The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly was a Clint Eastwood movie back in the days of Spaghetti westerns. Life is full of the good, the bad, and the ugly, but what we focus on often determines our quality of life, would you not agree? It has been said that we can be happy and healthy if we focus on the good, count our blessings every day, and don’t dwell on our losses. Who hasn’t had losses? I lost my son when he was 27 years old, and that loss will live with me the rest of my life. But I’ve learned to be thankful for what I do have and for my good life in Sequim, my good friends, and for my incredible children. This photo is part of my family on a Sequim beach some years ago. I love my son and young daughter in this photo and my daughter-in-law and granddaughter, too.
I hope you are enjoying life and that you are content and happy. If you are retired in Sequim, chances are you’re experiencing the best phase of your life. Sequim is an incredible place to live, and many of us have said the same thing, “I don’t plan to ever live anywhere else.” That’s unusual because as you may know, the average American moves about every five years. Not so in Sequim. When people move to Sequim, many never move, but for those who do, the average retiree lives in Sequim for 15 to 20 years in the same home. Even then, many have told me they would not move except they are in their 80s now and want to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
I would say that even in Sequim, we need to safeguard our attitudes and our happiness. Remember the title, The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly? Well the folks with bad and ugly attitudes are out there, and they won’t hesitate to try to ruin your day. So safeguard every day. Carefully choose the people you associate with. It makes a big difference in your own happiness.
I think we need to safeguard not only who we associate with, but where we spend time on the Internet. I would recommend not spending much time, if any, on social media sites where people who are in the “bad” or “ugly” category cast insults constantly, share their bitter attitudes, and as you probably know from the school of hard knocks, there are those who constantly jump to conclusions and draw all kinds of false conclusions about one of your comments or someone else’s. Social media can be a place where vicious attacks can ruin your day in a heartbeat, especially if you’re a sensitive person. Trust me, it does no good to try to persuade an irrational person on the Internet with facts. Such people care nothing for the facts, and they will attack you for anything or nothing at all, just because you have a different opinion. This is why such people are in the “the bad and the ugly” category.
I will testify that living in the “good” category is so much more rewarding. Those who are the happiest and content in Sequim are those who have learned to mature in every way, and they are good people, considerate, generous, kind, full of grace and mercy toward others, and they focus on the good in life. This is who makes up the majority in Sequim, and it probably helps explain why there are so many friendly people in Sequim who go around smiling all the time.
Last Updated on October 12, 2019 by Chuck Marunde
