Good news

Sweeping over me like an ominous tidal wave this week was a cascade of negativity. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world — if not the most beautiful — yet I still dwelled upon all the things I wish could change.

I wish the island would be litter-free, I wish that abuse would be obliterated, I wish people didn’t judge one another based on their appearances and I wish that groceries didn’t cost a small fortune. I even selfishly wished that rent didn’t consume over half of my paycheck every month and that I may one day be able to afford a place to live in the state where I was born.

I have to admit, watching the news didn’t help; it kept me in that frame of mind. Bombarding me with images of war, crime, burglaries and economic downfalls, it would give even the most peaceful person in the world a migraine.

I felt hopeless about circumstances beyond my control.

I cannot control that our island is unsustainable, I can’t pick up every piece of garbage I come across on the beaches and roads, I’m unable to fix poverty and I have no say about how high the cost to live in paradise is. However, I do have the choice to switch my attitude.

The fact of the matter is, I have much more to be thankful for than not. I have a roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep on — the majority of the world doesn’t even know where their next meal will come from. I have a loving family and friends. I work in an environment where everybody gets along. All in all, I have truly been granted many wonderful things in life that I forget to focus my attention on.

When negative thoughts pop into my head — and they do more often than I’d like to admit — I try to gracefully stop myself and concentrate on something positive. Even if it’s something small — like the lady who smiled and said hello to me on my morning walk. The results are astounding. I’m not kidding.

Like a weight being lifted from your shoulders, it’s nice to remember the little things that bring us happiness.

So, as I sipped my cup of coffee Friday morning, I noticed just how glorious the golden glow of the sky was while the sun peeked up over the horizon and I listened to the sweet melodies of birds. If I had decided to sit with my doom and gloom instead, I surely would have missed this.

Each and every one of us has something to be thankful for, even if it takes every ounce of energy to find it. And let me tell you from personal experience, it’s awfully hard to discover anything worth smiling about when our bills are due, our cars break down, someone yells at us or a driver cuts us off on our way to work.

But, if only for a moment every day, maybe we can remember what we have to be thankful for. And if nothing else, just take a look outside and say, “Lucky you live Kaua‘i.”