It’s no secret that our world is obsessed with negativity.
From the news to celebrity gossip to our own hearts and minds, we can suddenly become inundated with all the wrong things and thoughts if we’re not careful. I used to be a big news junkie, and whenever I was around a television, I could literally sit and watch the news for hours. But these days, I will literally have no idea what’s going on around the world or even in our country sometimes. I rarely watch or read the news, and while I’m not definitely not saying that no one should be interested in world happenings, I’ve just found it’s better for my own state of well-being to let all that information out of my mind. I’m more the lets-bury-our-head-in-the-sand-and-everything-will-be-just-fine kind of person, and obviously if we were all that like, we would have massive problems, so if you are a newsy person, do carry on.
But really…if you ever do stop and think about how much we are surrounded by negativity, it’s pretty overwhelming. A while ago, I made a conscious effort to curb all the complaining that was escaping from my mouth, and I can honestly say that it has made a huge difference for me since then. Obviously, negative comments still slip out (it’s so cold! my coffee’s not hot! i have nothing to wear!), but I’m well-aware of them now and make an effort to correct myself.
We’re still in the throes of winter here in New York, and I think that this time of year more than any other time is the easiest to be negative and uninspired. The arctic chills seem to never end and spring still feels like it could be a long way off, and you just want to find yourself on a beach somewhere with the sunshine and a cold drink. So in effort to combat those winter blues, let’s focus on good things.
Here’s a list of things making me happy today::
+ homemade cinnamon rolls
+ reading Psalms
+ clean sheets that smell like lavender
+ lunch time kisses
+ macarons from my favorite bakery
+ baby kicks and squirms
+ quiet days at home
+ using up leftover food
+ our weekend plans
+ hot coffee
+ checking things off my list
+ listening to this
+ the promise that spring and warmth will come
What about you: what are some things making you happy today?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
As always, I appreciate your posts, Alicia! I'm often challenged to choose joy each day. Today I'm thankful for a snow day and the opportunity it brings to be still, do my own blogging, experiment in the kitchen and cross items off of my to-do list. 🙂
I am thankful for a napping child after a sort-of-rough-teething morning, for a restful afternoon, and a few new cook books from the library to hopefully inspire what's for dinner.
Thanks for reading, Janelle! I didn't realize you had a blog…heading to check it out now! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Mmm, restful afternoon + cookbooks…sounds perfect!
Such wisdom here. It sounds so simple to just not complain but it's amazing how much it changes. I remember in Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts she says thanksgiving precedes the miracle and it is TRUE. I am thankful for this reminder today!
Its true:: it sounds so easy to just focus on being thankful and it will change your perspective. But it's just true! 🙂