Simple Pleasures–from an Upbeat Author

I like that word upbeat. But sometimes in life, it gets turned around and we feel just beat up. A good friend of mine who has become a lifeline since she moved from Tennessee to a few miles down the road from me, has decided to do something about the beaten moments of life. Trish Milburn has turned that frown upside down after reading the book “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. She created a group called Upbeat Authors.  She wanted anyone who joined to share positive thoughts and things that make people smile.  After she posted online, more than two hundred authors responded. Then this week, we launched our happy assault by using the hashtag #upbeatauthors and sharing positive thoughts and images on social media through posts, blogs and tweets. The results have been amazing. And while the authors who are involved are vast, opinionated and come from many different angles and write in different genres, we all stand together on one thing. The world needs more positive words and less hateful, hurtful words.

As a Christian, I’ve been taught to try and lift up others. Some days that’s hard since I can’t even lift myself off the couch. Some days, I don’t even want to get out of bed. But I do, of course. I pray and then I get on with my day. We all have those times when our body hurts, our soul is drowning and our mind is mush. But being involved in something bigger than ourselves can change that bad, sad, mad, attitude.

I have edits to do, a blog to write, and some cover images to suggest. I also have PT for my aching back and lunch with a good friend who will definitely bring some upbeat happiness to my life. I also need to pack for an annual conference and I could use a pedicure. And it’s raining yet again. A blessing but still …. I need some sunshine. I could go on about other things distracting me, but I won’t. I intend to be positive. I intend to find the simple pleasures in life.

This morning, after the rain stopped, I stood and stared out the window and watched the sun shift over my back yard. It made the wet grass glisten and sparkle. It made the green trees fresh and new again. It renewed the determination in my soul to be still and know that God will see me through. I had my friend Sandie Bricker on my mind. A talented writer and a sweet human being,  she died too soon last fall. Sandie was always so positive.

Then I received an e-mail with the subject “Finished” in it. It was about another subject all together, but my iPad batches subjects and the next thing I knew, I had all of these old “Finished” e-mails following that one–most of them from Sandie regarding a project we’d worked on together just before she got ill and passed away. Upbeat. I hear you, Sandie. It never hurts to get a sweet sign from heaven that you need to keep fighting, keep praying and keep hoping.

So I choose to be upbeat. I choose joy. I choose hope. Even when the world seems to be falling apart at the seams. We have a lot of opportunities between sunrise and sunset to be happy. I love posting pictures here to make our readers smile. I hope these will give you an upbeat feeling as you go through your day.  How to you try to stay upbeat and positive. What are some of your simple pleasures?

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Lenora Worth

Lenora Worth writes award-winning romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired and also writes for Tule, Zondervan and Redbud Press. With sixty books published and millions of books in print, she goes on adventures with her retired husband, Don. They have two grown children. Lenora enjoys reading, baking and shopping … especially shoe shopping.

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