A perfect morning: 3 good things and more

I hear that naming 3 good things every day is a powerful tool for happiness. This morning I filled my quota before lunch.

The day started off a bit hectic for an 83-year-old, but I made it out the door at 8:15 am. That’s after the usual routine of shower, meditation, tai chi, breakfast, cat, washing, plus a couple of urgent emails. You know the drill.

Good thing No. 1: Poems to learn by heart

On the way out I found an exciting parcel in my mailbox: a new anthology of poems from Aotearoa New Zealand, chosen for learning by heart. Remember Me, edited by Anne Kennedy. I couldn’t browse immediately, but five hours later I have done. And what a joy it is. The poems are memorable on so many levels. High school students will like it heaps. Their teachers too. You too! Publisher AUP.

Good thing No. 2: Compliment from a stranger

Walking down the road I was surprised when a car slowed down and a complete stranger (a woman) leaned out and shouted, “You look gorgeous!” Wow! Do I? I was wearing 3 old favourites, and I mean very old. Then again, that’s why they are still favourites, right? Don’t chuck out that raggedy jacket, those patched boots, and the funky little cashmere sweater that you accidentally machine washed and tumble dried long ago. Thereby discovering that funky little cashmere sweaters can take it.

Good thing No. 3: Rose kombucha from Mystic Kitchen

But my little blessings were still not done. I went to work in Mystic Kitchen cafe, and indulged in a new discovery: their home-made rose kombucha. Perfect.

More good things

There was more to come. No. 4: A friend dropped in and we had a chat over my sausage roll with salsa. That was important and lucky too, for various reasons.

And 5! I made some progress with rewriting the play.

Good things that come are partly your own doing

Another interesting strategy for happiness takes the daily gratitude for 3 good things a step further. Ask yourself, in what way was I at least partly responsible for this good thing? That’s not always easy, when a blessing comes out of the blue. But asking the question sincerely is such a good trick for boosting your morale and — with persistence — making your outlook on the world more optimistic.

• Today, No. 1 was easily answered: I got a free book because a couple of my poems are included.
• No. 2. I have refrained from chucking out my favourite things although they are old.
• No 3? I knew the kombucha was good and I bought it, doh!
• No 4: My friend lives nearby and I had told her to check if I was in the cafe when she came for takeaway coffee. So a chance to chat with her was a teeny tiny bit my doing.
• No. 5: Obviously I put the work in: that’s easy.

What 3 good things happened to you today?

Or yesterday? And I wonder what will happen tomorrow?

Even on really bad days, you can usually find those three good things. Half the trick is seeing the goodness something small. Like a dandelion flowering in the footpath, or the sun shining after a week of cold wind and rain. Hang on a minute… I can hardly claim responsibility for that. In such cases I give myself marks for noticing, appreciating, enjoying one more good thing.

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