Curious? I would be too.
Pretty simple, really. One positive thought every day for a year.
(And I promise that if you read through to the bottom of this page you'll get a good laugh.)
Where did I get the idea?
While thinking about what I should do with my Twitter account I realized that I needed to do something to focus on the positive. And so, this blog and accompanying Twitter account were born.
Although strangely, not in the shower. I seem to do my best thinking there, even at 6 am, which is a miracle since I'm a night owl. Amazingly this idea came to me late at night.
Why?
Everyone needs positive thinking in their lives. Maybe some of us more than others. But here are some of the reasons why I've started this project.
Reason #1
I'm originally from the Canadian province of Saskatchewan (SK) which is sometimes known as 'next year country'. A large percentage of the province's economy is still dependent on one completely unpredictable factor: the weather. Somehow, no matter how awful the weather, the growing season, or the impact on the crops, lakes, forests, etc., we're resilient believing that next year will be better. If you can think that while staring out the window on a January day when it is -42 degrees Celcius how can that not be considered an amazing attitude? How could I turn my back on that kind of tradition?
Reason #2
I have a stressful job. I'm a lawyer. (insert your favourite lawyer joke here) But I do something really different and, honestly, truly stressful: I work on historic child abuse cases, physical and se.xual. Some days are really difficult. I read and hear information on a daily basis that most people can't imagine. Some days I get frustrated. Some days I cry. How could I not?
But some days I really, really like my job. It sounds ridiculously strange but here is why. The process I'm involved in is reconciliatory and if I can in any small way help that person to feel better about him/herself, more positive about their day or life, or relieved for finally being able to share their story in a safe and respectful way, then I've done my job. I cannot forget what I've read or what I've heard. But maybe it isn't such a bad thing to carry these stories with me. It reminds me of how very lucky I am. And starting this project can only help remind me of my wonderful life when I'm feeling stressed by my job.
Reason #3
The third reason, and the true impetus, for this project is another project I'm working on at the moment: becoming a mother. Unfortunately, I need a little extra help from medical professionals. Luckily for me I happen to have a very easily treatable issue. But it still impacts my daily life.
I thought I might be able to escape the craziness of what we like to call the 2 week wait (2ww). Nope. Once you're in that phase you get totally sucked in. And when you get a negative test result ... well, I can't really describe that one. If you've been there you'll know what I'm talking about. I decided that I need something positive to focus on, I can look forward to, plan to do every single day. I must keep myself focused on the positive to keep some level of sanity through this process. Even on the days when nothing seems to go right, those days we consider really, truly crappy, I have to be able to find or think of something positive and focus on that. I cannot guarantee that I will actually feel happy on those days I get negative test results but by doing a public project I'm hoping to be able to carry myself through those difficult times and maybe even get to a point when I can think positively without struggling. It's worth a try, right?
P.S. I actually like winter, including those really cold, sunny days when the snow crunches under your feet and your eyelashes get frosted up from your breath.
Isn't this a gratitude journal?
Maybe. Maybe not. You decide for yourself. But I don't call it that.
Aren't some of the things you write about just stuff you like?
Sometimes. But there are all sorts of things that comprise my life and make it great. Take my cat. She makes me laugh every single day with her crazy feline antics. Why wouldn't I blog or tweet about her? And voting? I love that I live in a country where I can vote without fear of reprisal, attack, or death. Two totally different things but both reasons why I love my life.
Hmmm, that voting thing will definitely become a blog post and tweet in the future.
What can I expect from this project?
Obviously, lots of thoughts from me. ;-) But here is some of what you can anticipate:
- My personal thoughts, but hopefully not TMI, i.e. too much information ;-)
- If you know me, things you didn't previously know
- Things that may surprise you
- Things that you already know
- Things that are funny
- Things that are serious
- Deeply disguised political commentary
- Thinly veiled political commentary
- Outright political commentary (can you sense a theme?)
- And many other things
Don't you ever complain?
Yes. Of course. I'm human ... last time I checked. I still haven't been turned into a vampire or a werewolf. Or anything else superhuman, much to my niece's chagrin. See Reason Why I Love My Life #3.
But I figure that there is at least one thing a day, or at least one thing I can think of every day, that reminds me of the great life that I have or how lucky I am. That's the point of this project.
