Christian reached out to me this afternoon to let me know that he’s been enjoying the Dopamine Challenge so much, he invited his four siblings to read along and participate, as well! Cheryl decided to begin a photography challenge centered around setting an intention, and then sharing a photo a day for 30 days. Because the point is, you can do anything for 30 days, right? What are you doing differently because of the positive you created today?
The Other Three
- Exercise – nope
- Meditate – done
- Kindness – done
Gratitudes
- Lena: the amazing research queen
- My home
- Granola
- The higher road
- Changing into the mom
- Power naps
- Empowerment
- Other people’s ideas
- The lure of a road-trip
- Flashlights
- www.reuseit.com
Positive Experience
My day wasn’t horrible. Nothing awful happened. I just had a day. I met with one potential client first thing this morning, and then spent the rest of my working hours at my desk, systematically checking off the items populating my never-ending list of calls and emails. Admittedly, my energy was low and I wasn’t terribly excited at the prospect of a day spent in front of my computer. And then, 5:00 arrived, as if late for an important engagement, and I acknowledged its arrival by changing my clothes. Yes, that’s right. I stepped out of my skirt, pulled off the pantyhose, unbuttoned my blouse, and put on a pair of well-worn jeans, socks that reach my knees, and a comfortable pullover, and walked out the door dressed as my alter-ego: the Mom.
While waiting for my daughter, I began reading a book Julie loaned to me: The Dumbest Generation, by Mark Bauerlein, and my mind started to expand. Shifting my brain’s attention to something not related to work brought a renewed sense of energy to my entire system. By the time my daughter was finished, I had completed my transformation into her mother, and with gratitude enjoyed our evening as we prepared supper, sat down together at the table, shared conversation, and then a cup of tea, while we discussed my daughter’s day, and our plans together for this weekend.
Just because I am focused on the positive around me doesn’t mean there won’t be difficult days, tough situations, or neutral times (like today). My greatest sources of joy and gratitude, as I rediscover daily, are my family, friends, and loved ones. Work is just that: work, but the relationships we cultivate and the energy we invest in the those whom we love are where our true measures of love and gratitude emerge to enrich and bless our lives. For the opportunity to be a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend, I am eternally grateful.
