The Good Life.

Take a piece of paper and pen.  Draw a line down the middle.  Label one side "Good" and the other side "Bad."  On the "Good" side write down all the things in your life that make you happy.  On the "Bad" side write down all the things in your life that piss you off.  If the good outweighs the bad then you've got a lot to be grateful for and maybe a lot that's been taken for granted.  If the bad outweighs the good, then reevaluate how those things can be shifted around so that you can be a happier person. 

Sound like a juvenile task?  Maybe.  But it could very well be a task that can change your paradigm for the better.  

In the last few months I've noticed that when it comes to saying something good about someone, for example, my husband (for example's sake), it's difficult for me to name specifics.  I would say, "my husband is the best," but seldom elaborated on the why.  On the other hand, when my husband and I got into a spat, all sorts of specifics came spewing out of my mouth on why he wasn't so much "the best" (oh, you know, the usual... lack of help with the laundry, the dishes, my envy that he had time to sit on the couch and watch sports while I juggled pots and pans).  I think everyone benefits from words of affirmation here and there.  Unfortunately I was only affirming possible shortcomings of my spouse.  Love isn't supposed to keep a record of wrongs.

I've been putting a lot of effort into thinking positively about my husband.  And not just him, but people in general.  Let's go back to my earlier stated example, my husband.  Keenan enjoys cooking breakfast.  Of all meals he is most invested in breakfast because it's the jump start to the day.  He knows that I do not share his zeal for early morning tasks, so he will make a HUGE batch of waffles (a little crispy just the way I like them) or hash browns (browned perfectly the way I have to have them) & eggs sunny side up (my preference) so that for that morning, and the morning thereafter... and the morning thereafter... I have at my leisure a fully loaded breakfast in the fridge waiting for me so that I don't have to cook.  

Specific enough?  Yes, my husband is truly my best.

One side "Good" and the other side "Bad."  We always get to choose how we handle ourselves in every given situation.  I choose to handle life by focusing on what is good.

Keenan surprised me with Date Night.  AT&T Park. Row 1; Seat 1.

NOT what Keenan had in mind when he brought his glove.