It’s Friday—the end of a week in which there seems to have been doom and gloom at every turn. This morning as I was driving to work it seemed to hit me like a ton of bricks.
On my drive into work I like to listen to a program on CBC Radio One called The Story From Here. It broadcasts stories about everyday lives of Canadians from all over the country and most of the time the stories are inspiring and uplifting. This morning though, I was a bit later leaving home, and the news was on instead. I listened for a while until I couldn’t take it anymore and switched to NPR. Bad decision—the news on NPR was even worse.
So, I clicked off the radio and drove in silence the rest of the way.
I arrived at the office feeling down in the dumps, telling myself that my attitude was my own choice and I could choose how to experience the day. Despite things that are happening that I find to be extremely distasteful I can still make a choice about my attitude. The self talk continued as I walked from my car toward the office.
Then I fell into step with a man who works in a different department. We chatted for only a few minutes; he told me of an experience he had earlier in the week and we both chuckled over it. That brief moment of laughter lifted me out of my funk and I arrived in my office, if not overjoyed to be there, not completely dreading the day ahead.
Sometimes keeping our eyes open for brief moments of happiness makes all the difference.
Dear Linda, thank you heaps and hugs for reminding me today that if we listen well we can hear good news that will enlighten our day. We do I think come across angels daily. People who touch our lives with graciousness and goodness. It makes for wholeness.
Peace.
We chose to not watch the news for a long time when my husband was unemployed. We needed to keep our spirits up and look for the good around us. It helps!
Hi Linda! I feel like it’s been many moons since I visited here! Great post. It really doesn’t take a lot to help lift others moods, or take the mood down either. At our hospital we are encouraged to smile at every person we pass in the hall, cafeteria, pts. rooms, etc…you’d be amazed at the reactions you get..mostly really good! I’ve been doing something different on my way to work each day. I turn off the radio and pray out loud the whole way. I find these little conversations with God do a lot to help my attitude! Have a great weekend!
Great and timely post, Linda! The mute button on our TV remote is the first to wear free of its print. If we don’t like the tone of a news item, we mute it. Sadly, car radios don’t have mutes! I’ve told my engineer/inventor husband he should design one. Love what you said about attitude being our own choice and the note of laughter that brought you out of your funk. Hope your weekend is lighter, happier, and brighter.
Blessings!
Your point about those brief glimpses of positive light is so true. I’m a fan of talk radio and have it on a lot, but lately I find myself having to switch it off because it gets to repetitiously negative and becomes very oppressive on my psyche. Nothing like a nice dose of good classical music to lift me up.
Lee
A Faraway View
There are some great shows on the CBC! But I’ve had to turn the news off a couple of times this week. You’re right, sometimes we have to search for the good.