I am an optimist by nature, usually finding something exciting in each day.  Please don't confuse this with thinking my days are always perfect.  Far be it.  My fury is on a short leash, quick to appear at the slightest irritation.  Even if I get mad, I usually think life is pretty great, finding that life still serves up plenty of beauty even in the midst of personal conflict.  So, for this marvelous Friday I offer up my own charge to optimism.

Worry has no place in my life- I'm not talking about concern for someone's well-being; This is that feeling that swells over you like quicksand when you are stressed.  Fretting about that deadline.  Obsessing about what other's think.  Nothing constructive comes from worry.  I have found that things usually work themselves out if you are doing your best.  This isn't to say that everything in my life is a success, but you know what?  Even when something doesn't turn out like I expected I end up surviving.  That's the thing.  Very few events in life are drastic enough to merit worry and anxiety.

Why listen to melancholy music when there is so many feel-good tunes out there?  I find so much of that somber music to be a bit indulgent.  A little goes a long way.  But happy music lifts the spirits.  It recharges me.  And I could care less if my choices are what the hipsters are enjoying.  If it sounds good, I'll listen.  And if it's a song that gets my whole family dancing, well, even better!

I don't take myself too seriously.  It doesn't matter too much to me if people think I'm a goofball.  If I need to dance crazy, well, I'm doing it then.  Why not?  Someone might laugh?  They might talk about me?  I have found that most people are not spending too much energy thinking about me or any other person for an extended amount of time.  I might as well do what makes me happy, right?  

I just try to not sweat the small stuff.  Olivia doesn't want to fix her hair today and it hangs in her face?  Is it worth a fight?  I think not.  And usually she'll decide it's bugging her and put a barrette in it herself.  My dinner is less than stellar?  Are we starving?  no?  Well, then it's fine, and there's many more dinners out there to fix.  

And honestly, smiling just feels better than frowning.  Sometimes I just smile anyway...eventually my mood catches up with my face.  

Have a super terrific weekend, friends!