Doing the Five-Minute Journal has truly helped re-tint the lens through which I view the word. Every day (at least weekdays), I write 3 Amazing Things that happened during that day. Having done this for close to a year, it’s beginning to become automatic. Here are 10 awesome moments of today:
- Riding the St. Charles Streetcar to work
- Listening to the Adagietto from Mahler’s 5th Symphony with my Symphonic Band
- Taking a 10 minute walk in the sunshine in a quiet neighborhood, during a break at work
- Playing When the Saints Go Marching with my 6th graders in the front entrance hallway at the end of the day
- Eating honey-dijon chicken, okra, and sautéed kale for dinner
- Breathing, stretching, and re-centering during an evening yoga class at the New Orleans Boulder Lounge
- Having spontaneous fun conversation with the staff at the New Orleans Boulder Lounge
- Singing at the top of my lungs while driving
- Smell of sweet olive trees upon arriving at my apartment
- My cat Miles greeting me at my car upon arriving at my apartment, then sitting on my lap as I began writing this post
But Joel, there’s so much negativity in the world. You can’t live in the clouds.
First of all, why not? Why not be as happy as humanly possible?
Second, this brings up a deeper concept that’s been ruminating in my mind the last several weeks: generating full personal empowerment, possibility, gratitude, and positive outlook, vs. acknowledging difficult realities.
How am I helping myself or the world by latching onto negative thoughts and situations? If I feel guilty or depressed or worried, and keep myself close to tragic realities, circumstances, and fears, would it help?
On the other hand, just by continually wearing positively-framed glasses, and ignoring or suppressing troubles – I’ll again reference Joy pushing away Sad in Inside Out – you will only prevent sustainability in your optimism.
You can both launch into forward excitement WHILE accepting and connecting to fear/anxiety/confusion-ridden situations in the internal and external worlds.
Ultimately, how will you do what’s in your control and let go of what’s out of your control? There are only 1440 minutes in a day. How will you spend them? With what types of media will you feed your mind?
It is absolutely incredible to be alive (2 min.) Be conscious, and empower yourself.
