July 24, 2020 – The seventh blog in the RestorationAge

Life is kind of indescribable right now. It makes me speechless actually. The hot, oppressive weather doesn’t help anything. Some days I feel I take two steps forward, but then I trip on something, sending me back to the start. As frustrating as some days are, I do feel a good change is in the air. I’m not able to put my finger on it exactly, but it’s there. I have to believe it. Life is not pause-able, it marches on regardless. What I’m focused on is staying in my lane and controlling the controllable. At the top of that list are my own thoughts, feelings, beliefs and moments of clarity of the things that bring me joy, amaze me and lead to absolute gratitude. Gratitude always brings a warm feeling, which is so much better than the cold feeling of anger.

I was reading on a friend’s Instagram post recently how she was grateful for all of the simple things that add up to a whole lot. I gave her an “amen” on the abundance of beautiful, simple things we encounter every day. While there are many monumental situations and decisions being dealt with, they can’t compare quantity-wise to the minuscule, every day, simple pleasures that we enjoy and can take solace in. The best part is that 99% of them are free, which is right up my alley.

At this moment nothing fills my heart more than watching the birds play tag in my yard or smelling Crisp Linen air spray after the house it has had a good scrub. Since I’m at home every day, I get to drink my morning coffee on the back porch instead of in the car on the way to work. Cate is close when I need a hug. I don’t get to see them much, but I know my friends and family are there if I need them. I get to enjoy the photos of the Bobrow garden and have the knowledge I don’t have to do any of the work to enjoy it’s beauty. My gratitude list is long.

I choose to keep my heart full of all of these satisfying little things while facing the fear, uncertainty, frustration and sometimes dread of bigger things going on. These big things are important and definitely deserve attention, but it’s the combination of all the little things that build us up so that we can successfully navigate major issues with a heart full of empathy and compassion.

Find what inspires you and pay attention to these things. Let them feel your mind instead of stewing over the things you can’t change. How can life not suck if you’re thinking about how much life sucks all the time? Focus on how awesome you are, just as you are, as Bridget Jones’s Mr. Darcy says. Focus on how green the freaking trees are. Focus on how good that burger on the grill tastes. Focus on the sun, wearing flip flops, bike rides, and how much it would suck if we were going through this at Christmas.

The world needs change and change is coming, but I seriously feel that in order to make a difference we need to ground ourselves and that starts and ends with being grateful for what we have or don’t have, who we are inside, and the endless potential we have as individuals and as a society. Start filling your bank today. You are already rich in blessings and may not even be aware of it.

Have a great weekend friends. Hearing from you, just knowing this blog is being read and enjoyed (or not), feeds my Positive Tetris Effect (note more study of positive psychology). I have chosen to focus on the positive feels from this blog instead of the harsh critique from screenplay readers, novel writer’s block, or the “thank you for applying, but we’ve decided to go in a different direction” from job applications. Focusing on that positive feeds my optimism for that needed change I feel is coming. So for that, I thank you.

LLM

NOTE: Literally every day since quarantine started, the first thing I jot in my gratitude journal is my gratitude for health and the health of my family. Corona is still here friends, be vigilant and wear your mask dammit.