On The Other Hand

Yesterday I posted a blog about things that I like.  In general, I believe that the more positive thoughts I have, the more positive a life I experience.

For some reason, I have been thinking that today, I need to post a blog about things I don't like.  For a while, it seemed like I was going against my own advice.  If I dwell on the negative won't my life be more negative as a result?

Perhaps.

However, my blog about positive things allowed my to really see how fortunate I am.  Today's blog is to see how petty my grips really are.  I put them down here to let them go, not so I can dwell on them.

Here are the things I want to let go:

Anger at tailgaters

Anger at people the crowd in front of me in lines

Fear of economic insecurity

Anger at political opinions that differ from my own

Anger at organized religions



I think that's about it.  Not too long a list really.  I should add the fact that this list is short to the things on my gratitude list.

Interestingly, all of my bad thoughts have to do with anger and fear while my positive thoughts are of love and happiness.

Interesting but not surprising.

I am going to start a website www.worldgratitudelist.com.  On this sight, people from all over would post their gratitude lists.  They could go back over time and review their old lists and see what others have put down.  I think it will be interesting.

A Change in Perspective

I am sitting here watching MSNBC which is essentially the Anti-Fox News channel.  Where Fox is off the chart to the right, these guys are just as far off on the other side.

So I will leave them to it.  Instead, I want to write about the things I like.

I like chocolate ice cream that has been left untouched, in the bowl until it is like a lumpy milk shake.

I like writing a short story that makes me laugh or cry and then wondering, "How did that happen?"

I like going to the airport and finding that United has given me a free upgrade.

I like being a husband and a dad.

I like my dog and he likes me.

I like driving my jeep with the lift and big tires and the top and doors taken off with "Born to Run" blasting on the radio.

I like a hot bath while reading Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Book of Quotes.

I like to play golf, not for the sport but for the company I keep when I play.

I like to hang out with my friends at the coffee shop.

I like to go for long walks with my wife or dog in the hills here in Marin county.

I like diversity in plants, politics, stories, cultures and people.

I like my job, mostly because of the people I meet.

I like staying in touch with friends from the past and telling them they are important to me.

I like to read the morning funnies.

I like that there are better people in the world than me.  It gives me hope.

I like that I can control very little in my life.  But, I can control my perspective and that is all that really matters.

I like big, sloppy sandwiches that should be eaten over a bowl.

I like coaching wrestling, especially while my son is on the team.

I like doing things differently from the norm.

I like double cheeseburgers at Rocket Robbies.

I like being healthy but feel that I don't take enough time to really appreciate it.

I like Family Guy, 30 Rock and The Big Lebowski.

I like email and the internet in general.

I like the idea that I am a spiritual being having a human experience, not the other way around.

I like Obama as a person and leader although I don't always agree.  I am glad he is in charge.

I like watching babies laugh on youtube.

I like the holiday season.

I like the anticipation of Christmas more than the day itself.

I like to snowboard.

I like to sit and talk with my mom about life.

I like to blog even if I am the only one listening.

If you read this, then I like you.  Please feel free to add your likes to the comments section.

Jim