All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.


~The Buddha

Happy October!  It feels like fall here in South Jersey this morning.  We had an overnight low of 48 (8.8 C) and it's only supposed to be in the 60's today.  Just what you'd expect for fall.  Often, it stays hot well into October but this year nature seems determined to stay on schedule.

I made a quasi-promise to myself back in January that I was going to focus on positive things and to encourage positive things in my life.  I have tried to keep that promise but often fall short.  Especially with all of the negative things at work.  I listen to people complain day after day and it wears me down until I 'm doing the same thing.  Once in a while I get up the gumption to say "wait, I'm doing ok, it's not all bad" but more often I just make agreeing noises and let it go. 

Today's Buddhist inspiration reminded me that I am in charge of the tone of my thoughts.  If I want happiness and goodness to be around me, I have to put it there.  It's a timely thought. I have been kind of down and sad (understandably) but I want to climb out of that hole and stand in the happy sunlight again.  So, i am thinking of one or two things that make me happy.  Just one or two, although in reality there are many.  Maybe  during Blogtoberfest, I'll take some time to recognize the good things in my life each day.  For today,  I am happy that  Em has recovered most of herself back (It brought tears to my eyes when I watched her run up a flight of steps.  I am so very grateful she's ok).  I am happy that I work with compassionate, caring people (I'm looking at some beautiful fall flowers someone gave me yesterday).  I'm happy I have a job that allows me to fulfill my need to help.  Three things to smile about today.

What makes you smile?