I am always happy when I see a ‘Life is Good’ store. You may have seen these shops. They are filled with brightly coloured T-shirts and caps with whimsical sayings and funky designs. I buy gifts for my husband and my grandchildren and I leave feeling hopeful and happy. Surely this is a sign that there is positive energy in the world, even if it is a retail marketing scheme.
I wonder, is it possible that I can experience this energy in the rest of my life? I want to believe that there is an abundance of goodness in the world and not just tragedy and disasters.
I believe that I am responsible for my experiences in life. So, I start to explore the idea of finding times when this slogan, ‘Life is Good’ really is true.
Here are the steps I take on my quest to be a ‘sleuth for goodness’.
I keep my eyes open for what is going well.
Recently I saw a young man sitting at a street corner. His cardboard hand-written sign had one word: Hungry.
Now you might think, ‘That’s not a sign of goodness!’ And, you would be right. I felt sad and I wondered what his story was. And, I confess that I stayed where I was at my patio breakfast table.
A man came by, chatted with the young man and left. Soon, he returned with sandwiches and drinks for two. He sat down on the sidewalk and they ate together. I was touched and moved by this act of kindness. This was an example of respectfully sharing food and companionship. Goodness showed up unexpectedly that day.
I slow down.
I find it easy to miss the clues for goodness in my life. I have a schedule to keep. I am on a mission with little extra time. Who has time for a chat with the neighbour? To take a leisurely stroll after dinner and notice the spring flowers and freshly planted gardens? I am choosing to create time for these things. I find that nature has an abundance of lessons for me about goodness. And, taking the time to phone my aging parents provides another chance to see the way my father patiently cares for my mother. Truly a sign of goodness in the world!
I practice receiving from others.
I have trouble with this one. I am a helper from way back. It is one thing for me to help others. And, receiving isn’t my thing. I am independent and can manage just fine, thank you.
The thing is, with this attitude, I miss out on a lot of goodness. I am learning to be on the receiving end of an interaction. Something as simple as waiting for someone who offers to open a door for me, has been a sign of goodness in my life. I accept the gift of coffee from my friend. I say a simple thank you when I get a compliment, instead of minimizing the comment.
What I am noticing is that others love to give! My receiving brings them joy. And, it creates an connection between us, that raises our energy for the good.
I expect that goodness is waiting to show up.
I start my day imagining the goodness I will experience. This starts with my attitude, so I breathe deeply and choose to be a positive force in my life. I have been amazed at what happens. Because I am relaxed and happy, circumstances seem to flow effortlessly.
This doesn’t mean that upsets never happen. Of course they do. A traffic jam. A chip on my windshield from a passing gravel truck. Do I like this? Not at all. And, more often than not, I am able to remain calm and patient. I trust that all is as it should be, and my life is good.
I imagine others’ positive intent.
This has been a game changer for me. There are times I am frustrated by another person’s actions. Or lack of action! I can become judgmental and rude in a flash. Here is what I aim to do instead.
I ask myself, ‘I wonder what might be behind their behaviour?’ What is motivating them? Chances are they have a good reason for how they show up. Most people are doing the best they can. I find that I am more patient and kind as I remember this. Who knows what else is going on in their lives? Even if their actions don’t change, my attitude does. And, just maybe, my energy adds a dash of goodness to their world.
I focus on what is going well.
Here is how this works. I love spending time with my grandchildren. When they are all together, feelings can run high. Sharing toys or that last cookie is a challenge for young children. What I have started doing is look for times when they are playing happily together. Perhaps an older child helps a younger cousin get on the swing at the playground. Or, a special toy is shared without complaint. When I see that, I describe what I see and thank them for their kindness. I am specific and in the moment. I have noticed an increase in sharing and fun times when I do this.
This works with all ages! I have found that most people want to contribute to a happy environment. Whether this is at work, in the family or with neighbours, an emphasis on getting more of what is working well, is a way to increase productivity and fun. For me, this is a sign of goodness in life!
I wonder how you view this idea of being a ‘sleuth for goodness’ in life. I welcome your thoughts and reflections. Share a story in the comments or email me to tell me how you have found goodness in your life.
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