I’m not a huge fan of the news. I realize there are plenty of arguments as to why one should watch the news, but I find that it is generally pretty depressing. It is for that reason that I’m a bit picky as to where I like to get my news and current events. I prefer a little sarcasm or humor mixed in, so my favorites are The Daily Show, the Colbert Report, sometimes the local news (mostly because my fiance likes to watch the weather on each local channel. . .over and over again) and then there is Yahoo which I check with probably the greatest sense of regularity.
I like Yahoo because you can scroll through what they deem to be the top 20-40 news stories of the day or week. Now let me admit here that I use the term “news” stories very loosely considering the stories usually range from videos of little baby kittens slipping down a slide and updates on reality television shows, to the latest on the BP oil spill and election results. Honestly, I think it’s this random mishmashed presentation of the “news” that I find charming and it draws me back nearly each day to see what Yahoo thinks we need to know. It’s kind of like the idea of taking a spoonful of sugar after your medicine (thank you Mary Poppins), watching videos of kitties slipping down a slide or a baby monkey snuggling up to a stuffed teddy bear help to not loose hope for it all when you can watch a live video of the oil gushing into our oceans.
Here is my favorite “spoonful of sugar” as of late; Jessica’s Daily Affirmation. This video made me laugh, gave me goosebumps, gave me hope for the future of humanity, and reminded me that I am responsible for getting myself pumped up enough to get out of bed each day and tackle the world . . .or my day at least. This cute little girl (that yes each time I watch the video I cross my fingers and hope she doesn’t fall off the bathroom vanity) stands in front of a mirror and rambles off the most heartwarming and contagious affirmation. She can do anything good, she likes her school, she likes her sister, she likes her hair, she can do anything good . . better than anyone!
Watching this little Jessica reminded me of a time when I was a little more optimistic, or maybe just had more energy, and I would write my daily affirmations on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker. Each morning while I brushed my teeth I would be reminded to read and repeat just a simple little affirmation to help me get a better start to the day. It’s amazing to realize how such a simple act can get you outside of your head, or rut if your in one, and lift you up to a level in which you can navigate through the day and return home without bringing anything unnecessary or unwelcome with you.
I share with you the affirmation that I will write on my bathroom mirror to greet me tomorrow morning; I will fully feel and experience life today, and let anything that will not serve me and the greater good roll right off my back.
