Supply and Demand, Why are Rare things Most Precious?

A warm day, after a long, cold, and record-setting winter, is precious in The Midwest.  By the end of the summer, some of us will be wishing for snow again.  

Childlike innocence brings joy to things that are plentiful, we might see a lawn full of weeds but toddlers love to blow the seeds off a dandelion, catch fireflies, and enjoy looking at the stars.  Does familiarity lessen your joy?

Why do we love diamonds more than glass?  Who decides which brand should cost more and be more exclusive?  It's partly ingredients and materials, when it comes to products; but it's also the majic of connecting our emotions to the item.

I can only control my own reactions.  My intention is to be grateful for things that are ordinary and plentiful:  my family and friends; a dependable car; a succulent piece of fruit on a warm day; my dogs; my bike; breakfast; lunch; dinner. 

We have all heard of gratitude journals.  They are simple but effective if done in the spirit in which they are intended.  When you use a gratitude journal, the part that most don't realize is that you have to connect the positive feeling to what you are grateful for; you must savor the memory.  Really, (this part is drumroll worthy) take the time to savor the ordinary.  That is the pathway to happiness.

When we bring childlike innocence and wonder to ordinary, plentiful things, our brains create pathways to joy that can be reinforced easily.  We want to make it easy to reinforce joy in our lives, because what we focus on multiplies.  

Can you fake happiness?  Maybe you can trick others but not yourself.  However, you can start over, look around and see things through a new set of eyes.  If you don't have kids, borrow your niece or nephew for a day.  Things look better and brighter after realizing again, for the first time, how wonderful it is to run through a sprinkler on a hot summer day (actually that would make me cry because I dislike being cold but you can insert your own simple pleasure here).

The best part about life, for me, is that every day is a "do over": a clean slate, the ability to start from scratch, a Mulligan.  The "new me" has the wisdom from the "old me", I only erase the parts I wish to modify.  As I practice making conscious choices,  I enjoy each experience as if it was new, precious, and rare.

Have a wonderful day!!

Xo

Conni

Today's Mantra:  I intend to find miracles in every day life.

Mantra for Every Day: I choose to send love to all; receiving love back multiplied in infinite proportions, creating and nurturing pathways of love.