I don't mean literally looking up, though it has been nice to look up and see the sun in the sky for at least a couple of hours these past few days.
I read a blurb in Parents magazine about a study some Dutch scientists conducted regarding optimism. I don't know too many of the details (it was just a short paragraph, after all), just that according to their research, people who are optimistic have a 30 percent lower rate of dying from heart disease than their pessimistic counterparts. According to the mag, to help this optimism along, you should try to think of one happy or positive thing that happened to you each day.
Many years ago (maybe 10), a former coworker/current friend and I made ourselves come up with five happy thoughts each day. I think we tired of that after a couple of days, or maybe we just ended up being redundant, so we stopped. But the concept is a good one. In fact, most days I try to think of all the good I have in my life, even when I feel down. When I go to sleep each night, unless I fall asleep as soon as I turn out the lights (which sometimes happens) or unless I have some heavy worries on my mind, I make it a point to thank God for all He has given me. But even if you are not religious, surely you can find something positive.
This week, I was rejected for that job I interviewed for two weeks ago. Sure, that was a letdown, but looking on the bright side, I can tell myself the pay was going to be low and once Jordan was off for the summer, I would not have much left after paying for child care.
Today I received my long-awaited letter from Geico. Remember that fun power surge my neighborhood had Christmas Day 2009? Geico finally received everyone's information and they are ready to dole out the prorated money. Our damages were about $525. We will end up with $40 after we jump through another hoop or two. It is a paltry amount, but we paid for everything over a year ago, so I have to look at it as found money.
Another sub at school is called in to sub more than I am, and I cannot seem to get a straight answer as to why. But because she, not I, got the nod today, I was able to meet some friends for the Steeler rally downtown, much as these same friends and I did two years ago the last time the Steelers were in the Super Bowl.
And speaking of that, two years ago, these two friends and I were all working at the same place, appreciating having a steady income and flexibility (at least I know I was). Now the three of us (and others) are elsewhere as a result of downsizing. But the good news is that they both work downtown and I was not teaching today, so we were able to spend that hour or so together, cheering along with many others in the frigid temps (but sunny skies).
And, yes, the Super Bowl. It is amazing and exciting that the Steelers are going back to the big dance for the third time this decade. Of course I hope they win. As has been established either here or on Facebook, that victory will make my buying Brian's birthday present super easy. But if the Steelers don't prevail, I can tell myself that they already have won more games than any other team.
But here's hoping that come Sunday night at around 10 p.m., I won't have to look on the bright side for that one...
Here we go!
I read a blurb in Parents magazine about a study some Dutch scientists conducted regarding optimism. I don't know too many of the details (it was just a short paragraph, after all), just that according to their research, people who are optimistic have a 30 percent lower rate of dying from heart disease than their pessimistic counterparts. According to the mag, to help this optimism along, you should try to think of one happy or positive thing that happened to you each day.
Many years ago (maybe 10), a former coworker/current friend and I made ourselves come up with five happy thoughts each day. I think we tired of that after a couple of days, or maybe we just ended up being redundant, so we stopped. But the concept is a good one. In fact, most days I try to think of all the good I have in my life, even when I feel down. When I go to sleep each night, unless I fall asleep as soon as I turn out the lights (which sometimes happens) or unless I have some heavy worries on my mind, I make it a point to thank God for all He has given me. But even if you are not religious, surely you can find something positive.
This week, I was rejected for that job I interviewed for two weeks ago. Sure, that was a letdown, but looking on the bright side, I can tell myself the pay was going to be low and once Jordan was off for the summer, I would not have much left after paying for child care.
Today I received my long-awaited letter from Geico. Remember that fun power surge my neighborhood had Christmas Day 2009? Geico finally received everyone's information and they are ready to dole out the prorated money. Our damages were about $525. We will end up with $40 after we jump through another hoop or two. It is a paltry amount, but we paid for everything over a year ago, so I have to look at it as found money.
Another sub at school is called in to sub more than I am, and I cannot seem to get a straight answer as to why. But because she, not I, got the nod today, I was able to meet some friends for the Steeler rally downtown, much as these same friends and I did two years ago the last time the Steelers were in the Super Bowl.
And speaking of that, two years ago, these two friends and I were all working at the same place, appreciating having a steady income and flexibility (at least I know I was). Now the three of us (and others) are elsewhere as a result of downsizing. But the good news is that they both work downtown and I was not teaching today, so we were able to spend that hour or so together, cheering along with many others in the frigid temps (but sunny skies).
And, yes, the Super Bowl. It is amazing and exciting that the Steelers are going back to the big dance for the third time this decade. Of course I hope they win. As has been established either here or on Facebook, that victory will make my buying Brian's birthday present super easy. But if the Steelers don't prevail, I can tell myself that they already have won more games than any other team.
But here's hoping that come Sunday night at around 10 p.m., I won't have to look on the bright side for that one...
Here we go!
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