Choosing Joy
M, who blogs at Mental Multivitamin, has a wonderful, thought-provoking entry about choosing a positive focus. She avoids the usual saccharine sentiments. Her entry brought Denis Leary’s pithy quote to mind: “Life sucks. Get a helmet.” I was all the more impressed when I read his wife’s book, and learned he wrote that after the extremely premature birth of his first son. Life is hard; the key is not to get mired in ruts, and most certainly not to decorate them.
Thanks, M., for the always helpful reminder that perception is a variable thing. In honor of that, I wanted to say a quick thanks for a handful of things that make the rough stuff more surmountable. In no particular order, a list of 10 (that goes to 11):
1. My husband, who makes me a kick-ass cappuccino almost every morning, and who empties the dishwasher before I get up, so I don’t have to.
2. My friends, new and old, virtual and non-, who are supportive and generous.
3. My family, who I appreciate more, and more of whom I appreciate, as I grow older.
4. Olay Regenerist products.
5. Maybelline’s Define a Lash mascara. The pretty green tube houses a great, everyday product.
6. Sonia Kashuk eyeliners and lipstick. Good quality and colors, cheap!
7. The Loft Literary Center. I wouldn’t be a writer without it.
8. My sons. By turns maddening and inspiring. Oh, how they make me learn. I’m glad for that, even though sometimes growth=pain.
9. Good books, television and movies.
10. My public library.
11. My grocery cooperative.