Day 2,306

Growth:

While on a Zoom call today the trainer made the comment, “and remember, watch for the positive stuff. It is always so easy to see the problems, remember that those are few and far between while successes and positives are all over the place if we watch for them.”

I almost laughed out loud at this statement. For a variety of reasons this very thought topic had already come up multiple times over the past 48 hours. I’ve been on all sides of it, from needing to remember to focus on the positives to coaching others to watch for the positives. It was almost like The Big Dude Upstairs really wanted to accent the point one more time just to make sure I got it. Loud and clear Dude, loud and clear!

Honestly, this is something we should almost all reminder ourselves of as soon as we wake up. There is going to be frustration, pain, challenges, and the like. There is also going to be significantly more joy, happiness, wins, and success. Which will we choose to watch for each day? Which one will we be keeping an eye out for? Which one will dictate our day?

We do not choose what happens to us, but we do choose how we respond to it. Choose to see the positive, choose growth, choose appreciation, and choose presence.

Appreciation:

Quick side note for everyone reading this – I don’t always write these in a linear order. Tonight this is actually the last one I’m writing as the other two were pretty straightforward and almost wrote themselves throughout the day. I’m struggling a bit on which gratitude to focus on as there are several. Maybe the best bet for tonight is to go with a theme and then I can start to peel it all apart over the next few days.

I’m thankful for my journey. The past seven plus years have been a period of profound learning and introspection. I’m grateful for the struggles and challenges I’ve faced as they’ve all led me to this point. They’ve helped shaped me into me. In so many ways I feel more at peace with so many things than I possibly ever have been in my life.

The gap between who I am and who I am called to be is still an enormous chasm, but I’m okay with slowly working towards the other side. Small steps of progress each day may not be enough to get me there before my time is up and that’s totally okay. The true success is in working towards progress.

I am thankful for the lessons I’ve learned which have helped me remember to give myself grace when I slip. They help me remember that what is done is done, move forward and work to be a better version of myself today than I was yesterday.

I’m thankful for the ongoing reminders to control what I can control, to work towards eliminating unnecessary anxiety and worry, and for the reminders of their negative impact when I don’t end my own advice.

I’m thankful for my journey, all the bumps and bruises, the twists and turns, and everything in between. Without them I would not be me.

Presence:

Throughout last year I worked on my goal of reading 100 books. This meant listening to Audible almost all the time I was driving. This year I’ve been listening to a lot of audible, but I’ve given myself more grace to enjoy both quiet and music.

This morning I caught myself flipping through some tunes and happened upon a song that really hits me in the feels every single time I listen to it – The ‘59 Sound by The Gaslight Anthem.

The song always brings to mind a couple of people in particular and calls their memories close to my heart. This morning I played the song, sang along with it, let out some emotion, and felt so much lighter afterwards.

Well I wonder which song they’re gonna play when we go
I hope it’s something quiet and minor and peaceful and slow

When we float out into the ether into the everlasting arms
I hope we don’t hear Marley’s chains we forged in life

‘Cause the chains I’ve been hearin’ now for most of my life
And the chains I’ve been hearin’ now for most of my life

Did you hear the ’59 sound
Coming through on Grandmama’s radio?
Did you hear the rattlin’ chains
In the hospital walls?

Did you hear the old gospel choir
When they came to carry you over?
Did you hear your favorite song
One last time?

The Gaslight Anthem – The ‘59 Sound

Music is medicine for the soul and has the power to draw us into the moment.

Thanks!!!