Approaching the end of a positive year

~ beetleypete

As 2017 draws to a bleak and chilly close, I have cause to reflect.

After decades of seeing a glass half full, and of always looking on the black side, I made a decision.
2017 would be approached with a positive outlook. Problems would be faced head on, adversity shunned, and foul weather ignored. As I was all-too aware that I would be 65 last March, I knew that I had to do something to drag myself out of the trough of melancholy that had blighted so much of my life.

So, I determined to look for the good in everything. Even the worst things have a good side, surely?
I did my best, I assure you. Without going into detail, this past seven months have been some of the most difficult of my life. But I didn’t let on, and refused to just lie down and let it all roll over me. I looked for those elusive positives, and to a large extent, I found them. It might have taken some searching, I admit that. But they were there all the time, I just had to recognise them.

Our short holiday was plagued by bad weather. On the positive side, we managed to miss most of it, enjoying our time between the downpours. Dog-walking was often a chore. Finally tiring of the same old walk, I tried other places. But Ollie wasn’t impressed, and lusted after his routine. So, I knuckled down, stuck to the same boring trudge, and tried to find the positives. They were staring me in the face. Ollie was happy. That was the positive, and after all, dog-walking is all about the dog, not the owner.

Events in our personal lives have been less easy to reconcile. The death of a beloved aunt, and one of my dearest and oldest friends. Hard to find positives there. But at least they were no longer suffering. Their lives were remembered with love and respect, and we were all better for knowing them. That’s a positive, if I ever saw one. Other life issues had to be dealt with in much the same way. This happened, that happened. But it meant that we no longer had to put up with X, or suffer Y. Looking for the positives takes off the edge of events that might otherwise lay you low.

Christmas looms, quickly followed by the futuristic-sounding year of 2018. Whether or not I can continue with such a positive attitude next year remains to be seen. The way things are at the moment, that’s a 50-50 chance. But I will do my best, and try to make it work again.

Staying positive, until the end of 2017.

 

76 thoughts on “Approaching the end of a positive year”

  1. Very motivational. I think thats a great resolution. Going into everyday, into every
    situation with a positive outlook, trying to see the good is all that matters at the end of the day. I am so sorry for your recent loss of loved one. May this new year bring joy and happiness to you🙂

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    1. Thanks very much for your thoughts and kind comment, TC.
      I had an awful year in 2016, and decided I couldn’t go into 2017 with the same mindset.
      It isn’t easy to constantly see the positives, but in time, it becomes a way of life.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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      1. So sorry 2016 was a rough time period for you. Yeah it certainly is not easy taking on a different approach and mindset than what your used to, especially after hard times but I truly hope this year is different for you in the best way possible.

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  2. I commend you for staying positive throughout 2017 and am inspired by your example. I remain sorry for your losses but also agree on the positives of such people being a part of your life. I had my first holiday in 6 years and can honestly say getting out and about regardless of weather is a good thing. Merry Christmas Pete and bring on 2018 which sounds futuristic to me too. Where’s my flying car?!

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  5. I love your post. I do. Thank you for reflecting. Your words struck me like a bolt of lightening: “They were there all the time. I just had to recognize them.” Seems like you had a breakthrough and a road to looking at things differently. That’s the spark plug to start the car. Here’s to 2018!

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  8. What a fantastic post Pete!!! I need to work on having this mindset. Even though I am enthusiastic and I love others deeply, I find the hardest battle is to forgive myself and think about the positive out of my current situations. I try my best but when I stumble I am right back to the self hatred. I can forgive anyone that has ever hurt me and love all those who have backstabbed me and pray for them after the hurt but to think positive, have good self esteem and to forgive myself has been the hardest battle of my life. Your post has inspired me to keep trying and to also write a post that is similar in a sense but would love the feedback. Reading your post has given me hope and I think I want to work on the same thing as you for the New Year. Focusing on all the negative has brought me down into a dark hole and if I would just start trying to change my thoughts about simple things then I will be able to move on. I had a sleepless night so I am rambling and sorry if this is coming out the wrong way but truly your post has gave me an epiphany in a sense. Thanks for sharing as always Pete! I always enjoy reading your posts!😗🤗🌹❤🥂

