Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Reasons for cheer

I was brought up to look at the dark and scary side of life (and there's probably a bit of genetics in there too). Although this should have been an advantage if I were a blues singer or maker of indie movies - well I'm neither.
So I have been researching how to be cheerful on the 'Net and the first five minutes have actually been quite fruitful.

Out of the 11 reasons to be cheerful listed on the lifehack webpage, I actually score pretty well. I guess I just need to see this more often:
  1. I'm alive
  2. my health - I wouldn't be the ideal human specimen that every alien probe dreams of, but then I don't have any life threatening diseases and, no matter how much I've moaned about my various health complaints, at least I can pass for normal most of the time. 
  3. I'm in a relationship with someone I love and who loves me
  4. I have family - a child, a parent (apparently a plus even if she knows how to push all my insanity buttons), a sibling, an in-law who is amazing, and a great nephew and niece
  5. I am in full time employment (a plus just 'cos I can't afford not to be)
  6. I'm doing something that adds value to society (by working for a non-profit)
  7. I can look back on my life and be proud of certain achievements (my travels, my efforts at painting, writing and sewing)
  8. I have something to look forward to (the day the boy is secure enough in his employment that I can go part-time, a trip to the UK to visit the boy's family - whenever they may be)
  9. a plan for the future - not really
  10. financial security - only just
  11. friends - I have been sadly slack in keeping in touch with my friends, but have been working on that. I managed to call two friends last month which is better that I've done in the previous 6 months.
That's about 7/11 and nothing to be sneezed at.
None of the above are especially glamorous or exciting, but I read somewhere that it's the little stuff that keeps us glad to be alive. I'm all for that.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't it funny what yo can find on the net? I Googled how to cook barley today....

I think another thing you can add to your list is 'you don't live in Cairns or Townsville'.

Amanda said...

I'm completely over working full time too. Unfortunately if we are to achieve our financial goals I don't see an alternative over the next few years. It sucks:(

Its very important to me to have a life & friends outside of work but its hard when time and energy are lacking. But speaking of that...we're thinking about going to the Newtown Festival to see the Klezmer Rebs http://klezmer.co.nz/2010/12/06/a-happy-hannukah-present-from-the-klezmer-rebs/

Might we see you there?

Violet said...

donnasoowho: or Egypt or Pakistan or the Bible Belt...

Amanda: maybe you will! We usually go, though normally wouldn't last all day. But I'll put a reminder on my calender or something.