I have spun a dozen stories tonight, and nothing seems to be filling the bill. Sometimes, this can be a little frustrating, especially when the hour is late, and I grow tired.
And then….. the dreaded cranky-blanky covers up the Polly. Yes, some nights I get a little short with it, and end up writing about nonsense. Like… Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack writes things with a blue ink Bic.
You see?
One thing I have been trying to do as of late, is to change my focus when I get the short-fuse-syndrome. I try to choose.
I can choose to be cranky, or angry, or upset,…. or whatever the negative space might be. Orrrrrrr…. I can choose to be at peace. The peace part feels better, I’ll tell you.
And, one of the things which helps to facilitate this is gratitude. Just taking a moment, to give thanks.
To whom? Well… it doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t matter who the gift comes from… it is always good manners to say Thank You. I learned that in kindergarten. (Actually, way before then, I bet.)
Anyway, the benefits of practicing gratitude are pretty dang endless. Giving thanks. You are more likely to experience more positive emotions, and express more compassion and kindness. There are even some studies that suggest you will even sleep better… and have stronger immune systems. All in all, it just makes you feel better. Well, I think so, at least.
But the benefits aren’t the real reason to do it. The real reason is simply to be a deferential human being, in our little place in the Universe.
So. The bottom line is this. I can’t come up with a single thing to write about tonight. And I am grateful for that.
