Boomerang-a-tang
I know in previous posts I’ve made no attempt to hide the fact that I am a big softy. Not only on the account of my Dad-bod (I wear it loud and proud), but on account of drawing on the moments of simply looking at the happy faces of my young children, and “not so young” Wife 😊
*I’ll pay for that later I’m sure”.
When I reflect on this innumerable blessing I do choke up from time to time. Not in an unconsolable end scene Titanic kind of way (there was always enough room on that raft for the two of them if you ask me), but in the silent, satisfying, nourishment of the soul kind.
I realise in such moments that I feel good. I feel contempt with my life choices as each choice in its own wisdomess way has led me to this precise moment.
And that got me thinking – where did this feeling come from? I mean, my hair is doing that thing where it’s deciding to fall off my head at free will, and the wrinkled forehead looks like I belong in an Aztec museum.
So why the peace?
The answer, I think, lies somewhere between self-reflection, positive energy, and something my Grandma used to call, “putting good into the world just because..”
In today’s world it’s called Paying It Forward. Think of it like Karma with trainers – active, simple, and effective. It makes your soul feel like its on a high of matcha tea consumption.
Self-reflection
I know this piece has been covered in previous posts (to a degree), but it’s a favourite of mine – just like a Maryland chocolate chip biscuit, it just keeps finding itself in my day.
Self-reflection sounds like something monks will do while floating a few inches above the ground. But really, its as simple as taking a few minutes to ask, “Am I living on purpose or just between snack breaks?”. Now, I know many things command our daily attention, such as a million memes that have been sent by that one friend on a WhatsApp group (need to disable the blue tick option), though without the occasional check-in, we start to drift, without actually choosing in which direction.
This conscious effort isn’t about being harsh on ourselves, it’s about taking stock without taking shots.
Try this: next time you are in the middle of your day, take a moment to ask yourself –
- When was the last time I gave something to someone without expecting anything back?
- What made me smile in an out of place kind of way?
- Where is my happy state out of 10 today?
Small questions in isolation but big answers collectively.
Positive energy
Ok, let’s talk about energy. Not the double-shot espresso type (even though I consume about 6 shots before lunch and still just functioning). It’s about the invisible yet very real vibe that flows through people, rooms, interactions… even emails with too many !!!
You know what I am talking about – you’ve felt it. You walk into a room where someone is laughing, like really laughing – like they’ve just remembered how good it is to be alive. You don’t know what they are laughing about but suddenly you are smiling to – that’s positive energy in action.
We all have that power. From the way you show up, the way you speak, dress, treat each other (including yourself) – it all radiates.
So how do you tap into that energy?
- Laugh – don’t keep it in like a stiff upper lipped aristocrat – just let it out!
- Express gratitude – pay a person that unexpected compliment (I do this all the time)
- Set the tone – don’t just match the energy – be that quirky kid in the room with an aura to awe at
Positive energy isn’t about faking the happiness; it’s about choosing the higher road – because the view is so much more scenic 😊
Sprinkle goodness
Imagine if you could see every step of goodness you’ve spread over your life in the form of stardust, like a cosmic oasis. A smile here, a kind word there, a treat for a friend. Dropping a dose of kindness into someone else’s world and suddenly your own feels lighter. Like a ricochet of good fortune finding itself back to you when you least expect it – and when you need it the most.
Remember baking that cake as a child and right at the end, when the sprinkles are handing over to you like a baton; eyes wide open with excitement – with a goofy smile to match (mine definitely was), you popped open the lid and sprinkled across the cake with as much muscle as you could muster… that was the best part. Well, that my smileyapes is what life is… a blanket of snowflakes.