2 good things

A few years ago my boss and I were sitting in the office dealing with the usual issues at work. It had been hectic and while some things were going good others were going bad. We were faced with some critical deadlines when I had a thought (it happens).

I looked at my boss and simply said "two things". He looked at me like I had lost any semblance of rational thought which, looking back, may have been partly true. Year ends, tax season and auditors can do that to an accountant.

Anyways, back to what I was saying. He looked at me for a minute and then said "what the heck do you mean 'two things'"? To which I responded"tell me two good things that happened today. Don't think about it, just tell me two good things."

That led to an agreement that at any time of the day we could ask the other guy to state two good things. We were only allowed to do it once a day at most and the two good things could be related to work, home, church, sports, whatever. It did not have to be a specific topic and the only thing that needed to be said was "two things" and at that point, nothing else could be discussed until those two positive things from that day were stated.

I discovered several things from that agreement:

1. You would be amazed at how hard it can be to think of two good things if you are immersed in a hectic or difficult day.

2. Being forced to think of two good things almost immediately turns a bad day on its head. It is very difficult to not feel better when you do realize that good things are happening.

3. It's a lot of fun to be in the middle of a conversation, say the words"two things" and watch the other person's mind click into gear as they try to come up with something.

4. When it is possible that someone can ask you at any time, with no notice, for two good things, you tend to keep trying to spot good things so that you are ready.

Want to have some fun? Find someone you work with or spend a lot of time with. NOT your spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend (too much potential for fights or using it at the wrong time). Then try doing the "two things" process. It can be fun while at the same time it helps to refocus you on the positive things in your life. My boss moved on to another company almost two years ago. We still keep in touch and will occasionally throw out "two good things" at each other. And every time it still brings a smile to my face.

So.....if you're reading this, quick, list two good things. I dare you. :-)