I’ve been thinking a lot about my reactions in the last few days. Plenty has happened to tick me off, and it’s so hard not to fire off an angry email or leave a leaden comment. But I’m taking my own advice to turn negativity on its head—and I feel lighter, less burdened. Dare I say “happy"?
Your nix on negativity for February reminded me of Milly Wohler, a wonderful person and editor. Milly once told a few of us that she tried to say or do something positive every day. This was to counter the many complaints we heard daily at the paper. It was difficult at first; we had to remind ourselves. It has become a habit and is pretty easy. If I drive through Starbucks, the cashier tells me to have a good day. I respond, "You just made it one." Yes, I get a look, and then a smile, as they realize what I said, and then a thank you from them. I offer verbal "gold stars" to people who show up at water aerobics (the ones who come infrequently), or people at the genealogy library when they make a new find. As my mother said, it doesn't cost anything extra to be nice.
This is a wonderful “edition,” Fran! I particularly like the part about letting go of some lifelong “grudges” about the universe and directing that energy towards more fulfilling things!
As I'm wading through the doldrums of winter, I really appreciate your reminders to be grateful and will attempt to follow your resolutions for February and the rest of the year.
Here’s one. A once-popular dog name from my mom’s era: Towser.
Also loved the list of offensive annoyances. Delightfully snarky. And as another recovering editor, I appreciate the nudge to become less critical. I do find that in retirement it is easier to let some stuff go.
Wow, April, you said it.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my reactions in the last few days. Plenty has happened to tick me off, and it’s so hard not to fire off an angry email or leave a leaden comment. But I’m taking my own advice to turn negativity on its head—and I feel lighter, less burdened. Dare I say “happy"?
Thanks! I’ll add it.
(this is in response to Bill MacKenzie’s comment.)
Another list
DWEEBY NAMES
Dwayne
Dwight
Duane
Doris
Bertha
Brunhilde
Sniveley
Cecil
Farnsworth
Your nix on negativity for February reminded me of Milly Wohler, a wonderful person and editor. Milly once told a few of us that she tried to say or do something positive every day. This was to counter the many complaints we heard daily at the paper. It was difficult at first; we had to remind ourselves. It has become a habit and is pretty easy. If I drive through Starbucks, the cashier tells me to have a good day. I respond, "You just made it one." Yes, I get a look, and then a smile, as they realize what I said, and then a thank you from them. I offer verbal "gold stars" to people who show up at water aerobics (the ones who come infrequently), or people at the genealogy library when they make a new find. As my mother said, it doesn't cost anything extra to be nice.
Thanks for another edition of The Weekly Wisdom.
New girl's name in my extended family: Parker
This is a wonderful “edition,” Fran! I particularly like the part about letting go of some lifelong “grudges” about the universe and directing that energy towards more fulfilling things!
As I'm wading through the doldrums of winter, I really appreciate your reminders to be grateful and will attempt to follow your resolutions for February and the rest of the year.
Thank you.
Here’s one. A once-popular dog name from my mom’s era: Towser.
Also loved the list of offensive annoyances. Delightfully snarky. And as another recovering editor, I appreciate the nudge to become less critical. I do find that in retirement it is easier to let some stuff go.
I appreciate your comments!
And I’ll add Towser. For some odd reason, the name reminds me of the actor Leo G. Carroll. Maybe because he had a doglike face.