Find Your Silver Linings

Silver linings.

Happy people figure out a way to acknowledge them.

And the happiest people figure out a way to make them their focus.

One of the goals I’ve been working on recently is trying to be more appreciative of the small things.

And I’ve been failing miserably.

Yesterday, I had to go to the dentist for my six-month cleaning.

Could there a more antithetical way to kick off your holiday weekend?

Holiday weekends are supposed to be about good times, about relaxation, about pulling an ice cream cone or ice cold beer to your lips — not that weird suction device that drains all the saliva out of your mouth.

These were the thoughts running through my head on Friday when I got the calendar reminder, and they were still running as I got out of bed the next morning.

But then I stopped myself and attempted to reframe:

I was grateful to have a dentist I trusted.

I was grateful to have a dentist that was open on Saturdays.

I was grateful to get my teeth cared for.

I was grateful to get it done first-thing and out of the way, so I could get on with enjoying my weekend.

And with that, my Memorial Day outlook become less cloudy. Even if just a little.

*****

This originally appeared on 100 Naked Words.