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    1. Not rambling at all, Dani.
      I am very pleased that this post might inspire you to see some positives in the year to come. Just start with the small things, and build up slowly. Face the bad stuff head-on, then try to see a positive side to it, however small that might seem at the time. It doesn’t always work of course, but more often than not it is a great help.
      Best wishes as always, Pete. x

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  9. Sorry to hear about the passing of your aunt and friend….I try to stay positive at this time of year but both my parents died in December…my mother passed on Christmas Day 1979 and I miss her every day…..I stay as positive as I can for my granddaughter she still looks forward to the season…I apologize for not reading and commenting…I will try to do better….chuq

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  10. Thanks, Pete. If you have managed to keep the positivity up for such a challenging year, I hope 2018 does not put you to such test and you can keep smiling (or shrugging your shoulder and turning a new leaf). Love to Ollie, your wife, and have a lovely holiday season (whatever that means for you).
    All the best and thanks for all your support.

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    1. Both 1952 baby boomers!
      Compared to what you have to put up with, at least my everyday life and living conditions are fine, Ron. I think you do very well to rise above life in that crazy place. 🙂
      Best wishes to you and Michelle for a great year ahead.
      Pete.

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  16. Those dang curved balls we have had our share this year and like you have had to really look for the positives at times..But it is sunny here and that is a big positive except it is cold here today and was yesterday…16 degrees… the positive my friends and family in the Uk are not so blessed a tad colder than that methinks…But loved the snowy pictures they sent. … So onwards towards 2018 I hope it is kinder to you Pete 🙂

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      1. HThank you Pete and I do hope next year brings peace and good health to you both .. .It is freezing here today..but the sun is shining..but not as cold as it is for you.. Take care Carol 🙂

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  17. I hope you can find a copy of a kid’s book called “What Good Luck, What Bad Luck.” It would give you a good laugh and also show the constant interactions of the positive and negative in our lives.

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  18. I’m looking forward to 2018, as this will be the year Chris and I launch our songwriting venture. I also look forward to writing at least the first half of the sequel to the detective novel I finished yesterday morning. It won’t be an easy year for me, but that’s okay because I’ve never had an easy year! When you’ve faced adversity all your life, you know how to handle it! As long as we’re breathing, and our mind is more or less intact, we have every reason to be positive!

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  19. Dear Pete, I urge you to continue to find and to see the good and the positive in even the worst scenario. With this attitude comes joy and new energy with which you overcome obstacles that life throws into path from time to time. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  20. Pete, we all appreciate your honesty and candor – sharing the highs and the lows of your year – we all have gone through 2017 with our own successes and frustrations, and I hope you continue to whistle as Monty Python did: “always look on the bright side of life…”

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  21. Well done for doing the positive bit, Pete, and I’m sure you can sustain it for 2018! Have a lovely Christmas, all the best for the New Year…. I’m getting this in early

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    1. The same to you, Sue. Thanks for all the great photos during the past few years, and for all your engagement on my blog too. I hope that 2018 is a better year for you health-wise, and look forward to all your photo challenges.
      My very best wishes to you, Pete.

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  23. Good for you, Pete. Honestly, to let yourself slip and embrace the negative will only make you feel worse. That said, sorrow has to be felt–to ignore the bad because you don’t want to be negative is just unhealthy. Sometimes, the days and the events of life suck!

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    1. I might just email you, and let you know what’s been going on. Then again, you probably don’t need the grief!
      Best wishes, to my intelligent and very kind friend. You are treasured, believe me.
      Pete. x

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    1. Many thanks, Peggy. And for all your fascinating travel posts this year, as well as your engagement on my blog.
      I hope that you have a nice summery Christmas down under!
      Best wishes you you, and of course Poor John too.
      Pete.

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  25. You’ve done well Pete under a great deal of adversity. Let’s hope 2018 is a very good year. I still can’t get my head around the fact that it will soon be 2020 – now THAT does sound futuristic!

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    1. Thanks very much, Susanne.It has been great to get to know you (through John), and to read your fascinating posts about life in the PNW! (As well as seeing your lovely photos)
      My best wishes to you, and to all your family. Pete.

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