Have you ever wondered if you are an optimist or a pessimist? Well, I have. I would like to think that I am an optimist and think that everything is going to turn out fine. I decided this morning that I am really a pessimist.
When I was younger – a lot younger I used to wake up and sing the song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”. Here are the words to the song.
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder
It’s the truth, it’s actual
Ev’rything is satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day, yes sir!
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder
It’s the truth, it’s actual
Ev’rything is satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, feeling this way
Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder
It is the truth, it’s actual… huh?
Where is that bluebird? Mm-hm!
Ev’rything is satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!
So, I began to wonder what changed. Why do I not wake up every morning and want to sing this song. Instead my head is full of worry – what will happen at work, will I still have a job, what if I lose my job, what if…. what if…. I hate being in the land of “what if.” The only thing I can figure is that when I was younger – a whole lot younger I did not wake up every morning and read the paper. Somehow, I decided that waking up early – drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper before anyone else in the house reads the paper was enjoyable and of course would fill my head full of knowledge about the world. Instead I think it has created a person who sees negative things. It is a scary thought – to give up reading the paper with a cup of coffee.
Here are some positives if I were to give up the paper –
To be truthful my family gives my a very hard time about reading the paper first thing. They know that I get irritated – not just a little bit but quite a bit if I have not touched the paper first. (I know I have sharing issues and honestly I am trying to work on it.) I now let them read the classifieds and auto/house buying section while I am reading the rest of the paper. If I gave up the paper it would improve family relations.
It would save money. The paper costs roughly $180 a year.
I could sleep later – No, I can’t sleep later. I could find something inspiring to read. But not too interesting because then that is all I would want to do.
My outlook on life might improve. I would once again be able to wake up and sing “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” instead of worrying about the bills, job, ect.
Here is the downside maybe – Am I more knowledgeable today for reading the paper that I was the day before? Well, that is a big question to ponder and I suppose I will spend some time today thinking about whether I am more knowledge today than yesterday.
I do think that I am just going to print out these words, visually these words, and see if my outlook on life improves. But wait this morning I just read and article about titled “Why imagining success doesn’t get you there”…….
Reflections 
Well… here are my thoughts:
1. I didn’t know you woke up to that song … It is so funny to know that because that is the song I love to wake up and think about… It amazes me sometimes when I find out these little tidbits about you and I just smile real big… I LOVE THAT SONG and I do wake up thinking it!… (favorite color… green… lol and I remember why too) You bring up a very good point… when you are a kid you don’t have the worries of the world period! as an adult you have grown up and have become responsible… So maybe every now and then the worries of the world need to be forgotten and to try to think like a kid again. (skip the paper… because it brings the world into your thoughts)
2. I was glad when Mom and Dad told me they were not going to take the paper anymore… Mainly, for a couple reasons. I don’t like reading the paper except maybe on Saturdays… and that is pretty much it. Mom was very diligent at getting me the paper… and sometimes I just didn’t want it because then I would read all that negative stuff plus I felt like I had to read it because it was given to me. YUK! She tells me I am uninformed. Well, sometimes I want to be uninformed… not on everything but somethings yes. Or if I find out something from someone… well I am informed at that point. I don’t wake up thinking about the world and what is happening. what a relief.
3. As for the family thing,,, yes I don’t live with you all the time and I am sure you are well known by your family not to touch the paper before you touch it. That part of your personality tickles me because we all know that about you and LOVE YOU ANYWAY!!!! I patiently wait for my snippets of paper when I visit but I can tell you even when I get the paper from you I scan it and remember why I don’t like reading it!!!
Fae,,, I love you very much… I hope you find away to wake to Zip-a-dee-doo-dah again… and not the worries that sometimes being a responsible adult brings..
Love,
Mary
Amazing the things we learn about each other. You got to remember as kids we sometimes did not like each other very much. I am so glad that as we have grown up that we have discovered “what being sisters” is all about. I love you, too!!!!