two minutes well spent

I woke up in a strangely cheerful mood. Mornings and I don't get along too well, so for me to be so happy that early is a very rare occurrence. This unexplainable good mood lasted until I came from classes. After that, for reasons unknown, a wave of intense pessimism and apathy washed over me. My cheerful mood was eliminated instantly and I became cross and crabby.

This foul mood wormed its way deep into my heart and wouldn't be banished for the greater part of the afternoon. My lovely roommate Hannah listened very patiently as I whined and carried on about all of my "problems." She didn't even judge me when I became so distraught and flustered that dropped to the kitchen floor and just sat there, wallowing in self-pity. She was kind, understanding, and empathetic.

Then she did something magical. She set the kitchen timer for two minutes, sat me down at the table, and told me that I had to list all of the things in this world that I love until the timer rang. I complied and she started the timer. I began to list the things that I love (I love bedtime. I love my family. I love baking.) and, though it sounded a little silly, (I love fuzzy socks. I love General Conference. I love reading.) I felt the negativity and grumpiness being scooped out of me with each thing I listed. By the time the timer rang, I felt just as cheerful as I did this morning when I woke up.

I'm telling you--it was magic. It was also a very real example to me of the difference that a positive attitude can make in your life. Two minutes was all it took to transform self-pity into gratitude for all of my blessings.

And honestly? It was the most productive two minutes of my entire day.