A Simple & Quirky Way to Feeling Better Every Day
Would you value discovering a way to move instantly from an
anxious or worried space into a smiling, much happier, feeling better and better
sort of space? I learned a trick to do that by accident recently that you can
put into place as an immediate perk-up strategy.
Here’s the story:
Today I saw a double decker shopping cart, a lusty blue one, across the street from Lowe’s on Columbus. I pointed and with both loudness and glee announced to Samuel, “Shopping Cart!”
He laughed. Yes, he laughed at me.
“You sure do love shopping carts, Mommy.”
It’s a strange thing: quirky, I suppose, started by the discovery of what I called “a shopping cart convention” in an empty lot on the way to Emma’s high school. Since then, I have been alert to any unique arrangements of shopping carts in unexpected places. Now, the one across the street from Lowe’s was only exciting because I have not photographed one of that particular style yet.
I also photograph familiar images: sunrises and sunsets, birthday parties, children, but I find the most joy in discovering a fascination of some object or scenario that at first only seems to thrill me – which is all that matters in the moment of creativity. Then I discover in the sharing, other people also enjoy the image, other people find it fascinating. I’m not the only one who oooos and ahhhhs at the coincidental modern assemblage of shopping carts outside of the parking lot where they are supposed to live.
When Katherine was a baby, the fixation for many was cows: cow figurines, cow kitchen decorations, cow this and cow that. Later, it became sunflowers everywhere. Recently I have seen more chickens than I care to see. Ever. Again.
My love for cows during Kathie’s babydom had her name every large four legged animals “moos” and even her pillow pet today – at age twenty-one – is a cow.
This quirky love actually lifted me up this past week when I
was feeling low. I would see a random shopping cart at a random, unexpected
place and I would perk up. Insta-happy. If my mind veered away into
sad-or-worried-or-fretful, it was as if a shopping cart angel would roll a cart
out someplace for me to take note and smile.
Who would ever describe a shopping cart as “lusty” besides me?
Just choose a random something that catches your eye – you may even choose chickens if you like – and be aware to them when they pop into any of your senses: your view, your hearing, your smell, your touch – you know the drill.
Allow that momentary delight to flood your brain and wash away the other stuff that doesn’t serve you.
Two things will happen: you will suddenly feel better AND you will be able to steer yourself more easily toward a better day overall.
See? There is a reason for quirky shopping cart love.
Feeling better and better and better is one of the best reasons of all.
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