Look for the Good

I have kept a journal almost daily for the past eight or nine years.  Sometimes I have a lot to share, sometimes a little.  I try to find something I am grateful for to share with each entry.  Last night I was struggling to think of something, anything, to write.  It had been a difficult day: I was tired and not feeling well, we had some plans for the day that fell through, dinner was late, our baby was clingy so I had a hard time getting anything done, I was grouchy.

So I fell back on my old stand-by.  I looked for the good things I did that day and wrote about them.  It went something like this:

Today I hugged and kissed my children and told them I love them.  I hugged and kissed my husband and told him I love him.  I nursed and cared for my baby.  I made black bean burgers and french fries for dinner.  I sat on the couch with my family and watched old episodes of The Lone Ranger.  I took care of our neighbor's chickens.  I cleaned out the tomatoes, peppers and herbs from my garden....

There was a lot of good in my day, but it was overshadowed by the not-so-good until I sought it out.

We know we should be looking for the good in others, but do we remember to look for it in ourselves?  My challenge to you is this: when you have a hard day and need a reminder of the progress you have made and the good you are accomplishing in spite of your imperfections, take a few minutes to notice and write down the good you did that day.  It is there, I promise.

Photo credit: AltonST Photography