It seems every person has a few rules to live by, not of the golden rule variety but of the this-works-for-me ilk. Over the years, I’ve become a devotee to the three good things school of thought; that is, not so much about the number three than the belief that if you take note of what you’re appreciative of, you cultivate gratitude and wonder. With each bit of attention paid to the good, your glass tips toward the half-full view, no matter what else is going on.
I notice when I encourage my children to pay attention to what’s good in their lives, they are more content as well.
Note: this is untrue for my 16 year-old between the hours of wake-up and the high school’s far too early start. This is similarly untrue for my nearly nine-year-old between the time he wakes up and the time he climbs onto the R42 bus. It is also true that morning grumpiness about going to school has been a component of my third boy’s life since preschool.
He is, however, pretty comfortable and willing to note three good things. It’s possible in fact that three good things have saved us from half-emptiness.
All of the boys (and girls) in our family would tell you that the first meeting between the males in our household and their newest cousin/nephew was a super good thing. The females had met him before.
You don’t need words really beyond he is so, so very cute. His big brother is too.
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Feminism is for me, a perennially good thing. I loved reading this by The Feminist Breeder stating so perfectly bluntly that if you believe in equality you are a feminist. Thank you for that. There’s nothing like starting the week off with bald truth.
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As I tried to think of a third good thing because I have two on the list: nephews and feminism, I realized three good things is a good thing in itself, which means I’m up to three already.
I’ll add a couple more because I want to. One is my friends’ kids: the babies, oh yes, yes, yes indeed, but in fact, all of them; I love watching them grow up and knowing them and watching my kids’ friendships grow.
I’m still in the yoga groove begun by fulfilling one of my summer wish list items. My pal Avi made a fall wish list. Yes, I’m sorely tempted to make one of my own. Yoga is stretching me out, offering some gentle strength, some moments of rest and I feel like someone or something is soothing my nervous system thrice weekly. That’s probably exactly what is happening. Good thing? Heck yeah.
Lastly, I can’t stop making jam. Although the cupboard is teeming, I can’t help but think it’s remained a very good thing. I posted this photo of my most recent jam and I guess it was so pretty that 35 people liked the image. Making jam must be a good thing, then. My peeps declare this so.
