A Sanity-Saving Hack

Posted on by Victoria

I love a good Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, don’t you? There are many gems to choose from but when I stumbled across these words recently they gave me pause when I needed it. It’s been nearly two years since I wrote about my love of the quote. Nice to visit you again, old friend:

“The measure of mental health is the disposition to find good everywhere.”

That’s a challenge at the moment for all sorts of reasons, but the reminder that my own mental health swings in the balance and is even partly within my control is empowering.

Self-talk: Look for the good when and where you can, Vicki.

It’s tempting to dwell in the persistent negative and maddening current events and give into doom paralysis. Don’t misunderstand me; this is not to say I’m languishing and silent. I am vocal and active but I also need to remember to see the small moments and celebrate them.

One such encounter came yesterday when hubster Paul and I saw a pair of sweet deer bound through the backyard. I’ve worried about our friends, given the extreme cold we’ve experienced here in the Midwest. Plenty of people tell me there’s no need for concern.

“The deer are bred for this weather – they love it!”

I harrumph. They’re relegated to eating pine needles, for goodness sake. That’s hardly appetizing and how DO they stay warm and have enough energy left to flee the equally hungry coyotes?

When the pair popped into the backyard, I’m not sure who was more startled – the furry ones or the humans. I scrambled to grab two apples and as I tip-toed onto the deck, intent on lobbing something juicy their way, Paul smiled and said:

“They’re new guys, these two. You’re gonna freak ’em out when you crack open the door.”

Of course he was right. Despite turning the doorknob in super slo-mo, eager to avoid the sound of creaking wood, they scurried away, even though I told them I had breakfast for them. By the time the apples hit the ground, the deer were long gone, leaping into the nearby field.

Hoping they’d circle back, I smiled. Grateful for their brief visit. Wishing them well. Wishing them warmth and safety; happy to spot a pair and not the occasional singleton who looks both hungry and lonely when she’s popped by this winter.

And Emerson? Gosh darn it. He knew things, didn’t he? Finding the good. Deploying observational skills as a sanity-saving hack. I can’t say I’m down to find good ‘everywhere’ but finding it somewhere…anywhere? I’ll take it.

-Vicki 😊

Find Good Everywhere

Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.

Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.

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56 thoughts on “A Sanity-Saving Hack”

  9. This is such a sweet story, dear Vicki. There’s nothing like a good RWE quote and a delightful story from you to remind us of our ability to find good and do good! Thank you for the inspiration and great start to my day!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  11. Emerson? Bah-humbug. I think I need to add this quote to book of quotes! “Self-talk: Look for the good when and where you can, Vicki.” I too am trying to remind myself to look for the small wins. They’re out there. We just have to remind ourselves to keep looking. And keep an eye out. I bet your deer friends make a return visit!!! They know where to get the good apples.

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    1. Thanks for the smile, Brian! I love that we’re feeling the same way…trying to keep our spirits up, looking for the wins. I’ll let you know if the deer return to nosh on those apples. If not them…the bunnies might? 🥰

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  12. RW’s quote seems a bit ambitious to me but, I have to be honest,, yours seems not ambitious enough. Instead of “Look for the good when and where you can,” how about “See the good that’s out there.”

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  14. rwe has so many wonderful quotes and I think you are absolutely right about how to get through tough times by looking for the good. I saw a really good affirmation this morning that read, ‘while standing in this hurricane of stupidity, I remain a bright, sunny spot by remaining well informed.’

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  15. I love your backyard deer stories, Vicki. It’s nice that you have new visitors and hopefully those apples will go to their intended users!

    Life is filled with so much unsettling news these days and I hope we can continue to find the good and the great in each day!

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  17. I chuckled when you talked about turning that doorknob in slow mo. I know exactly what you mean. Been there.
    And yes, focus on the little joys and simple beauty while we wade through the muck.
    The deer’s visit is part of that beauty. 💕

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  18. I’ll copy Life with Alegria’s comment because I also chuckled at you slowly opening the door and tossing out apples. Hopefully, the deer returned for the tasty treats. And that’s a marvelous quote from Emerson. Feels like hearing bird song while walking in winter woods. 🌞

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  19. I’ve had similar experiences with our deer and other wildlife here. Wonderful Quote. Putting positive things out into the universe is so important, especially now – thank you for seeing that and nurturing all that is good in the world. ❤️💞

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  21. Emerson ‘got it’. I want to say it takes a bright mind to see that finding good makes a difference, but that’s not true. Emerson was bright enough to write about , yet anyone can find goodness. My favorite quote about goodness is from John Phillips: “Goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous. Both united form the noblest character and lay the surest foundation of usefulness to mankind”.

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