Hey all-- it's been a few weeks since I've said hello. And what a crazy few weeks it has been. It's a rainy Sunday here in Norfolk. Since I got home from work I've been sitting on my bed listening to the rain and clearing out emails. Which can sometimes be stressful but other times, a refreshing look back at your life in electronic communication. Lucky for me, today's session falls into the latter category. The messages I unintentionally allow myself to accumulate are often telling of my mood and what's on my mind. It's the ones I keep to read later that let me know what I really want at the top of my personal agenda. This time, I found a lot of emails from a few healthy living blogs I follow semi-regularly. Both have wonderful, positive themes about living well and caring for your mind and body. More specifically, I noticed the messages that talk about taking time to be grateful for this moment-- this day in your life-- and enjoying it for the gift that it is. Whether it's taking charge of your fitness routine and fueling your body with things that will make it better, or living with intention-- controlling the urge to scroll through your Facebook feed (again) or get distracted by things that really don't matter. It's the moments we stop and really acknowledge that we are in control of our own path and our own perspective that mean the most. At the end of the day, that's all we have and a lot of what we need. I know-- easy to say, but harder to live. I think that's part of why those emails are loitering in my gmail account. With a lot of stress at work, and pressure I have allowed myself to feel, it's tough not to slip into a gridlocked state of mind. That's where my girl Maria comes in.... As I was following one blogger's advice to 'close those tabs!', I came across the youtube video of her commencement address that I've been meaning to watch. I finally did, and what a great way to spend 20 minutes. She talks about the power of the pause. That rush of humble gratitude when we look around and marvel, because no matter the list of complaints, we made it here. We have SO much.
There's a lot of change coming my way in the near future. I'm excited and nervous and scared, even though 'change' is exactly what I've been wanting. I'll be moving on from a situation that isn't right for me, and diving into new challenges I'm not quite sure how to conquer. But with every moment that I spend feeling grateful for what I have, my worry about tomorrow feels lighter. Suddenly it's okay that I don't know exactly what the future holds. I don't know the details, but for now, I don't need to. I am happy to be right where I am. One last little note I want to share...I had a few friends over last night and my neighbor, Shilpa, shared a lovely Hindu saying. This is probably not exact, but it's something like: 'It is not failure that we are afraid of, but the greatness inside us.' Isn't that a great way to think?? Often we don't even know what we are capable of. And here's another of my favorites for the road...
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