Beech Tree News Network

Some days we need to find something to lift us up. After all, life isn’t always easy. Hayley Kiyoko said, “We all want to be loved. We all want to feel accepted. We all want to feel content. And life is hard” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/feel). I’ve heard that we should appreciate what we have. Most days, looking around improves my attitude.

In our region of the world, most of us have more than we truly need. Of course, we all appreciate running water and electricity as well as appliances, HVAC and WIFI that work correctly. One of the simple things that makes me feel better is a comfortable sleeping pillow. Working with plants – inside or outside – improves my attitude, and I like having adequate reading material or watching a good movie. In my experience, it’s generally the little things that improve my day.

Wondering what makes others feel happy, I asked friends and family: 

“Assuming that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe, have food and shelter, and can pay your bills and have living expense money, what is something that makes your life better? This may be a big thing or a little thing (examples: HVAC working correctly or a comfortable sleeping pillow).”

Their responses were:

•AC at home and in my vehicle definitely as well as heat in my home and vehicle. Right now I am thankful for WIFI and the ability to have a good laptop used for my online classes.

•A Hallmark Channel movie and crocheting or working a jigsaw puzzle with nowhere else to be and nothing else on my agenda. HVAC working would be good, too!

•My dogs!

•Feeling loved.

•Travel.

•Nice dependable vehicle with a third row of seating for the room.

•A comfortable mattress!

•Something that makes my life better is having a pool.

•A clean house! I just can’t seem to keep it as clean as I want it! I love sitting and looking around my house when it is spotless.

•Hallmark Channel.

•Peace of mind and heart-felt love.

•That my husband is still my best friend!

•Time spent together with family.

•Pretty weather.

•Having my morning coffee – gets my day started. A routine makes me happy. A routine and everything working….

•I’m going with a reliable car (something I give thanks for often), a cell phone and drive-throughs. And that’s not just fast food drive-through. That also includes pharmacies, banks, and dry cleaners – any window that allows me to drive up to it rather than get my toddler out of her car seat and back in five minutes later.

•My mattress. I struggle with back and hip pain and didn’t sleep well for years. We finally got a memory foam mattress, and I can sleep all night. It makes all the difference!

•Massages and pedicures.

•Four-wheeler.

•All of the apps and information I have at my fingertips on my phone. And my favorite pillow for my neck.

•Google and Jet, my dog.

•Big things: freedom to worship, children, and a career I’m passionate about. Little things: a bubble bath, lemon for my water, and heated seats in my car.

•Mexican food, holding hands in prayer in public before eating, an electric toothbrush and hearing people laugh out loud.

•Good friends, listening to music, clothes that aren’t too tight and laughter (especially from babies).

•Grand babies! Good friends! Gardening!

•My loves: pedicures, Starbucks, and a Sunday nap. But I also love clothes that aren’t too tight and Amazon Prime!

•Coffee, traveling, good friends, heated seats, chiropractor visits, and definitely online shopping!

•Sunsets, cell phone/Internet, and without my pillow and a fan, I would never sleep so they are a must (even when I travel). And definitely Walmart’s grocery pickup service!

•For me, it is community. Community is fluid and changes with different seasons of my life, but that connection to other people and being a part of something bigger than me makes me feel valuable. My communities are and have been my family, my church, my coworkers, my friends, the basketball team, pilot friends, etc. But as an extreme extrovert, being around people, especially when there’s a relationship involved, makes my life so much better.

•Music.

Regina Brett said, “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/feel). In my head, I change the “dress up” to “get dressed,” preferring casual dress – another pleasure to add to my list. Brett encouraged determination and a positive attitude. When I look around, I see things that make my life better and my attitude improves. It’s kind of like counting my blessings.