I’ve added another step to my end of day list of gratitudes. I still list five things I’m grateful for unique to that day, but then I ask myself: What went right? Sometimes, there’s overlap. The store had all the stuff I needed, I could afford to buy what I needed, and so forth. But sometimes, “What Went Right?” sends me thinking in a slightly different direction.
On my list of five, I probably forgot that getting the heating element in the dryer to come back to life (again) was just a matter of unplugging the darned thing and plugging it back in. Or it didn’t occur to me that the potty responded favorably to a vigorous application of the plunger and, boy, NOT having to call a plumber is just about the definition of something going right. Another version of things going right is when I sit down to write with no particular idea what the next scene should be (this happens about half the time), but the manuscript pulls me in, and the scene that happens is actually… pretty good.
I am focusing on this question for two reasons. First, because it popped up as part of my certified therapeutic riding instructor training. My mentor asked me, after one of my less inspired efforts to teach, what in the lesson had gone right. I had to search and sort for the longest time, but so much had gone right–no tears, no falls, no tantrums, no horses going lame, some fun, some learning, some enjoyable exercise. But I stared at the floor and had to have a big think before I could get out of What Went Wrong mode.
The second reason I’m focusing on What Went Right is because I know our brains are pre-wired (not hard-wired) to focus on what’s wrong, what’s negative, what’s bad. Our chances of survival benefit (up to a point) if we keep the bad stuff top of mind, so we can avoid it happening again or get it fixed. Media, both social and news, exploits this tendency without limit, bombarding us with calamities, disasters, impending doom, and (for variety and human interest) the occasional narrow escape. All of that stuff deserves notice, certainly (big hugs to SoCal, where my parents happily dwelled for more than forty years), but it can’t absorb our entire bandwidth all the time.
We aren’t meant to live, and we cannot thrive, on a steady diet of gloom and despair, and in fact, in my life, things are rarely that daunting for long. Sure, it’s shame the feral cat I’ve been trying to catch for weeks popped out of the net, when I darn-near caught her. Frustrating to say the least, but it’s not the note I want to end my day on. I’ll get her one of these days. I’ll figure out where the Elusive Earl’s black moment is supposed to go. I’ll get Lord Julian’s rigged horse races sorted out, though I accomplished none of 
that today.
And if I let the Houdini cat and unresolved plots stay top of mind, I’m not likely to see all the problems I did solve and all the problems that never arose.
So what’s gone right for you recently, no matter how inconsequential or small it might be?
And… I’m sending out my first round of ARC files for A Gentleman is Sinister Schemes this weekend, so stand by for yours. If you don’t have it by the end of the week and want one, just email me at [email protected] and let me know which device you read on.
Ooo, I like the idea of adding this question to my daily gratitude practice! Thanks, Grace!
And welcome back from your hiatus. It’s nice to “see” you again. Happy New Year.
Ahh, What Went Right! We didn’t have to go to anyone’s house for the “festivities” this year! We got to stay in our own snug, and watch the world go by OUTSIDE! No sibling spats or bruised feelings about WHY the (fill-in-the-blank(s)) didn’t turn out right! Lower stress on us both made the holidays MUCH nicer and far less stressful.
May the New Year bring all the bright and shining treats you all dreampt about last year! Peace and good thoughts to you all.
Ahh, What Went Right! We didn’t have to go to anyone’s house for the “festivities” this year! We got to stay in our own snug, and watch the world go by OUTSIDE! No sibling spats or bruised feelings about WHY the (fill-in-the-blank(s)) didn’t turn out right! Lower stress on us both made the holidays MUCH nicer and far less stressful.
May the New Year bring all the bright and shining treats you all dreamt about last year! Peace and good thoughts to you all.
Welcome back! You were missed! Your question is once again a difficult one for me. You’d think as a former hippy I’d be better at introspection (weren’t we all accused of doing nothing but gazing at our navels?) but I guess I’m too shallow. I’ll go with the fact that I passed my treadmill stress test at the cardiologist’s and don’t have to see her again for 3 months (and that’s more because of my strong family history than my own problems so far). I got 4 brand new books from the library (got on the hold lists early) and enjoyed all four so that makes me happy.
