things that are good.
I know I make the love lists every Friday (just click on love in my categories over there —->) but really, I feel like I need more this week.
My whole face feels like it’s going to explode, my lungs are rattling like maracas, and I’m actually a) getting a new puffer today, and b) going to the clinic to get a timeline on my impending death.
“Doctor, will I have time to write my poetry manifesto? And woo Mr. Cusack? And write all those thank you notes I’ve been putting off? And fathom the appeal of high-waisted pants? And finally leave my heart in San Francisco?”
Probably not.
And that’s why I need…
MORE GOODNESS. MORE YAY! MORE WOOOOOOOO!
We live in such a cynical space most of the time. The media feeds us cynicism all day long, the future of the planet is cynicism-inspiring, the condition of our society is ripe for cynical despair…
Nothing really looks good.
So focusing on the good things seems like a relief to me in the midst of all that.
And a hope.
And a goal.
And a bit of a calling.
So.
THINGS THAT ARE GOOD. REALLY.
David Sedaris anything
Reading a magazine over lunch
Numi Dry Desert Lime Tea
Missing truly good people
Tortoiseshell glasses
Falling asleep in front of the fireplace and the hockey game
Affectionate eye-rolling
Effective staplers
Saying “I love you!”
Chocolate eyeballs
Cooking shows
Eyelashes
Laughing so hard you get a cramp in your stomach
Laid-back men
Red toenails
Carbonara
Hand talkers
Travel mugs (I almost typed Travel Megs and YES! YES! YES!)
People who make fun of themselves
Scrabble en Francais
Halloween costumes that AREN’T excuses to show skin
Men who trust me to choose their pants
Pringles
My superior finger-snapping skills
Rain stopping just long enough for me to get home
Dreams you have when you fall back asleep on a weekend morning
Imperfect smiles
Saying what you think to someone who is listening
Now:
What are four good things in your life today?
What’s the last news story you read that actually made you hopeful, not despairing?
What are you doing to make other people feel good?
October 17th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
1. Being the first comment poster on your blog. That’s cool
2. My friend is the second picture on Google image search of Geeks. That’s hilarious
3. There are over 50 cookies sitting on the table at work. Yum!
4. I get to go grocery shopping this evening. I’m excited.
-I didn’t read it actually, but I heard about it on the radio. A guy found a wedding ring at the dump, found out who’s it was and returned it to them.
-Baking cupcakes. They may be to celebrate my birthday, but I hope to make other’s fridays happy.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
1. My toddler is being less “hit-Mom-in-the-face” today. Orange juice. Getting a $30 Starbucks card just because my husband has an evil ex-wife (long story). Perfect fall weather.
2. The Rockies coverage lately has been pretty upbeat. I’m not much of a sports fan, but Go Rockies!
3. Reading toddler lots of stories to make up for being too sick to get off the couch much. Dog-sitting for one of my seniors I volunteer for. Driving a friend to get his ACL fixed.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Also, chocolate eyeballs? Groovy!
October 17th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
4 good things today
1. My friends.
2. My family.
3. The prospect of a new job.
4. A newfound passion for volleyball.
Last news that made me hopeful?
I read on the West Ender about a guy who selflessly gave away an umbrella to a guy whose automatic umbrella had been distroyed.
What am I doing to make people feel good?
At the moment, just focusing on my work. But I’ve given out chocolates ;)
October 17th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Four good things today:
1. The prospect of my fiance coming downtown to take me out to lunch tomorrow on my one hour work break.
2. Feeling really productive at work.
3. Waking up to the wagging tail and hopeful little face of a 12 week old puppy. Even though it was at 6:30 am.
4. Friends visiting from out of town.
Last news that made me hopeful: The SPCA dog featured on Nat & Drew in the Morning got adopted by a good family!
Things I am doing to make others feel good: encouraging my fiance to get more shows. Baking him cookies. Sending a “thinking of you just because” card to my uncle in England.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
1. my baby slept well last night
2. i got to take a shower *and* shave my legs
3. eating my weight in honeycrisp apples
4. corny cow jokes
news story: stephen colbert (jokingly) running for president
my good contribution: all baby, all the time…showing endless devotion to a 9 pound dictator
October 17th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Four good things:
1. I grocery shopped yesterday, which I hate, so now I have food. Which I love. (Including Halloween packaged Peanut Butter M&Ms - portion controlled for those of us with no self-control.)
2. My friend just emailed to see if I want to go to dinner tonight. Yes, yes I do.
3. No View, No Touch mouse traps so if I do catch this guy, I don’t have to see his carcass. Ack.
4. No headache today! Job hunt stress has been producing near-constant headaches, but not today! No, sir!
Hopeful news:
I heard a lot of good news at the dyslexia conference I attended last week about the good things going on in schools and private practices to help struggling kids learn to read and build self-esteem.
What I’m doing:
I emailed a blogger I recently discovered to tell her how funny she was. I know it’s not a big thing, but we all need a little affirmation from time to time, even if it is from Internet strangers.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
1. Forgiveness
2. My friend Katherine
3. Our monthly work birthday party, complete with excellent food
4. Good music
- It was about this kid in Michigan who was dying of leukemia. His school voted him the prom king, and he died a few days later. A very touching, beautiful story, that restores my hope in the youth of today.
- Telling people I love them. I’m trying to show it in practical ways as well, whether it be in a little post-it encouragement note, a small gift, a hug, or something that I know will be meaningful to them.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
1. Otis Redding singing “That’s how strong my love is”
2. The perfect nail polish color.
3. Perfecting the art of my job which involves spewing a lot of BS in less than 20 minutes
4. A friend of mine - and really talented writer - having a dream that I got a book deal
-I haven’t actually watched the news today so N/A
-Spending as much time as possible with my friends who I won’t see again until February.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
1. My husband loves his new job.
2. Edy’s cherry chocolate chip ice cream.
3. The new Starbucks that’s two steps away from my office.
4. My son is happier.
News story… actually, it was a hilarious story about panty girdles. Really.
I’m kissing my husband and fixing dinner.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Go Colbert! As wacky and wierd as he is, I’d vote for him.