Well, it’s that time of year again that I find myself
becoming somewhat of a Debbie Downer, a Negative Nelly, a Cynical Cindy…call it
what you will. I don’t know if it’s the short days, the bad weather, everyday
stress, or some combination thereof (although I would put money on the first
two), but winter time seems to always provoke a general malaise in me that I’m
not proud of. I could blame it on seasonal affective disorder, but honestly, I
think that’s just medical jargon to describe about 90% of people who endure
Pacific Northwest winters. I could blame it on any number of external factors,
and although they may be contributors, I know that ultimately I am responsible
for my attitude.
I’m participating in the annual Wellness Challenge at SU,
and each week they are sending out an inspirational/informational video
(usually a TED Talk) that is meant to address some facet of personal wellness.
The first video they sent out has stuck with me. It’s about a guy who started a
blog that just lists all the simple pleasures or awesome things in life that he’s
thankful for, despite any of the crappy things that happen to him. It was
pretty empowering, really, because his message reinforces the idea that we are all
the bearers of our own happiness to a large extent. You can watch the video
here, if you’re curious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajKMkIXN1eg.
After watching this video, I felt inspired to come up with
my own list of everyday things I’m thankful for and that make life worth living.
I recognize that relishing these things on a regular basis is a key part of
shaking the blues and maintaining my PMA, as the reggae guys say. So here’s
what I’ve got so far:
- When bartenders are friendly, sometimes remember your name, and occasionally even offer you free drinks.
- When you wake up in the middle of the night to your cat spooning you.
- Calling out sick every now and then when you’re not really sick and not caring because you deserve the day off.
- Smelling something that instantly summons nostalgic, comforting memories, like a perfume that reminds you of your grandma, a campfire that reminds you of summertime, or that fresh-cut wood smell at hardware stores that reminds you of your dad.
- The satisfaction of getting to the top of a vigorous hike and rewarding yourself with a home-packed lunch and an awesome view.
- When radio stations play ad-free, talk-free stretches of awesome songs during your commute.
- Game night with friends or family, where you can shamelessly let out your inner-nerd.
- When the weather reporter says the ten-day forecast includes nothing but rain, rain, rain, and then at least one of those days is totally sunny and wonderful.
- Three day weekends. 'Nuff said.
- YouTube videos of baby animals doing nauseatingly adorable things (like this one).
- When you are able to maturely, successfully resolve an argument with little to no lingering resentment, and you realize your relationship is much stronger because of it.
- Finding those few songs that perfectly match the tone of your voice and feeling, at least for a moment, that you might not actually be tone deaf.
- After the above realization, belting it out in your car by yourself and feeling you could rival any contestant on The Voice.
- Finding a strong community that doesn't judge you for who you authentically are, whether it's at church, your neighborhood bar, your Magic the Gathering group, your dodge ball team, or whatever the heck you're into.
- Finding a pair of jeans that fits your lower half perfectly—FINALLY!
- Spending a Friday or Saturday night at home watching movies in your pajamas and overeating…because we all need those nights sometimes.
- Being the one who gets to deliver really good news to someone and the resulting satisfaction of knowing you made their day.
- Korean dramas. Addictingly cheesy, romantic, silly Korean dramas.
- Candy Crush, the daily crossword, and other simple-pleasure brain games that I can’t stop playing.
- Finally being a full-time, salaried, benefited employee for the first time EVER!
This list is to be continued, and hopefully for every
sour-puss comment or angsty complaint I make, I’ll have at least one awesome
thing to herald. Thanks for putting up with me, folks! :)
