Let’s Look For the Good Stuff

Negativity Bias

We are programmed to watch out for obstacles and everything that can go wrong. This is an aspect of our self-preservation and can serve us well in many ways. But much of what we fear will not come to pass, and we can waste our precious time stewing in the future of “what ifs” or regretting and blaming things and people in our past.

What if we took a break and started and ended our day by “looking for the good stuff.”

It is mind-blowing to redirect our attention to all the good stuff in our lives. I bet if we made a list, there would be many more good things than you might imagine.

Let me make a brief list of some of the good stuff for today.

• It was a gorgeous day with the slightest whiff of autumn in the early morning air.
• Breakfast with my grandson and seeing him off on the 30-minute walk to his high school.
• Enjoying his joy and how he relishes this new daily walk entirely along the beautiful Rideau Canal.
• A delicious cup of coffee and a friendly barista.
• Spending the rest of the morning and afternoon at the lake with my seven NBC friends (non-bookclub)
• Getting to choose our books for this 2024/2025 season
• I love that the other seven members generously agreed for me to do a poetry evening instead of a book.
• Laughter, tears, and good food, potluck style, for this beautiful annual event.
• Hearing the call and response from two loons on the lake.
• The cars all stayed on their side of the road, and we went safely through every intersection in the 90-minute plus return trip.
• An all-clear report from the lab.
• A caring email from a faraway friend.
• Learning how to solve a math problem.
• Getting to make dinner for my Ottawa family, and we all enjoyed it.
• Sitting in my study typing words into this blog post and thinking of how lucky I am.
• Having family and friends who love me and who I love back.
• I have a daughter-in-law across the continent who kindly plays Wordle with me daily.
• Let me not forget my ToPo runners and smart wool socks with extra padding for the heels and toes. My complicated feet love this combo, and I feel like we (my feet and I) are walking on clouds. These runners bring me joy every day.

OK, I need to stop now

A friend and colleague who teaches at an American University gave me the idea for this post. Last Friday, I had the opportunity to interview him, and he introduced me to this idea. I immediately knew I would want to write about it today. He has his students take a few minutes to do this exercise, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Wait lists are long for his class on Buddhism and Psychology.

We don’t need to fear becoming too cheerful; lots of negativity will keep breaking through. However, if we practice shifting our attention to the good stuff, we will notice that negativity is no longer in charge of our daily lives. We can deal with what is and cross the unknown bridges when they appear. Today, we get to notice all the good stuff that is before our eyes and so easily missed when we forget to take time to see. Maybe you will give it a try.

Notes

1:) Thanks to Donald-Giamatti-czqGBaCVDOc-Unsplash for the banner photo. The sweet boy is my grandson several moons ago.

2:) We are now into my favourite month. As much as I am not a winter person anymore, I confess that I do love the seasons. I would just prefer that some of them were shorter.

3:) September is the start of my personal new year so I am making plans for a few changes. I wonder how you like September and if you see it, like I do, as a fresh start.

4:) Thank you for reading my blog – it is kind of you to do so, and I appreciate it. Sending my best wishes, Trudy