Why Finding Your Own Good Things is a Good Thing
This is it. This is the last, final regular Good Thing. And you're here for it. You're sitting, reading this on your computer, or on your phone, or on some sort of tablet, stone or otherwise. You're here to witness it. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Back in 2019, some 99 Good Things ago, when I started writing this newsletter, nothing in even my wildest imagination could have prepared me, or prepared any of us, for what was to come in this big ole world.
Around a year ago, I wrote that I would keep on bringing the Good Things to your inbox for as long as the pandemic raged but, with the pandemic sequels continuing, it’s time for me to let go of the reigns and to instead help you to find your own Good Things. To take off your training wheels and let you ride that bike on your own.
If I was to think back to what I have learned from writing a newsletter about Good Things for nearly two years, it would be the simple realisation that there are Good Things everywhere, you just have to know how to find them. However, this comes with the obvious caveat that as a middle-class thirty-something straight white male, my perspective of the world, and the Good Things I find, are going to be different to what others see.
And this leads me to where I leave this world of regular Good Things and to where you join it. To where I pack your backpack and send you off into the world with just what you need to see the Good Things in your own life.
If you want to begin the journey, here are the 5 steps to get you started.
How to find your own Good Things
Step 1
This is the most monumental step, and it’s often the hardest thing to do. Because the first thing you need to do is stop. Simply stop. Let the distractions drift past you. Create a quiet moment to not do anything but breathe.
Step 2
Got that breathing down pat? Good. Now, you need to observe. And not just observe what's around you, but observe what's within you. Sooner or later, you'll begin to notice things. In particular, you'll begin to notice the Good Things in your life.
Step 3
To be certain that the things you just observed are your Good Things, your next step is to imagine what it would be like if you didn't have those things in your life.
If there are some that didn't resonate as strongly, take them off the list.
What Good Things are still there?
Step 4
So you know your Good Things. You know what they are, and you've tested their merit. Now, it's time to acknowledge and be grateful for them. Because if they've come this far, then they're clearly worth holding onto. Write them down. Tell a friend. Tell the world. It’s your choice.
Step 5
Acknowledged some Good Things? Great. Now repeat these steps to find even more Good Things.
You can consider this a lifelong process. Because the more you notice those Good Things, the more you'll see other Good Things.
If this newsletter's 100 posts proves anything, it's that there are a lot of Good Things out there. It’s been a privilege to help show you some of them. Now it’s your turn to go looking.
And that is why Finding Your Own Good Things is a very Good Thing.
Good Things really are everywhere, and I mean everywhere.
Follow the steps and you'll find all the Good Things you need.
‘Chris, does that mean you're done with finding Good Things?’ More on that after the squiggle.
Good Things, MiddleSquiggles, and what happens next
So, you've got your backpack. You've got your steps. You're on your way. You're all set. But before you let that screen door slam, you might be wondering what I'm going to be doing while you're all out there finding your own Good Things. And it's a fine question to ask.
My next task will be a debrief. I believe that with every project, no matter how large or small, an artist has an obligation to provide some breakdown of their method and thought process. I've benefitted greatly from those breakdowns over the years, and I aim to contribute my own for others to benefit. You can expect to see that as late as next week.
Beyond that, I'll take a little time away from creative projects. Not too long, but enough to recharge my batteries. I've got some fun things in mind for the future, and I'd like to bring you all along for the ride, but I'm not quite ready to share them yet.
And then, well then I might just write an occasional irregular Good Thing.
Got a Good Thing worth sharing?
Amazing! If it’s something you think would work well as a Good Thing post for all to read, hit me up and it might become one of the sporadic irregular Good Things.