And thanks for the tip about the dryer. Mine has started acting up but I have to keep it going because when we went looking for new appliances (these came with the house and are over 18 years old), we discovered the new models are all too deep to fit in the laundry room (well, if we want to pass between the garage and the kitchen or open and close the 3 doors–closet, garage, kitchen–in there). Ours are labelled “king size” and “extra large capacity” but apparently the American mantra of “bigger is always better” has gone too far this time. I honestly don’t know what to do because so far we haven’t been able to find any that are shallow enough. For some reason, they are all the same width as our current models however. Why would one dimension change but not the other?
I lived in LA for 15 years and my partner is a native and we have relatives on both sides living there. So far, they are all safe but I just saw the fire is moving again (or it’s a new one) so we continue to worry. And, since we lived on the west side, almost all of the areas of devastation are very familiar to us. It’s truly heartbreaking.
I love this What Went Right post!
Here are my positives
1. After 5 years working from home, I went back to the office on January 2nd. I worked 3 days this past week. I (almost) have the computer issues resolved, was excited to see my friends and was proud of myself as I drove in traffic to a new office. It’s a lot to get used to- new office, new computer set up and the desks are different. Have to be in the office 6x a month.
2 Christmas decorations put away.
3completed a new task at work without too much difficulty.
Whew!
4 Turned off the tv and read this weekend.
There is one unhappy corgi in my house. MY Gregory is very upset that I am not working from home, He barked for 35 minutes each day that I left. Then he howled. He sulks by my chair in the living room and runs to greet me when I get home.
He’s 12 1/2 and he’s very used to his routine. Send good thoughts his way this week.
Welcome Back!
Your blog got me thinking and I must say I never thought about it before but you are right….we all tend to criticize rather than commend….see what someone has done wrong rather than all the right things they did (your example with the student rider was great). Many of us must literally reprogram our brains to think and act positively,
You are correct in stating that the world surrounding us unknowingly has affected us to look at the negative and critical which is sad because it’s a known fact positive thinking is so much healthier for our bodies and minds.
For me what has gone right is I am still able to walk despite the fact I find I do not have the same endurance….which is okay as I am much older and at least I still have the ability to do so. Some people do not.
I may not always think as clearly or fast as I used to but at least I have the ability to do so. Yes it takes me a longer to put the puzzle pieces (in my brain)together but at least I can still do it. Some can’t.
I can still get up and get around and get many things done even despite the aches and pain I did not have when younger but at least I stay active despite them. Some can’t
I may be slower in many ways but all that is right because I am still going.
I try to always see the good in people….and myself…rather than the flaws and that just makes me feel good inside and hopefully makes me a kinder person both to myself and others.
As long as I strive to stay positive I can continue seeing the right in all things.
We were finally able to get my husband an appointment with the Pain Management Doctor. And, not only did they get along but, he was very hopeful that he can provide my husband with relief. Hooray!
An unexpected gone right was my old washer dying. Right? Well, yes. Because it did it right before the appliance sale at Lowe’s ended prior to Christmas. I dutifully trudged to the new store on the county road closest to my house & found the matching dryer likewise marked down. Nearly $500 off each! And double the capacity of my antiques!
My turn came & miracle of miracles, in stock. Delivery 3 days hence. So we’re totting things up & my store card (would’ve gotten 0%) gets declined for not using it in years. Grrrrr!
But wait! Dude on the register feels bad & gives me a 10% discount on top of the sale price for my troubles. Good thing!
Come delivery day, they slide me forward multiple slots. Installation guys are short on English, but excellent on getting everything set up for me & balanced, + point out I have a new vent from last year’s vent cleaning & hand me those bits to take back. $24 refund. Good thing!
I begin a marathon of the mountain of dirty & discover the new machines not only hold double, they take half the time! 33 minutes for a huge load of towels? What magic is this??! VERY good thing!!
Best of all, as I’m getting ready to pay the first installment on the credit card I had to use in the moment, I get a 0% no fee balance transfer from another card that loves me for not using it often. Great thing!!
What began as a wet laundry room floor turned into a blessing in disguise that makes my life better all ‘round & cost less than anticipated in the first place. I’m still lifting a little paen of gratitude every time I take a load in to wash & a dreaded chore has become a thing of wonder. That’s an excellent thing.
Hi Grace
Glad to have you back.
