“Every day we get a fresh chance to live the way we want. We get a chance to do one amazing thing, one scary thing, one difficult thing, one beautiful thing. We get a chance to make a difference.”

– John Kenney, Truth In Advertising

Introduction: Let me first say that I am not one of those people who pretends everything is perfect for the sake of social media. Though I try to be positive, I do not always succeed. I’m a standard-issue, smart-assed, happily-married, lesbian native New Yorker, capable of great joy and kindness when the spirit moves me, but heaven help you if you are walking too slowly in front of me when I’m commuting. I look for the silver lining in difficult situations, and I make a conscious effort to see the good before the bad, but if you are willfully ignorant or mean, we are not going to be friends. I choose my tribe like this: if you are funny (or capable of appreciating funny in others), smart, kind to the people in your life, and judgmental ONLY of un-funny, unkind, small-minded, mean-spirited people, we’ll do just fine.

The Problem: 2012 and 2013 really had it in for me. After a string of serious personal setbacks and losses resulting in some major health problems (and a lot of sadness), my doctor told me to reduce my stress. How do doctors make that sound so easy?  I had a stressful job in a stressful city in a stressful industry. I am aware none of this makes me special. However, I needed my stressful job. You know, to eat and stuff. I asked the doc, “Are you going to send me a check every month, or am I moving into your guest room?” “Ha-ha!” quoth he, as he backed out of the room. So no help there.

The Challenge: How was I supposed to reduce stress while still surrounded by the same stressors?  I needed a plan. I did some research, asked around. Yoga? I could maybe manage that once or twice a week, but I needed a daily solution. Breathing exercises? Handy during a panic attack, but not exactly life-changing. Medication? I try to resist such things unless I really need them. Liquor? Infinitely more appealing, but would eventually cause health problems of its own.  Also, not a great day-time solution, since I no longer work in radio or advertising.  I was at a loss. Then I read the John Kenney novel, Truth in Advertising, and I got The Big Idea.

The Light Bulb: In the novel, two characters call each other daily to report the one scary thing, one difficult thing, one amazing thing, and one beautiful thing. Everyone has daily scary and difficult things, so I didn’t think anyone needed to hear about mine. However, the beautiful and amazing things really stuck with me. I began to wonder what would happen if I committed to spend every day looking for at least one beautiful thing? Would that change the way I looked at the world?  I tried it, and it did.

“Happiness is like an orgasm. If you think too much about it, it goes away.”  -Tim Minchin

The Results: I am changed for the better. The quest for beauty has been infinitely better for my state of mind and my blood pressure than the parade of worst-case scenarios that used to play on a loop in my head.  And most days, I find my stress level is more manageable. There’s something profoundly soothing about looking for beauty (and finding it).  Plus, now I have an excuse to haunt Etsy, and to troll the internet for fantastic stuff like bad-ass bionic prosthetics, heartfelt artworks, trippy, trippy GIFs, stunning fashions, and creative geniuses! And sometimes, I am moved to tell my favorite stories or talk about my favorite people.

The Caveat: Of course I am acutely aware that the ability to look on the bright side is a privilege. I have a roof over my head and enough to eat and a stable job and lots of love in my life. I know how lucky I am to enjoy those things, and I try not to take them for granted. For those of you who struggle with those things, I wish you good luck and better days.

The Conclusion: I think everyone should try it. It costs nothing, doesn’t take up any time (unless you write a daily blog), and doesn’t require anything of you except that you open your eyes to the beauty already in your life. Give it a shot. You might even learn something important about yourself in the process.

Donna

“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.” -Herman Melville, Moby Dick

Post Script: I’ve been at this for 12+ years without missing a day! Go check out my 6th anniversary post, my 1,000th post, and my 100-day post for more on how my OBT has affected me and my 3rd blogiversary and my 150th and 200th Etsomnia™ posts for a few of my favorite things!

“I hate writing. I love having written.” – Dorothy Parker

Post-Post-Script and Confession: When I’m having a bad day or I’m worrying that my next post isn’t good enough (as much as I love it, Etsomnia™ sometimes give me a case of the yips), I come back here and read the comments people have made, and it gives me the boost I need to keep going. So keep those cards and letters coming!