It shouldn’t be a real shocker anymore when things don’t always go my way. Aging sometimes reminds me of my high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Craven. When I was feeling pretty cocky about my growing knowledge of the 94 elements roaming around earth, Mr. Craven would quiz me about the other twenty or so that hang out in other places. Now, when I think I have this aging stuff down pretty well, a new pain comes on board or I lose a close friend to cancer or I find myself searching my mind for a worthy purpose to get out of bed.
I came up with a simple remedy that works every time. It costs me nothing and it’s quicker than a pain pill. I simply focus on the good in everyone I know. I read in an old psychology book that our brains are wired to first search out the things we perceive as bad or deficient in people around us before we move on to the good stuff. Now, when I’m in a funk, I focus all my attention on the good things I see in family and friends. I even make lists of their terrific attributes. On many occasions, I find ways of letting them know how I feel.
The strange thing is, in most cases, they take a greater shine to me almost immediately.
When the air is filled with goodness, it’s darn hard to stay in a funk.