There was a time in my life where every minute of everyday was planned, and used fully. Barely getting any sleep, working more than one job and a full time student, I would sometimes literally have to run from one thing to another. Thankfully, those {read more}
How often do you get up in the morning, and with each step feel delighted? Putting your feet on the floor, fixing the bed head, and smiling at yourself. Putting your house slippers on and greeting your dog, perhaps with a song.
Turning the hot water on and washing the night off… last night I had nightmares so this was especially important!
Getting ready for the day – smiling at yourself in the mirror. Knowing the day will be a great one simply because you get to live it.
Okay I’ll admit… this even feels odd to write. Let’s assume about 10% of our days feel like this. Maybe right before a kids birthday, or a trip or around the holiday season. Or maybe even when we get to do something that day which we just LOVE doing. The days we pick our loved ones up from the airport often feel like this.
But, in reality these delightful, eagerly expectant days typically aren’t the norm. Take a moment and truly think about the last time you felt this way. Evoke the feeling in yourself again. Maybe even put the phone down, and re-live the delightful morning, day or moment in your mind again.
Okay, now that you have re-lived your last delightful day. It is time to purposely recreate that feeling! Perhaps it will not be today, or even this week. But, in the near future my challenge to you is to recreate the delight. If you go to my perfect day this or that, you can decide for yourself what activities might help the effort. Or maybe instead of activity you look forward to, it is a special meal. Even better, maybe it is a specific person in your life. Call them, arrange to meet up.
Furthermore, when I think of my last day, which was filled with delight from morning to night; it was from a trip I took. A trip which cannot easily be recreated. However, if I simply look back at the pictures, and remember dancing around the yard watching the sun come up. I can easily feel the delight tickle me from head to toe.
So, I ask you today – what creates the feeling of delight in you? Do something small today to recreate the feeling – look at pictures, meet a friend for coffee, wear your favorite outfit. Channel your inner ‘elf’ in the middle of spring.
Storytime The importance of community, alongside actually experiencing it, only came into my life once I moved to North Carolina. This was a symptom of my own behavior as much as it was the area I lived in. Living in Philadelphia and going to college {read more}
Thank you to all of you who voted yesterday on my Instagram! The choice was 60% toward decision making. So that’s what I did! It is more of a podcast style, let me know what you think!
In this YouTube, I discuss the topic of DECISION MAKING. Why it can be difficult, as well as the spectrum of methods in decision making. That’s right, from superstition to rigid personal principles. Last, I go through how I currently make decisions, large and small. Which is by using, the question which answers ALL questions; originally coined by Andy Stanley. ENJOY!
Remember that vision you created toward the end of 2021, or the beginning of this year? Maybe you remember your own whimsical, happy, eagerly expectant vision? If you haven’t yet created it, see the post here. While you are there, it may be helpful to {read more}
Free yourself: stop putting yourself in a box. Free yourself from limitations and labels so you can flourish.
Winter is somehow almost over in the northern hemisphere! Spring is rolling in, depending on where you are in the world you may already have flowers sprouting! The beginning of any season is especially a happy time for me. The changes in the earth can be seen by our eyes. Whereas in the midst of a season it sometimes feels like it is drudging on or will never end.
As winter comes to an end, think back over the past few months. During this time did you do anything to feed your soul? Were there any particular activities or days which stand out in your mind and defined the season? How about any particular people who seem to be a shining light?
Remember an older post about your pilot light? This post has a similar message in the sense that it is not only time to check in on how you have been feeling and where your energy level is; but it is also time to start actively engaging in the activities which light up your soul. Those activities, places and people which make you feel your best. Or make you feel young again. Reignite your soul. Let yourself indulge in something that moves you deeply. Rejuvenate your soul.
It’s time to flourish. Let that sink in. The screenshot below is from the Merriam Webster dictionary.
I love the first one, “to grow luxuriantly”. I picture an English garden with lush grass, trestles of roses, butterflies and birds. Cute little benches, just enough sunshine but the dew is still resting on the delicate flowers. All is quiet except for the gentle movement of a calm breeze. Just beyond the rose garden is a pond with floating lily pads with young lovers beside one another reading.
When you bring to mind the word flourish, what mental scene comes to mind? Perhaps yours is very different than mine and brings about treehouses, hot air balloons or playing in the park with your family. Or even more different still, sailing, fishing or playing a sport.
Meditate on the word flourish. Define it from your own words. Create a mental image in your minds eye and describe it in writing or to a friend. Come back to the scene often. Allow yourself to get swept away with your own imagery.
Build self trust through being honest with yourself at your lowest, growing from it and extending yourself grace.
