By Stacy Turner

As the year ends, I’ve been making a conscious effort to slow down and notice.  Taking time to be outside, I’ve noticed the subtle changes.  The smell of the newly fallen autumn leaves, the organized chaos of a flock of starlings as the multitude move together like a current through the air, the warm sunshine on my face.  More days pass by as leaves blanket the ground to prepare for the cold weather ahead.  There’s more dark nighttime, providing a better view of the stars.  In the early morning hours, light illuminates bare trees in golds and pinks.  Each day is different, with its mix of sunshine or clouds, frost or snowflakes.  When viewed with fresh eyes, each day we’re given is a gift.  That’s precisely why some wise soul called it the present. 

With a little thought, it doesn’t take much effort to incorporate little pockets of time to appreciate the beauty around us.  It can be as simple as bundling up to drink a morning coffee or tea on the porch, fingers wrapped around the soothing warmth. Or taking a quick walk outside later to clear your head after a long day. These little breaks don’t take a huge amount of time and can be squeezed into even the most hectic of days. And they can help recharge your battery, giving you the energy to tackle the rest of your day. 

Being outside may not fix a problem you’ve been dealing with but taking a break from it may help provide a different perspective.  Sometimes it’s helpful to talk through it with someone you trust. Talking about problems with people you trust is necessary and helpful.  But studies have shown that the process of hanging on to and continually venting about the same issues or problems again and again may only serve to internalize those "poor me" feelings.  That negativity running on a continuous loop in our heads can poison the way we see life. 

Studies have shown that our minds seek out what we tell them is important.  That’s why when you’ve purchased a car of a certain make or model, suddenly you see them everywhere.  Basically, the brain is wired to look for what we tell it to see.  If I continue to complain about that negative situation or person my brain will seek out evidence to support those negative thoughts and feelings, and to ignore anything that doesn’t support those pitiful views.  In the process, my brain won’t notice the positive things.  Unless I decide to make a change in what I decide is important.

It’s suggested that we seek out and notice the positive experiences in our days no matter how small, instead of obsessing about the things that didn’t go our way.  Instead of keeping a running list of what went wrong, why not start a list of what went right?  To help remind myself, I started a note in my phone entitled, “Good Things Are Always Happening to Me.” 

Each time I experience something that makes me feel good or brings me peace, I add it to my list.  It seemed a little silly at first, but like any new practice, it soon became a habit.  And eventually, scrolling through the list, those little moments of joy spread out like bright stars across a clear night sky, making me look up in awe and wonder.  This simple practice has made a big difference in the short time I’ve been doing it.  I encourage you to give it a try; I’d love to hear if it does the same for you.

~Photo: Adobe Stock / By may1985