Three good things

If you’re on social media, have you noticed the difference?

I mean, it’s almost calm on my feed. I’m back to seeing posts of animals hugging, humorous signs, positive memes, and inspirational images. Almost totally gone are the bomb-throwers, trolls, and constant political arguments (of which I’ll admit, I participated at times). I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s “polite;” that’s too much to hope for. But at least I don’t feel like it’s dark, dank, graffiti-covered, bathroom in an off-the-majorhighway gas station.

I still haven’t totally accepted this “newer normal” where I can let down my guard, breathe again, and feel that — although there’s a long way to go — we are on the road to a better place. Call it PTSD, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I noticed this most recently in how I approach gratitude.

Firstly, I find it important to remind you that I espouse that one can never be too grateful. In my first book, “The Shade of a Tree is the Very Best Shade There Is,” a series of quick thoughts to inspire, I wrote, “Give thanks whenever you can — especially when it doesn’t seem like there’s anything to be grateful for.” I believe that. I like to feel grateful; it releases a burden from one’s soul and lightens the load of life.

So, I was really startled by what I discovered about me.

I journal regularly, probably several times a day on anything from quick thoughts, to what I consider important quotations, to long diatribes about life, spirituality, family, relationships — you name it. (I know what you’re thinking: “You? Scott? Long diatribes? Really? I can’t believe it!”)

Anyway, seriously though, since my journal is electronic and lives on my computer as well as my iphone, ipad, and Apple Watch; I’ve programmed it to put up reminders twice a day asking me to record “Three Good Things.” into a journal specifically designed for said collections of “Three Good Things.” Oft times — since I seem to work morning to night — the pop-up dialog box interrupts my workflow on my computer. I get annoyed. I dismiss it.

Obviously then, I don’t record my “Three Good Things,” being in such a hurry to get back to the humdrum, nose to the grindstone, task in front of me.

Then it dawned on me. Apparently, I’ve become so conditioned to focus on everything else swirling about in the maelstrom of my life, that when an opportunity to focus on the positives raises itself above the horizon, I power through it with what I was doing and don’t take time to stop, even once or twice a day, to pay attention to the “good things.” Moreover, if we are to be judged by our actions rather than our words, it says multi