within three weeks. You need only list a few items — and they don’t have to be major. Small pleasures add up to a big increase in contentment. Consider the taste of your morning brew, the fall colors on your morning walk, or the lovely handwritten note you received in yesterday’s mail. Record your gratitude list at…
