Change is Good

Since starting this blog roughly 3 years ago, loyal readers will note that the tone has been decidedly negative.  Almost each new post contained a new wave, sometimes tsunami, of  bad news and ill feelings.  These were honest reflections of my life and not some trumped up version of negativity.  I can't say that the feelings have changed but I am now trying to take a different, more balanced approach.

Yes, I still am unemployed, subject to ill health and financial ruin.  However I recently read that mental health is closely related to expressions of gratitude and reflecting on positive experiences.  So I resolved to improve the mood and tone of my posts.  (This isn't like a news program whose ratings are depressed by an absence of bad news.  I for one would be overjoyed.  I don't really look forward to absence of challenges but I just want to emphasize the positive.  No one else seems to hit this anyway so I'm not worried about a loss of readership.)

Positive Item #1:  Good Health

I find myself almost afraid to talk about this since so many have expressed the notion that bragging about the good inevitably leads to bad.  Forging ahead in spite of the internal struggle, as I reflect on my health, I have to say that I am very happy with the known state of my health.  Yes I am fat, possibly obese, but that is at least within the realm of control.  My eyesight has always been poor but that is correctable (even though I don't seem to be able to wear contact lenses and so am stuck with glasses all the time.) 

What I don't have is diabetes, (a) missing limb(s),  dementia, heart disease, cancer or the like (again not to my knowledge.)  Also I'm not blind, severely hearing impaired, and the other senses (olfactory, touch, and the others I can't remember right now) seem to work fine.  Also my mind, while not as sharp as I would hope, seems to be able to comprehend things as well as the bulk of society.  Of course it goes without saying that many, many people especially many of my peers are far more capable than I am in this area, I have no just basis for complaint.  I have only been sidelined by health issues once and it does not seem to be a recurring issue.  It appears to have been a once and done type of thing. 

Even things that are very common like back problems, foot problems, frequent stomach problems, are not a big issue for me.  I am relieved since these things have often plagued others around me and I see how they suffer. 

I hope I never get the idea that somehow I am a better person as a result.   That's not the message here.  It is rather to verbalize my appreciation for the state of my health.  I know I should be more grateful, but maybe this is the start of a new round of appreciation for the things I do have.

Next:  the rents.