Lately I have found myself trying to change my outlook on certain parts of my life in an attempt to be more positive. It is a lot easier to be a Mr. Grumpy Gills than it is to be Little Miss Sunshine, but I've found that easy doesn't equate to happy. Below are a few recent scenarios and how the smallest change of your perspective can make the smallest thing turn into the greatest.
"Ugh I have to wake up at 7am on a Saturday, what a waste of a weekend"
One of my guilty pleasures in life is sleeping in until 9am on the weekends, I feel so free. This last Saturday though I had to wake up early for an event I signed up for. Sure, it would be easy to come up with a half assed excuse, but why not just change your perspective about it?
Turns out, I was waking up to participate in a Donate Life walk with my friend Terri and her family. Terri lost her brother tragically when I was a senior in high school and his organs were donated to those who needed them. They remember him by participating in this walk and supporting a great organization that helps pay it forward with the gift of life. The Shafers basically raised me in high school and college and Im fairly certain I left an imprint of my body on their couch with all the sleepovers I had there. Was I really going to skip out on this event so I could get two more hours of sleep?? HECK NO. I went and it was amazing, Im so glad I was able to participate.
"Another bachelorette party, this is going to be lame"
I will be the first to admit, I am not a fan of bachelorette parties. Let me rephrase so I dont sound like a bitch: I hate CLICHE bachelorette parties (cue penis straws and wearing thongs outside your pants because its funny!). I was invited to one on Saturday and temptation was behind me all day trying to get me to cancel and spend the night on the couch with a bottle or Roscato and the first season of the Golden Girls. Looks like its time to change my perspective again...
The party was for my friend Margaret, who is getting married in Vegas around Christmas. Her friend Amanda planned the party and went to a lot of work to get everything ordered and reserved for the big night. Lucky for women all over the world, Margaret is not into the penis decor or going to a gay club to dance until there are blisters on your feet. Instead we had pizza and went to a karaoke bar. I can honestly say it was one of the better bachelorette parties I have ever been to before. It was laid back, but still decorated and fun. There were beers to be drank and shots to be taken and more importantly, songs to be sung. Im glad I went so I could help Margaret celebrate a huge milestone in her life and that I was able to catch up with some pretty cool chicks.
"I have to clean my room, uuuuuuuugh"
Cleaning is not fun, not sure I know many people who disagree with that. Its so much easier to let dust settle and windows get smudged, but deep down it eats away at your tiny heart. Laying in bed watching youtube clips of the latest tough mudder race is WAY better than folding and putting away my clothes right? Ok fine, time to change my perspective.
I cleaned part of my room the other day and ended up finding some pictures of my mom that I had tucked away the last time I was in a hurry to clean everything up. It brought back great memories and I had to remind myself that if I hadnt decided to clean I may not have found those pictures. Plus there was a small layer or fur growing on my carpet from weeks of neglect, I really need to get better at that.
So there you have it: change your mind, change your attitude. To apply our lesson today, one might say Im not ending this blog entry, but rather taking a break until a new idea pops into my head.
