When it got to be my turn, I told everyone that I had to cheat because I don't have "low points" in my day. Every day that I wake up on the top side of the grass is a high point. After all, I've got every material "need" (food, clothing, shelter, companionship, health) covered, and a good number of my "wants" as well. (In fact, I figure that most of my "wants" are things I probably would be happier without.)
Of all my good fortunes, one of my best was the discovery almost 20 years ago that I get to decide how I feel each day. Life throws all kinds of events my way, but how I feel is decided by me, continually, as I jaunt through each glorious day. Sure, things like getting stuck in traffic, or finding the dog has made a mess on the carpet, or even losing a job can all have an influence on your daily mood. But after all that, we decide to feel sad, or angry, or forsaken. And we can just as easily decide to feel upbeat.
At first, this decision-making process may be difficult, but like most things, it get's easier with practice. Here's a couple of easy ways to begin:
1. Compare the things that gone "right" in your life with the things that have gone "wrong". I think you'll find that, even though we spend a lot of time thinking about the "wrongs", life is mostly composed of the "rights".
2. Think of something else when you find yourself dwelling on adversity. As Dale Carnegie used to say, "Don't saw the sawdust."
3. When someone asks you how you are, don't mumble an "OK, I suppose". Instead, answer with a convincing "GREAT!!". You'll be amazed how much better you feel.
Events, both good and bad, happen to all of us. How we feel, is decided by each of us on a minute-by-minute basis. Don't want to feel like "Poop warmed over"? The answer is simple: Feel Great!!
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