You know what? Three or four weeks ago I woke up feeling downright glum. In a funk, if you will. I think I even said, “I don’t want to do today” multiple days in a row <—what I say when I’m feeling stabby or down. It was probably a combination of the two. Everything going on in my life felt…ominous. I felt like my work obligations were out of my control and my other (life) obligations gave me anxiety.
(how much do you love AnxietyCats???)
Today? I feel thankful, blessed, and amazed at how good life really is right now. {Most} things are just going great…no complaints. I just feel…blessed, for lack of better terms. I’m not really one to say these kinds of things out loud. Sure, I’ll feel them and relish that feeling, but I’m not one to shout from the rooftops about how fabulous or not my life is. I actually think the word “blessed” is outrageously overused. In fact, one of my #1 pet peeves is seeing facebook statuses of the like…
I’m SO blessed! OMG LIFE is great. I just feel SO BLESSED!!11!!!!Eleventy!!!!
My number 2 Facebook pet peeve? Status complainers. I don’t want to see you moan and complain about working a 12 hour day or how you disowned your sister. You’re LUCKY to be able to complain about these things…just don’t do it on Facebook, mmmk?
And there I go again, off on a tangent! I digress…
This post isn’t about facebook statuses. Nor is it to tell you guys about how great life is right now. So, what’s changed between three weeks ago and today? Notta thing. Nothing in my life has changed. Same job, same obligations, same family (thank the Lord,) same friends, same path.
The only thing that’s changed is my attitude. I was in an attitude funk for a couple weeks, and recently just pulled myself out of it – thank goodness! 
You know, the other day I was with someone who I consider extremely lucky,privileged, and “blessed.” But the entire time I was with this person, they just complained nonstop – even about their “blessings!” I thought to myself, man, I guess everything is just perspective.I couldn’t believe how “unhappy” this person felt.
So. I’m just choosing to focus on the good in life instead of the bad. I’m seeing the exact same things I was three weeks ago, but in a new, different, brighter light.
I’m not even 100% sure why I’m posting this today – I never get this deep on the blog!- except for the fact that it’s Tuesday, somewhat of a downer day to many, and perhaps a few people reading could use a reminder to focus on the good in life instead of the negative. Count your blessings, not your complaints, people!
Speaking of the good stuff, meet my new after-dinner love affair:
I picked this up on a whim the other day in Kroger, and it came in handy last night (after a huge fail at bbq pork burgers for dinner – they literally fell apart on the grill!) Regular dark chocolate can get a little boring, and the other cookie butter chocolate bar I had in the fridge can be a little too much. This was deliciously perfect.
I guess I was a little absent-minded (or giddy) as I unwrapped it, because I tore open the wrapper with so much gusto that it went flying across the room and landed on the floor! Ooops 
Thank goodness this little crazy didn’t get to it first 
Not one to waste chocolate, I gave it the 5 10 second rule, blew on it, and ate it anyway 
Hey! Don’t go calling that gross just yet. Luckily, I read in this month’s Food Network magazine that it doesn’t matter if the food hits the floor for 3, 5, 10, or 60 seconds.
It doesn’t matter how long the food’s on the floor, but what kind of food it is, and how dirty the floors are that determines if any bacteria gets on the food, and I just cleaned my floors yesterday, thankyouverymuch!
Actually…I would have eaten it anyway. For some reason, no matter what I drop on the floor, as long as it’s MY floor, I’ll eat it. Anyone else feel that way?
This morning’s a pretty leisurely one for me. I don’t start my work day until a bit later (aside from some online client shtuff,) so I think a run is on the agenda. I haven’t run outdoors since last Thursday, so hopefully my legs feel fresh I don’t know what’s with me and 5 miles lately, but it seems to be my sweet spot for mileage. Usually I’ll stick with four, but hey, I’ll take it! Plus, I’m only running about twice a week these days.
Okie doke, time to get scootin’. Happy Tuesday, my friends! See ya this afternoon with a fun vlog that shows a bit of my personality hehe
What are you counting today – blessings or complaints?
Five (errr ten) second rule – gross or totally OK?
You’re absolutely right – attitude is everything! Last night I had a really rough night of sleep, so this is actually just what I needed to read to help me snap out of my “poor me, I am going to be tired all day” mentality.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted..A Little Glimpse Of The Weekend
Umm, unless it’s been sitting on the floor for a long time (which it won’t because I have a dog!), I’ll pick it up and inspect it for dog hair. No dog hair = eat it.
Glad you’re feeling positive!
Lee recently posted..Costco Trifecta of Deliousness
I am so glad you are finding your happy place right now. I have to tell you, I went for a year being pretty depressed with personal things. I keep those things quiet though. I feel like everything is relative and that really what I was going through was awful, but others were going through so much worse, so I really just kept it to myself (and well Tony got to hear the brunt of it). I HATE FB complainers and I can’t stand the constant blessed statements. I love to hear great things for people and gosh, I’m so happy for people when they are happy, but sometimes things can come across as braggy and well, annoying.
