The Power of Thought

Have you ever had the alarm go off or woken up and thought, “Oh, No. It’s Monday.”?

Or have you woken up and just wanted to crawl back under the covers and refuse to greet the world?

Or do you hit the snooze button and hope that it is better in 10 minutes?

I remember when I was in grade school, junior high, and high school that my mother refused to let me wear a pant suit or jeans to school. (Yes, I went to school in the late 60s and early 70s.) Her philosophy was that if you got yourself up, washed your face (or took a shower), brushed your hair, and put on nice clothes (a dress or skirt and top), you would feel better and do better than if you just threw on a pair of jeans.

So, every school day, I dressed in dresses and skirts and on many days pantyhose and platform shoes. Mini skirts required me to use correct posture move like a lady and heels required me to have a certain confidence in my walk. (I smile lately when I see the younger generation wearing dresses and heels, like Saturday at the farmer’s market.)

When I got to college, I found freedom from my parents’ rules and expectations. I could wear jeans to class if I wanted to. After all, what could it hurt. What I found was that if I was struggling to get up for a morning class and dressed in whatever jeans I could find so I could race to class, I didn’t always remember what happened during the day. BUT – If I took a moment to actually care about what I was wearing, I had a better day. (And, yes, caring about what I was wearing didn’t mean that I didn’t wear jeans. It meant that I took care about what jeans and top and accessories I put on.)

I find, now that I am retired, the same holds true. I need to get out of bed, even if I am not going anywhere, and pay attention to what I put on. I take time so that I feel good about myself.

The same thing holds true for the attitude we put on at any given time on any given day.

The weather here in Middle Tennessee has been rainy and dreary on and off for the last few weeks. On the days I let it get to me, it really gets me down.

BUT

When I make the decision to BE HAPPY or trudge through and get something done even though I don’t want to, I feel better and the people I am around feel better as well.

How can I make the decision to BE HAPPY?

Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes I have to search for the happy me, or do something to bring out the happy me. Coloring makes me happy, but then so does a cup of coffee on my porch. Watching some of the animals around our house can make me happy, especially the blue tailed skinks and the hummingbirds.

If all else fails, I find happiness and laughter in some of the adorable “laughter videos” online.

Happiness is contagious. Laughter is contagious.

Let people catch your happiness.

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Thanks for reading.

AND

As you move through your day-to-day activities and responsibilities, please remember to

Live Life –

Keep Things Simple –

Look for the Positive –

AND

Smile.

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