While this space is mainly about easy, homemade recipes, it is also about telling stories, and, to a lesser extent, my views on life in general.
Although this post doesn’t discuss food, it explores perspective and how we choose to see the world. If you came here looking for a recipe or a kitchen tip, I hope this piece still resonates with you.
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I CHOOSE TO
FOCUS ON BEAUTY INSTEAD
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Some days it’s easier to stare at storm clouds than to notice the thin streak of sunlight breaking through.
On other days we fixate on worries, losses, and hardships instead of acknowledging small joys and quiet victories. While it’s natural to notice what we lack, it often serves us better to appreciate and give thanks for the blessings we do have.
Born with a generous measure of optimism and given the name Felicia—meaning “the happy one”—I’ve always leaned toward a sunny, cheerful outlook.
I’m the person who treats a traffic jam as extra time to read the current book, or who laughs when a passing car splashes puddle water on my coat. I tend to approach a messy room and search for one small, beautiful spot to admire. Where others see broken shapes, I often see contrast and texture that make the scene interesting.
I choose to focus on the beauty instead of the mess, because some things aren’t worth our worry.
That inclination to find the bright spot in darkness has drawn me to like-minded people—bloggers and friends who notice the texture of cracked porcelain as delicate detail, not mere damage. I’m pulled toward those who can rise from long stretches of difficulty and still greet the world with genuine joy—not because their lives are perfect, but in spite of the challenges they face.
I find a sincere smile and an unguarded laugh far more beautiful than a perfectly composed, but hollow, expression. At the same time, I naturally step away from those who remain stuck in negativity; I intentionally fill my life with positivity, love, and gratitude.
***
Some people argue that too much optimism is ungrounded—that hopefulness signals denial or naivety.
But must it be that way?
Do we really have to spend our lives squinting at every crack so we miss the warm grain of the wooden floor beneath our feet? Must we wait for misfortune to feel vindicated, or complain so often that people begin to distance themselves to preserve their own peace?
No, it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can wake early and be grateful for the sunrise you witnessed, or leave work late and appreciate an uncrowded subway car. You can choose to live a life of abundance—an existence shaped by joy and attention to beauty.
I’ve found that when you deliberately focus on the good, you naturally shift attention away from the bad. This doesn’t mean ignoring reality, but it does mean deciding where you place your energy.
So try this with me:
Think of one thing that made you smile today, and let it hold your attention for a moment.
You can do it.