There are good things all around us, everyday, if we simply choose to see them. Choosing to see the good is an exercise and learned habit. You have to be intentional about changing your perspective and looking for the positive things that bring you joy. Here are five good things that I saw this week.
Good Thing #1:Pumpkin Spice Lattes
Finally! Bring back all the pumpkin spice treats, especially the pumpkin spice coffee drinks! I had my first pumpkin spice latte of the season and it was worth the wait. Are you looking for something good this week? Treat yourself to a cup of warm happiness and savor the season.
Good Thing #2:Crisp Autumn Air
Now, I realize that as I write this, some parts of the country are experiencing a record heat wave (I’m looking at you California). Some other parts are even experiencing their first snow accumulation! But here in the upper Midwest we are experiencing the crisp autumn air and break from humidity that we’ve been waiting for. I love the changing seasons and wouldn’t want to live without them (although I could live without the below zero temps).
This week we had a long holiday weekend. I spent one day soaking the up the last days of summer by swimming and boating on our lake. The next day I was dressed in warm fall clothes talking football inside. It’s a fun time of year and I love the mental transition that floats in on the autumn breeze.
Good Thing #3:Fall Decorations
In keeping with all the good I see at fall’s arrival, I’m so excited for fall decorations! It might be the colors of my house that compliment the neutrals and textures of this season, but I like my home most when it is decorated for fall. I love the warmth and coziness that fall decorations add.
This week I had so much fun shopping for new fall décor items, seeing them displayed in the stores and lighting my first fall candles. To me this is a season that begs for warm family dinners, open windows, blankets on the couch and warm drinks in hand. Bring on fall!
Good Thing #4:Having Family Close
As we just finished the long Labor Day weekend, I was struck by how fortunate I am to have family that lives so close by. We live close to both sides of our extended families and, over the past few years, siblings and their families have also moved close. What this means is that over the long weekend we were able to spend a summer day at the lake with my parents, a day at my brother’s house for his daughter’s first birthday and have my husband’s family over for dinner and a football party. Cousins get to play together, teenage kids have the valuable time to connect with adults and grandparents in their lives and we have the opportunity to share life with the people we love the most.
I grew up with extended family living far enough away that a visit involved a plane ride or a long road trip. I got to see my cousins and grandparents once a year. Because I grew up with that distance, I know how special it is to have family close. This week, especially, I’ve enjoyed and appreciated the circumstance we find ourselves in with family so nearby.
Good Thing #5: Simple Joy of Children
This week we celebrated our niece’s first birthday. The party was everything a one-year-old party should be…family, presents, lunch and cake, all squished between naptimes. I sat back and watched her interact with her cousins and all the extra faces in her house. I watched her open colorful presents and dig her face into a cake covered in frosting. We engaged with her, passed her around and smiled so big at cute facial gesture she made.
What struck me while I was watching her was the pure and simple joy that she had. Her face did not betray her excitement at the colorful bow on her gift or the song that played from her new toy. It was an uncomplicated happiness. There is something about the simple joy of children that causes us to slow down and simplify our happiness as well. We realize that it is the small things like a smile, a song or something pretty that can light a spark inside us.
Challenge for this week:
Can you list five things that brought you joy this week? If you can think of five ways that you choose to see good, leave me a note in the “Your Perspective” section – I’d love to hear from you!