We All Need Something to Smile About

Monday Morning Match is a simple post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.

It’s unprecedented times in our world right now with the life we’re used living being basically put on hold. Most modern families haven’t been forced to be this close to each other for so long since the days of summer vacations in the family station wagon.

Many of us watch or listen to the news only to wish we wouldn’t have watched or listened to the news. We go on social networks to “get away” only to find ourselves wishing some people would just “go away.” It’s just too easy to start finding yourself getting a little negative, overwhelmed and fearful of the unknown that’s out there right now.

Time for Something to Smile About

Let’s change those feelings if we can, even if only for a little bit. Let’s keep the world in perspective and find all those “little things” that really are important, give us hope, and might just help us crack a smile. Things like…

• A quiet walk in the morning while listening to the birds singing.

• Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies…warm out of the oven.

• The first tee time on a Saturday morning with three of your best buddies.

• How about 10 minutes of Cute Puppies and Babies Playing Together?

• A hand-written note in the mailbox from an old friend.

• Nobody in line at the Starbucks drive-thru when you pull up for your morning coffee.

• When Siri answers your question on the first try instead of saying, “I don’t understand.”

• Enjoying a cold beer or two

• How about listening to a motivational speech from Matt Foley?

• When none of your work emails or voices mails fall into the “Urgent AND Important” category.

• An open road and a full tank of gasoline.

• Your doctor calling to tell you the test results came back and everything is just fine.

• Having conversations with friends that make you laugh until you cry.

• When the crossword puzzle seems just a little easier than usual

• Knowing that in 5 more months, we should have college football to look forward to welcoming back.

• Getting on the plane and finding you have the entire row to yourself.

• Seeing an old friend’s name show up unexpectedly on the caller ID.

• Seeing one of your “signs” from someone you have lost. It might be a butterfly, a cardinal, a number of the digital clock, or a full moon shining brightly in the sky and that’s when you know that they are probably thinking about you too.

• Maybe just take a break from the hustle and bustle of life and get “Lost in the Moment.” (Amazing song, incredible agility, and inspiring views. Make sure you watch this)

• Meditate

• Do some gardening and get your hands dirty…and then wash your hands for 20 seconds.

• Read something you wouldn’t normally read. A novel, a biography, a new magazine or blog.

• Feed the birds

• Thinking about the next time you’ll be able to be social without the “distance”

• Remember that the sun will come out tomorrow – and watching Claire Ryann Crosby sing it will make you believe that it will.

We agree with you Claire so we’re going to keep our head up, keep smiling and keep things in perspective. Oh, and one more thing…

• Keep building relationships, solving problems, and having fun.