Day 2,964

Growth:

Challenges, unexpected obstacles, and frustrations are going to happen, they are a part of life. We cannot “opt out” of difficulties, they are part of the cost of admission on the ride called “A Human Life.”

We can 100% choose how we respond to them. We can choose to see them as unfair and wallow in our victimhood…. or ….we can choose to see them as opportunities for growth.

I wish I could say I immediately make the right call and see them the right way from the start, but my ego’s gravity pulls me towards frustration. That said, if I remember to pause I can find a way to grow through this, to become a better me as a result of this, and to possibly help others through their own similar experiences.

What happened today will not define me. How I respond and grow through it will.

Appreciation:

Today I was reminded how much I appreciate the decision I made over eight years ago to start blogging daily on one thing I’m grateful for. This process has brightened my life in more ways than I could ever begin to count, brought me strength to grow through many difficult challenges, and has helped me grow into a better version of myself than I was eight years ago.

As a daily habit its impact can easily evade my radar, sometimes I need conversations like today to help me recalibrate and realize just how much positive change it continues to foster each day. The quiet time spent focused on reflection of my day – good, bad, and everything in between / has helped me grow more as a person and helps me live more intentionally and more joyfully.

So thankful I stumbled upon this practice over eight years ago when I was struggling. Another excellent reminder that difficulty can be the catalyst of profound positive growth if we choose to make it so!

Presence:

There were a handful of conversations today in which I was one hundred percent present. Some positive and fun, some frustrating, some ordinary, and others keenly unique. Each struck me in an interesting way as I pause and think about them now. They were like being in a state of flow, they were timeless in spite of it being a ridiculously busy day. I wasn’t thinking about next steps, other calls, or anything, I was only in those conversations completely.

Interesting to me, I know I’m usually present, but the intensity of presence in this high of a volume of conversations in one day seems very high. Maybe it was how packed the day was, my mindset of focus, the topics of conversation, or some other aspect? Regardless, I’m grateful for those conversations today and look forward to attempting to replicate them tomorrow.

Thanks!!!