A few weeks ago I was in the LAX airport and I saw a “Life is Good” store. You may be familiar with this brand, they make clothes, hats, mugs, and all sorts of products with the words “life is good” on them. I’d seen people wearing this stuff before, but I’d never seen where it was sold. I was so excited. I spent about thirty minutes in the store and bought some hats, shirts, mugs, and magnets for myself and my family. It felt good to buy this stuff and I was excited to give it to Michelle and Samantha, and wear it myself.

Life IS good and it is nice to acknowledge that. I think that many of us have a hard time saying that because for us to consider life to be good, we think it has to be “perfect.” Last night I was up late sending out some emails and doing some work. Michelle came into my office after she got Samantha down to bed and pulled me outside into the backyard. It was a warm, beautiful night and she said she wanted to show me something. I was curious, confused, and in all honesty a little annoyed because I was in the middle of something that seemed “important” to me. When we got out into the backyard Michelle said, “See what a beautiful night it is - the weather is just right, the sky is clear, and it feels peaceful out here. Life is good! We have a great life and since we have been here in this house so many incredible things have happened in our lives.” I stood there looking into her eyes and thinking to myself, embarrassingly, “What does she want?” It took me a few moments to realize she didn’t want anything and there wasn’t anything she was going to “show” me…she had brought me outside to remind me of the great life we had.

Even though I do my best to live my life in the present moment and to appreciate all of the “good stuff” around me, it is still a challenge for me in the midst of my daily experience to do this. I was grateful for Michelle pulling me out of my office last night and taking me into the backyard to figuratively “smell the roses.”

We have to do this all the time. Life is only good if we say it is and if we look at the good stuff in life. Truthfully, life is good, it is bad, and it is everything in between. It is not black and white, it is filled with color and complexity. The more we take the time to focus on the good stuff in our lives, in others, and in ourselves, the more we are able to appreciate the magic and miracle life is all the time.

I appreciate companies like the “Life is Good” clothing company. They are taking a positive message and creating a successful business that uplifts and inspires people. Their products remind us to pay attention to the good things around us and within us. If you are interested in their products, check out their website at http://www.lifeisgood.com

Today, see if you can notice some of the many places where it is obvious that “life is good.” We always find what we look for…so, look for the good stuff.

With Love and Peace,

Mike