I found myself wishing a bad episode away yesterday, and yet, I realized that one bad episode is typically replaced by another. That sounds far worse than the situation is as typically in life while bad events are occurring there are parallel happy, joyful events too. Rarely has there been simply a singular bad episode without the good, and in my life, I would say the good has far outpaced the bad. I've been fortunate in that way.
Yet, getting back to the bad episode that I was wishing away, an episode that found its way into my dreams as well last night, and an episode mimicked in a movie I just watched too, the truth of the matter is that it's an episode out of my control and one I can't wish away--that episode has a life of its own. So how do I make peace with it--what can I do? I thought about this in light of other harsh chapters in life and recognized that it's the little things that bring light to onerous situations out of our control. We have to focus on what we can do.
What kinds of little things bring the warmth, cheer, joy, peace, and happiness in light of tough circumstances? We just spent a couple of years doing that as we lived during the heavy COVID limitations, illness, fear, and change. We found lots of light in the darkness.
I will do the same in light of this episode and include actions like these:
- show lots of gratitude
- brighten up the surroundings with flowers, decorations, photos
- keep the conversation upbeat, positive
- find a way to include nature with walks, rides or small adventures
- music always helps
- good, nutritious food
- comfort that leads to good sleeps and relaxing moments
- share the good news
- limit the bad news on television and elsewhere
- set the stage for happiness and joy as much as possible
- a planned, future adventure or event