5 second rule depends on what it is. If I can wash it off, then I’m good with it. I have two cats and two boys that run through this house. I don’t know that I could pick something up off the floor and eat it after just one second. I’m a germ freak…
I hope you have an incredible day Paige!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted..Time To Make The Doughnuts!
good for you for seeing the good! it’s so easy to focus on the bad, but it takes work to focus on the good. i think that’s why so many people choose to ignore it.
Great post! I was in a funk all of July and only made matters worse by focusing on negative thoughts. Now I am trying very hard to always be positive and shake those bad thoughts. I am blessed in many ways. So what if one thing is not going my way right now.
haha
5 second rule is okay
Lindsey recently posted..So You Want To Run?
I just pulled out of a little slump, myself. I get birthday blues like crazy. No idea why, I just get a little difficult and pouty….
Amy @ Second City Randomness recently posted..Because Sometimes I Need a Reminder
So glad you decided to see the good in the bad. Love everything about this post, especially your openess to all of us
. Have a wonderful day dear!!
jessielovestorun recently posted..50 dollars for that….
I hate complaint statuses, just a way to get attention. With that little “crazy” in your life, you are always blessed
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie recently posted..Olympics Addition Liebster Award — yes, I’m Obsessed
Cookie butter chocolate bar?!?! I know that wasn’t the point of the post, but YUM.
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake recently posted..One Year
LOL! Yes! From TJ’s. It’s pretty much the most amazing thing ever.
I can totally relate! I have been feeling cranky and annoyed and focusing way too much on all the bad things. It’s amazing what a little change in perspective can do. PS I love dark chocolate and orange together! I didn’t think that I would but find it awesomely refreshing and delicious.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Get Your Good Going
Oh I sooo agree on the FB postings. Either over the top my life is perfect or woe is me life is so bad. And I HATE when someone says “FML.” Seriously? that bad? I agree, attitude makes such a difference for our moods.
if it’s my floor I totally eat it…public is a no go
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..Clean Eating for Endurance Athletes
I feel ya! Sometimes I wake up wishing I could just sleep the day away for several days! My biggest fb pet peeve is people who complain on facebook, or post things like so pissed right now, or my life sucks so much, oh it drives me nuts!
I love this post Paige! It really is all about the attitude! I admit I am one to be overwhelmed easily but all I have to do to get through it is change my approach! If I attack things with a stressed and poor attitude things don’t get done quite as well as if I take a deep breath and consider myself lucky for getting to do whatever it may be! Thank you for this fabulous reminder! I’m with you on the 10 second rule, especially in my own house! Out in public nope but at home it totally applies!
Danielle (@CleanFoodCreativeFitness) recently posted..Sweet Potato Turkey Veggie “Hash” and Eggs
Funny the difference your own attitude can make eh? I have to have chats with myself every now and then and tell myself to smarten up and stop being negative.
As for the facebook status thing, I agree with you SO much. I hate when people feel the need to go on and on about how great (or awful) their lives are on facebook. All they’re doing is trying to get attention.
Leah @ Why Deprive? recently posted..Summer Weekends
i truly believe that attitude is everything. If we can convince ourselves into seeing the good in everything, then life is BLESSED and BLISSFUL. There is more good than bad in this world. amen?!
cottercrunch recently posted..Marvelous Monday: Sabbatical Week
This was such a great post, Paige! I couldn’t agree more – attitude is everything. I spent so much of my early 20′s miserable, simply put. I was an angry person, jealous of everything, and just not happy with ME. It was so stupid I wasted years like that. I finally one was like EVA ENOUGH! My ex boyfriend at the time sent me an article on how I can make a choice TODAY to be happy. and it really struck a cord. Since then, it’s amazing how much better my life is. Just to appreciate that I have TODAY and not focus on the things I don’t, etc etc etc. Great post
and yes, don’t even get my started on FB.. I hate the braggers and I LOATHE the complainers. I hide people from the newsfeed 
Eva @ committed2nutrition recently posted..Another Marvelous Monday…& lots of cooking these days!
What a great feeling!! Attitude is everything about our day, its how we perceive how the day will turn about.
I always look for the positives in everyday and turn those negative thoughts around by viewing the positives about my life and situation!
Its so weird how just a change in perception and attitude can change our day around for the better.
I’m so happy your are in your blessed and happy place!
Haha. I’m all about the 5/10 second rule. I figure my floor isn’t that dirty. Yikes. Unless I haven’t cleaned it in a while or something though.
I’m so happy you’ve got such a great attitude!! I’m definitely trying to count my blessings today. And as for the ten second rule, it definitely depends on the floor that I drop it on. Carpet is a zero second rule for me.
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted..A Day Off
I’m the same way with dropping things on my own floor, particularly chocolate, no matter how dirty I know it really is…..shhhhh.
I agree with your post. It’s miserable to be around someone that does nothing, but complain. I just want to scream, “Just be glad your alive and able to complain”!!
kim@hungryhealthygirl recently posted..Running sprints
I love this!! our attitude is everything! Thank you for the wonderful reminder! I needed to hear that today!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..This or That: Health and Fitness
Pssht – ten second rule has bothered me whatsoever. As long as it doesn’t look dirty when I pick it up (ie. dirt and hair stuck to it) I consider it safe. Also want to point out how rarely I get sick – boosts the immune system!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..Alpaca Lunch.