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good thoughts in hard times

By September 30, 2008Blogging, The Business

Yes, I’m about to get all kinds of philosophical on you right now.

As the economy crashes, wars are waged, and there is still a possibility that Sarah Palin could become a world leader, it would be so very easy for me to slide into a deep, dark depression. To envision my world, my freelance business and my family crumbling into nothing.

But, I’m not like that. I refuse to be. I don’t think there’s anything more important right now than having a positive attitude. Seriously, how would my misery contribute to the world’s desperate need for support, positivity and goodness? HOW?

So, I’ve made a commitment to stay positive. This is a very difficult task. I realize that I can’t possibly keep any negative thoughts from entering my brain, I mean really. But what I can do, is this: every time I feel negative or sound negative, I can think of something that always, eternally, unequivocally makes me feel good. But what, who?

It’s George Clooney. He’s my happy button.

georgeclooney3.jpg

He’s beautiful, he’s charitable, he’s rich, he’s funny, when he looks at me (albeit from the movie screen) I turn to mush, I hear he’s a good person.

I’ve asked my family and friends to keep me in check (support is good, do not attempt this alone). So if they see me looking gloomy or hear me being negative, they have full permission to ‘George Clooney’ me.

It’s working. I’m feeling good, things are going well. Didn’t someone famous say, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Oh, right, it was Ghandi. That’s what I’m doing…with George Clooney.

How are you surviving? Do you have a happy button (and let’s keep it clean people)? I can’t wait to hear what or who, how and why…

Join the discussion 16 Comments

  • I have to confess that some of my favorite happy buttons are the laughing babies and grooving dancing white boys on YouTube. They just get me feeling so good!

    Here are my all-time favorites:

    http://tinyurl.com/4hjhjd (this young military guy totally has his groove on!)

    http://tinyurl.com/3p3rkb (I have watched this a zillion times and it still cheers me up!)

    Together, we are stronger.
    Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman
    follow me at http://twitter.com/smartwoman

  • Julie Roads says:

    Thanks, Vicki – those are awesome!

  • San says:

    My happy button is the hope that aliens will come and rescue us…

    Kidding! But maybe it will happen! And it is also possible President Palin will be the best executive in chief we have ever seen. But not likely…

  • Julie Roads says:

    About as likely, San, about as likely!!! LOL

  • I do approve of your happy button there Julie!

    I occasionally think about the world/the environment/the current leaders and get worried, escalating to annoyed and then to angry. It’s important to remember that each person CAN make a difference (even if it feels like you are hitting your head against a brick wall … daily!) and to persist with trying to make the world a better place.

    BUT time out from this will help your sanity and a little bit of eye candy never goes astray (I’m a Matt Damon fan myself ;) )

  • ok seriously, i laughed out loud and SO needed that. perfect how george’s little face helped me go from debbie downer to a full out giggle.

    thank you ! fun getting this info via twitter ;)

  • Julie Roads says:

    Hey Annette – Matt Damon’s mom was one of my grad school profs and my adivsor! And his brother’s (who I have to say is actually even better looking) son attended the preschool where I worked…good choice!

  • Julie Roads says:

    Krista….I am so glad that I could help!

  • I’m finding that these days, that spending the time to read a few pages of twitter usually leads me to a smile if not outright laughter…

  • Julie Roads says:

    Richard – Especially if you’re selective about the links you follow! I totally agree – Twitter is a great mood booster. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Kathy Sena says:

    Julie, I think Twitter is my happy button right now. Since I got started there, I’ve met great folks (like you!), I’ve joined up with the Twitter Moms gang, and I am so jazzed to be surrounded by such sharp, fun, people. (Yes, I’m picky about the Tweeps I follow!)

    I have a lot of worries about the world and our country right now, like you do, but if I concentrate on worrying all the time, I won’t be doing myself, my family, my friends or my country much good. So I turn to Twitter for a quick laugh, some thoughtful tweets and some amazing links.

    The things I’ve learned in the past few months, and the people I’ve met, are pretty darned wonderful. Thanks for being one of them.

  • Julie Roads says:

    You are so welcome, Kathy. Well put!

  • Julie,
    There aren’t too many blog posts I revisit more than once, but this one gets that vote. I decided that another happy button would have to be fresh cut flowers. Paying $3 to get a bouqet and put it in your living room does so much to brighten the whole environment. Add some 87% dark chocolate to it and I am in hedonist heaven. :-)
    Vicki

  • Julie Roads says:

    2 visits! I’m so honored. I love your latest happy button idea. I have a new one too: Jon Stewart. And, although I do find him utterly adorable – it’s about his hilarity.

  • Jon Stewart – total happy. One of my favorite things about him, beyond his hilarity, is how sincere he seems about having a true discussion about important things without talking “in code” as he says. Civility and intelligence is so happy.

    Okay, brains aside, can I just say two words?
    Gabriel Aubry.

    Nuff said! LOL!
    Vicki

  • Julie Roads says:

    Vicki: Umm…Thanks for that…didn’t know about Gabriel. Delish. Made my morning.

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