Look for the happy

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peace-dove-clipartkidThere is so much bad stuff going on all over. My eyes glaze over when I read the paper. I fear I’m getting desensitized with the frequency.

It’s global and local. It’s Aleppo, Berlin and the person down the street.

How have I been so successful with my “duck and weave,” dancing around to miss the arrow of adversity?

I was lucky to be born where I am. There are no wars going on. There is food to eat and shelter that isn’t being bombed. Is that the luck of the draw? Meant to be? Why me? (Usually we ask that question when the bad stuff happens but it works either way.)

Then I look at who gets struck with a deadly illness or is killed in an accident. I recently heard about the husband of a former co-worker who just went into hospice. You know what that means. No hope. He’s younger than me. Why him? Why anyone?

I’ve had my share of tragedy but it doesn’t measure up to what I see. Even when I wish for things, I have so much to be grateful for.

I am warm, healthy and not hungry, with friends (furry and otherwise) and a beloved husband. For this holiday I will focus on “the happy.”

Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, I wish you the best. I hope you are not cold or hungry. I hope you have friends and family to support you. I hope you can find the happy in your life.

 

33 thoughts on “Look for the happy”

  3. I like this F. Scott Fitzgerald quote: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

    Probably in all of human history there have been wars, pestilence, famine, lovers’ quarrels, etc. It’s unrealistic to pretend the “bad stuff” doesn’t exist. In fact, we may need to pay attention so we can help someone near or far who is suffering. But if we wait until every problem is solved before finding and enjoying happiness in our own lives, it will be a long wait indeed. We can usually find beauty and happiness all around us if only we open our eyes.

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  9. Thank you for the reminder to look for the happy! I have so much to be grateful for (I feel a little guilty sometimes) and much of my good fortune was out of my hands. Focus on the good in our lives, and do what we can to help alleviate the bad in the lives of others. Merry holidays, Kate!

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  11. Yes Kate, focusing on the HAPPY here. You almost have to or the bad stuff will suck the life out of you. Trying to do little acts of kindness for both cats at the shelter and people. it goes a long way… it’s a small way but it helps.

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    • Yes “suck the life out of you” is right! Just today I was going through towels for the shelter. I’m not allowed to deliver them (the beloved husband does). Last time I was there Morgan came home with me. I also send anything else I can like the cat food my cats turn their nose up at. (I tell them about starving kitties but they are not having any of it.)

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  13. Yes, the news is very disheartening lately, but there’s a lot of good things happening too. Recently, I’ve seen several reunion stories about father’s who’ve been overseas and surprise their child. A complete stranger leaving a struggling pregnant waitress a $900 tip. Sometimes it’s good to tune out the bad and focus on the good. One website I enjoy is http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org, Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kate!

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