Always Look on The Bright Side of Life

Hey Friend,

How’s it going? What have you been up to this week?

The last few weeks I’ve been busy pitching, which is completely out of my comfort zone. I’ve just received a no back from one of my pitch recipients but I’m handling it pretty well. I mean, it’s the first no and someone has to say yes eventually, right?

My faith keeps me hopeful. But my six-year-old son lives it out – Every. Single. Day.

Prime example was a couple of weeks ago when we had a guy in doing some work on our bathroom. He and Bubs became fast friends over a few weekends. On his last visit, Bubs walked into the bathroom and said ‘What are you doing?’

Not ‘Good morning’ or ‘Hello’. No. Just ‘Tell me what you’re up to now.’ I cringed as I listened from the bedroom and almost called Bubs to tell him off for his lack of greeting, but their conversation took off and I didn’t want to interrupt.

The workman, Joseph, asked Bubs why he wasn’t at football practise. Bubs replied:

‘Because my dad didn’t want to take me.’

Joseph chuckled and I imagined he was raising his eyebrows too.

Bubs added: ‘Which is pretty ridiculous as he’s always trying to force me to go.’

This caused more laughter and the subject was changed to Superheroes. Bubs started off by explaining that The Flash is better than Batman (let’s be honest – everyone is better than Batman. He’d be nothing without Alfred). This led to a deeper conversation on enjoying life (I kid you not).

What follows is a battle of wills – negative versus positive; hope versus despair; novice versus seasoned debater!

JOSEPH: Well, you enjoy your life now while you’re young because when you become an adult, you’ll just have to work to pay bills (way to kill the vibe, Joseph).

BUBS: So, you won’t be able to play games anymore because you have to pay bills?

J: Nah. You’ll have too much to do. I used to play on my PlayStation all the time but now it’s just gathering dust.

B: Well, when I get older I’m going to be an inventor. So, I’ll work and just take a break to enjoy myself.

J: An inventor? That’s good, that’s good. But you’ll still have to work loads to pay bills (what’s this obsession with bills, Joseph?).

B: So, you don’t even have a break for special occasions like your birthday?

J: There’s no point. If I take the day off for my birthday, all my friends are still working so I’d just be on my own. It’s not fun sitting down doing nothing. Most men would rather be doing something.

B: Hmm… Well, I’ll just take a break and enjoy my life.

Joseph chuckled and I think he realised at this point that you simply can not win a debate with my son.

Bubs asked him what else he liked to do and Joseph mentioned riding on his motorbike but that he couldn’t do that anymore because of work (sensing a theme?).

B: But you could ride your bike to work, then you’d get to enjoy it.

J: Yeah, but it’s not practical because I’ve got a lot of tools to carry.

B: You know like those Deliveroo drivers? And they have those boxes on the back? You could get one of those bikes and put your tools in it. Then you could ride your bike to work!

In Bubs’ mind, there is always a solution, there is always another way.

I pray that he will always enjoy his life no matter how old he gets 😊

As for me, the knockbacks and rejections will happen – such is the life of a writer. But, I remain hopeful that one day (soon) I will start hearing those yeses.

I encourage you to do something that is about enjoying your life this week and let me know what you did so I can cheer you on!

Speak soon xx