Sure, things could always be better. But they could also be worse. And things could always be worse. But they could also be better. I am either a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic. Hoping to encourage improvement where I think it is needed, I criticize what I consider to be bad things, bringing attention to the positive through awareness of the negative.
But now I’d like to set aside all the bad things, and offer tribute to the good things. When so many things seem to go wrong, it’s easy to dwell on that and neglect all the things that go right.
Most of us tend to keep quiet when things are acceptable, and speak out when they are unacceptable to us. We are often quick and plentiful with the complaints, yet slow and restrained with the compliments. The general assumption is that if no dissatisfaction or discontent is mentioned, then everything is fine and nothing is wrong.
Silence is consent, implying and inferring approval, or no contest. If we like how things are, we usually take little or no notice and make little or no comment, continuing smoothly on our ways. If we do not like how things are they stand out, becoming more apparent, because they are disturbing, discordant and disruptive.
Concentrating on the negative at the expense of the positive gives the negative too much power, and the positive not enough power in our lives. It’s a matter of perspective and focus. Remember that for every bad, there is good. The good and bad are only the same thing perceived from different angles. The ordinary, too, may be or become extraordinary, if you look at it just so.
Maybe you could perform such miracles as the musical group “Eisley” beautifully proclaims and wake the dawn, see horses growing out the lawn, or glimpse a bag with butterfly wings. Every moment is an opportunity to witness and cherish miracles.
Indeed, to borrow from the Satchmo --- Louie Armstrong, “What a wonderful world”. Behold! Dare to experience the awe and mystery and wonder of your reality, your existence… both in the simple and complex, sublime and common. Allow yourself the precious thrill and pleasure of being amazed.
No matter how bad it gets, there are always good things to be happy about, things to enjoy, things to live for.
Why wait for Thanksgiving to express and celebrate our appreciation and gratitude for the good things in our lives? Life is too long and too short to spend it being miserable.
