Recently, I came home from a trip abroad. I spent every day exploring and wearing myself out. I was in my very first country abroad so I wanted to make the most of my time there.

Well, when I got home my Mom figured I would want to keep up that momentum and planned something fun the first day I was home. My Mom was tired and didn’t want to go out, but she did it for me. I was surprisingly awake that first morning, but I didn’t really want to go out and sit in a car for hours like I had been doing while on vacation. In fact, my back was actively hurting from sitting in the car so much.

However, both of us picked something about the outing to look forward to, instead of just being sorry for ourselves. I knew we were going to grab a soda on the way to our destination; so that’s what I chose to focus on. It was a warm day and I hadn’t had my favorite soda in almost two weeks having been abroad. So, I knew it was going to be delicious!

My Mom had been wanting to go out to this place since it has been so rainy and the ponds would be so full. So, she was focused on being grateful for finally being able to go out there and check it out.

When we made it to our destination, the ponds were full! There was not a lot of people, but a select few who smiled and waved or said something kind to us. There were so many birds talking to each other making the most beautiful sounds. Our stunning mountains in the background of these ponds just completed the scene. Mom and I even got out to stretch our legs and we ended up walking about a mile and a half around the ponds. We learned many new plant names as we walked. When we got back in the car, we had a deep conversation that was so rewarding and free flowing.

If we hadn’t chosen to focus on the good, our perspectives of the day would have been very different. Even if everything happened the same way; we wouldn’t have noticed the little things. We would not have been open and receptive to all the good that came our way. If you recall, neither one of us really wanted to do this day trip. We made an unconscious decision to focus on something good though. That small and seemingly insignificant step, made our day so much more than it could have been.

You can do this intentionally as well. Each morning, before an event, before going to bed, anytime you choose to set an intention for something happening. I have found it is easiest to start when you first wake up in the morning, because nothing has happened to make you turn one way or the other yet. Start wherever feels most comfortable to you.

In the mornings you can say: I’m going to have a good day! I just know that wonderful things are going to happen today! I am excited to be surprised by the days events! I can’t wait to see what amazing people I meet!

Before an event you can say: Wow, I am so excited for this event! I know I am going to meet awesome people! Everything is going to go my way during this event! I will be having so much fun, I won’t want it to end!

Before going to sleep you can say: I love my bed and my pillow! I am so comfortable! I know I am going to get the best sleep tonight! Tonight is going to be so wonderful! I am going to wake up in the morning fully refreshed and bright! Even my skin will be brighter than normal because I had such amazing sleep last night! I am getting a great nights sleep so I can have the best day tomorrow!

Change your perspective, change your focus, change your mindset; change your life!

-Cassidy Laughy