When I was in my late teens I had a copy of The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann on my wall. I read parts of it most days, all of it some. The past few days the last lines have been coming to mind
'With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful, strive to be happy'
At the moment, listening to the news and following social media, it is easy to believe that the world is a dreadful place and that everything has gone wrong. Don't be swung. I would advise everyone that when it all gets too much just stop reading it. Often, when I fear it is affecting my perspective and mental well being, I stop watching the news for a few days and take a social media break. I find it helps, just being in my own little world and knowing that everything there is normal.
In the past few weeks I had some bad news - not devastating, more inconvenient really. Initially I was a little miserable and sorry for myself - "It's not fair, why us again?" Then I stepped back and looked at it rationally. The news wasn't dreadful and, if looked at from the right perspective, was far better that it could have been and really not worth the fuss I was making. I have met some amazingly supportive people because of it who I wouldn't have otherwise met. I have found out how brilliant my friends are too.
Despite the media trying to convince us that the world is going to pot it is actually doing pretty well There are still plenty of things that we need to work on to improve it further but it's still in much better shape that it was in my childhood.
I have decided to focus on the positive things that make the world a better place. And so, I have made a list:
*my lovely husband and children
*my amazing friends
*my beautiful garden
*my fantastic football team who I am sure will do great things this year
*the brilliant friends at my fantastic football team who put up with me screaming like a banshee without saying a word
*my beautiful beach, wonderful walks, glorious sunsets and the Iron Men who'll listen to you tell
anything without breathing a word
*Haworth, which welcomes me back every year and whispers something new of my beloved Brontes
*my books and poetry
*my beautiful piano and all the music I can play
*the blue skies and sunshine that smile when I go out
*The rain that plays tunes on my window and lets me dance in puddles
*Chester Zoo with all their wildlife conservation reminding me again that people care
*The National Trust preserving homes so that I can visit and pretend that I am in an Austen novel and
Colonel Brandon is just around the corner
*Lacy tablecloths, china tea sets and afternoon teas
I really could go on but I'm probably boring you already. Try making your own list and you'll see that your world is a beautiful place too x
