Tag: happiness

“the world doesn’t like hearing negative things”

My mystery guest says I should post a nice blog today because “the world doesn’t like hearing negative things.”

OK.

It’s November and my Facebook feed is filled with people doing the daily gratitude statuses. I usually don’t play along with that, because I try hard to be grateful on a daily basis, not just one time each year…but today, I will be grateful right here.

I am grateful for…

…these crazy pets. Even though they get fur on everything and wrestle non-stop and stomp on my face when I’m napping, they’re pretty awesome. There’s a lotta love.

…my kiddo. Teenage kiddo can sure push my buttons when she wants, but for the most part, she’s a good kid, a kind person, and I’m proud of who she’s growing up to be.

…my friends. You’re a tolerant bunch of mofos to deal with my introverted disappearing acts and still love me when I finally reappear.

…my family. Ya’ll know I’m a pain in the ass and still invite me to dinner anyway.

…my job. This is a tough one, because a lot of days I feel like I’m selling a piece of my soul, but I am grateful for work, insurance, paychecks and to work in the company of some really neat people.

…this mystery guest. I laugh a whole lot more than I’ve laughed in years in the company of this mystery guest. An abundance of hugs and laughing until my face hurts is such a good way to spend time.

…this blog, and my other blog, and places I’ve been published. Writing has kept me from going Hulk Smash on any number of citizens, and it’s been a place to both turn loose of the heaviest sadness and welcome in waves of love.

…for love. I don’t always mean “romance” when I say love; sometimes I just mean the love that surrounds us everyday if we’re looking for it. I am grateful for the unconditional love of friends, family, and fur friends, but also for the love that near-strangers are willing to give. I have a Facebook friend that I’ve never met in person, but she emailed me on Halloween morning to wish me a great day, knowing it’s my favorite day of the year…and that kind of sweetness and caring is the special stuff that can change the world, folks.

surround yourself…

surround yourself with…
…people who inspire your creativity–they make you laugh, they give you love, they make you think & dream outside the box;

…furniture suitable for really using–if you can’t nap on your couch, drink red wine on it, snuggle with a dog and a blanket on it, or watch back to back scary movies on it comfortably, my advice is to just set it on fire.

…stuff that makes you happy–your stuff, your belongings: if it doesn’t delight you or evoke cozy, good vibes, get rid of it.

…love. lots and lots of love is critical. give love, but be open to receiving love.

…music and books that abso-freakin-lutely thrill you–listen to what you like even if it’s not “cool,” and read what fuels your imagination.

immerse yourself in awesome. this is not a test. stop wasting time. feel good now.