LOOKING FOR THE BLUE SKY

How learning to notice the small moments of good changed my mindset.

𝓗𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓸 𝓕𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓼,

People often describe me as a strong woman.

I’m not sure how to respond to that.

Like most people, I’ve had moments where I have felt anything but strong.

• The first time I fell in love and was rejected.

• The time I had to declare myself bankrupt, with no one to turn to, as I was too embarrassed.

• When I divorced and became a single parent with two young daughters.

• The time I had to have emergency eye surgery for an almost detached retina that could have meant blindness.

Many times, in my life, I have been a nervous wreck and cried bucketloads of tears. In many of those moments, I have felt powerless and alone.

Life brings storms.

It’s not about avoiding them but how we choose to meet them.

We can choose to wallow in negativity, or we can try to find small moments of light and clear sky during the storms.

I have found during my storms, small and big, by looking for something positive in my life, these positive signs start to appear automatically.

Focus shifts, and over time, it has become a habit.

This notion was truly confirmed to me when, a few years ago, I participated in an online challenge to notice something good every day and post it online.

Initially, it felt a little forced.

Then it became a habit.

Then it became a new mindset.

The good moment doesn’t have to be earthshattering. It could be as simple as watching a beautiful butterfly drifting by, or as big as marrying your sweetheart.

This experience trained my mind to look and focus on the positive in my life and, over time, led to a deep sense of gratitude and inner peace.

It has helped me stay grounded and, without overwhelming panic and despair, figure out how best to react to the storms that will continue to pop up.

This has even affected my writing. Last year, I left my corporate job and, with a positive mindset, threw myself into the unknown of travelling and writing. Read more here if you missed this.

I no longer fret about deadlines, feel jealous of other writers or worry about next week.

I am grateful I now get to live my life doing what I love. I write my story, one word at a time, knowing I will get there.

With everything going on in this world, I feel now is a perfect time to remind myself and you to focus on the good ‘news’ in our lives.

Each Sunday, starting today, I will share a short note reflecting on one positive moment in the week.

Building a healthy mindset one positive moment at a time.

I invite you to come along.

Let’s start a positive movement on Substack notes.

Let’s build a healthy mindset together.

Life will continue to bring its share of storms.

But there is almost always a patch of blue sky somewhere, if we remember to look up.

Much love

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Thank you for being part of my writing journey. I hope these stories bring a smile, a tear or a spark of inspiration. Just in time for your next coffee break.

Sal ♡´･ᴗ･`♡

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Until next time, I wish you many cups of coffee (or whatever your beverage of choice may be), creative sparks, and gentle wellness.

Love to hear from you.

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Sal Gallaher

Author of:

Secrets In The Lakes - a romance suspense novel that delves into the themes of friendships, small town secrets, a mysterious death and a young woman’s journey towards love and self-discovery.

Shorter Than a Coffee Break - a collection of short stories

©️ Sal Gallaher 2025

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