I’m mostly a lurker,I believe the term is, but I look forward to reading your blogs every week. Also your books very much.
So, what went right…. I managed to juggle my finances so I can pay all my bill this month…, I did not lose it with a particularly irritating individual, someone who uses other people to do their dirty work but slimes under the radar. Didn’t lose it with the other person either.AND I got to my exercise classes!!! Unmentioned is the fact that I loath exercise.
So looking back, a good week
Mary
We had an unusual winter event of snow. In our area, we always have to be prepared for the power to go out at such times. Yeah! We had a beautiful winter landscape of snow and ice, and a nice warm house to go with it. That is quite alright with me.
Well, I went back to work part time and everything fell apart. After about four months of problems, at least we’ve gotten the our production system back to where employees can enter data. This was last week and there was new problem on top of new problem for those four months.
I’m cautiously grateful while still keeping my fingers crossed. And I have a good book to read – A Gentleman of Sinister Schemes!
For me, what went right is that a dear friend came for a visit for two glorious weeks and we had a wonderful time doing almost nothing but reading. Heaven!
A bit sad to see her leave but we’ll get together again in four month’s time.
I think this is going on the top of the prompt for my middle school quick write assignment tomorrow- and again every week or two. I love it!
And hey, no traffic over the weekend, getting safely down the hill on a snowy morning, and finding out my LA friends are safe this weekend are all things that went well personally this week.
What went right over the holidays:
1) I got to spend time with my youngest grandchild a delightful, jolly 5 month old named Daisy.
2) Despite a dire weather forecast, my flights home went smoothly and on time.
3) My dogs did well at the caregiver’s home
4) I got my laundry done before I ran out of clean underwear.
5) My neighbors didn’t overdo the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, so the dogs were fine and they quit by midnight.
Happy New Year everyone
So good to have you back again, Grace! This is a great question to ask myself each day. And today I have a really good answer. We had about 2-3 inches of snow today and the temperature stayed below freezing. I prefer to walk to church (15 min. each way), but the last year or so I’ve learned that my foot circulation in freezing weather simply won’t keep up.
I decided to wear those chemical “toe warmers” on my socks in my insulated hiking boots and they kept my toes warm well into the afternoon!
Huge relief to know that I won’t get frostbite if I keep walking for exercise this winter which is the only exercise I really enjoy.
What was that old slogan…”Better living through chemistry”?? I think so altho’ I don’t remember what the product was…
And I’ve been pining for Lord Julian… I would just love an ARC if you have enough!
PS I just found an ARC link in my mailbox! Thank you so much, Grace!
Grace, welcome back! And may the year 2025 bring you many good things.
I have a very nice thought to add to the comments today:
When we repeatedly persist in a line of creative thinking that does align with what we want to live and experience, that does form part of the world that we want to inhabit and recognize as our own…we are creating the neural pathways of that world!
Aaaaand…many thanks for A Gentleman of Sinister Schemes!
What went right? Well, my husband got up early and shoveled snow before it could freeze to ice. So we have a nice clear sidewalk unlike some other folks, who are trying to chop up the ice. That first snow was heavy and wet. The later snow was lovely and powdery. Another thing gone right!
Excellent post, especially after a week when Meta ended fact checking, our PM resigned and then prorogued Parliament with no successor or proper government in sight for months, and Mr T announced his desire to annex our country (does he realize that King Charles is our head of state?) So, thank you for forcing me to stop and consider what went right — my son in Dublin phoned to say he’s off to a cracking start to the year in his job, my latest knit design is working out both mathematically and aesthetically, and here it is the middle of January and we have practically no snow on the ground — the snow shadow falls on the US side of Lake Ontario.
What went right: 1) reading Grace’s advice for finding a positive to offset the negatives; 2) getting to Genius on (NYT’s) Spelling Bee; 3) getting laughs from daughters and friends via a silly text. Simple stuff.
In the immediate lately, there has not been a lot right. We have a house under construction, frigid temps, insane propane costs to keep the basement in the house under construction above freezing, and my husband works remotely for The Man. However, as of yesterday, we have a roof. This is insanely exciting. No more shoveling off the first floor, and the ability to finally dehumidify the basement and insulate it. I finally read the ARC copy from Grace (and posted my reviews). I think it’s going to be the little things for a while, but I’ll take them.