I recently had to get rid of my computer keyboard. Mine had a fatal flaw: the “+” key was stuck. Constantly inserting an infinite amount of little plusses into every record, every field, every document, every spreadsheet, every email, every search bar. I tried removing the willful key, but all that did was leave my keyboard looking sad and incomplete while still remaining in the top spot of the infinite-plus-key-entering leaderboard. So, a new keyboard it was. Problem solved.
It’s been a little over a month now since parting ways with the broken keyboard, however, that little plus key is still leaving its mark, but this time, in a much different way.
I set it on my desk and kind of just forgot to throw it out. But the longer it sat there, the more I didn’t feel right about tossing it. Sounds ridiculous, right? But every time I look at it, I see this simple, tiny, tangible reminder to stay on the plus side of things; to really make an effort to stay positive even when (especially when) it feels like things have gotten to be too much and I don’t really have full control of the wheel. I’ve glanced over at it a bunch when I am a little overwhelmed, or frustrated, or even content but a little restless, and each time I’m reminded that I’m focusing on the wrong things. I ask myself what’s good, not what’s bad and realize it’s all okay - and I know right then that I just need to remind myself of all of the positive things in this crazy beautiful life. The stresses I have are because I have lots and because I am lucky. Being overwhelmed means I’m lucky to have a job and a family to keep me busy, being sad reminds me that I am passionate and sensitive which makes me a good mom and a caring friend, being tired means I have found lots of things I want to try and do and I am lucky to be able to fill my life with them. Its funny how the littlest things can help change your entire mindset. Even when I’m not home, I find that every once in a while I take a deep breath and remind myself to stay on the plus side of things. Who knew that a teeny, tiny, obstinate little key would turn out to be so positive?
