Week 20 was good. Did you do one thing you've been meaning to? Brian got me a journal and Sharpies for Christmas and I had only drawn in it once! I got that out the other night and it was so great to lose myself in drawing, something that I need and just don't do. Ever. I also did some charitable giving that I've been meaning to do. Felt good.
This past Sunday was the Promise Walk to raise money and awareness for the Preeclampsia Foundation. After the battle to get a two year old dressed and agreeably in the car seat and a drive to Hyde Park, we were 45 minutes late for the walk. We were also juggling a simultaneous visit with my childhood best friend, Bree, who was in town from Oakland. I hadn't seen her since I was 37 weeks pregnant, about the same time I was starting to get sick. It was a wonderful thing to hug her, and to watch her playing with my son, and to be able to look around and see the smiling faces of all of the children who survived preeclampsia. But there wasn't much time to be alone with my feelings. It was easy to do what I so often have to do - block out the memory of what happened to us in order to just keep living. At one point, I was walking along the path on my own, and I finally let myself just be. And I looked around at all of the women and families and children. I made eye contact with some of the women whose stories I know. I let myself feel the sadness and the fear and the anger that goes along with what we've all experienced. I cried under my sunglasses for a little while, then put on a smile and helped my son climb a tree. Life moves on.
But I've been thinking about gratitude a lot. I do feel grateful a lot of the time, but I would like to be more conscious about it. So this will be a week for gratitude.
Week 21
Mantra | Be Grateful
Action | Notice and write down one thing every day that you're grateful for
Week 20 | It's Never Too Late | Do One Thing You've Been Meaning To Do
I have really been trying to post every week by Monday night. Here it is Wednesday night, almost Thursday morning. So .. let's see. What makes sense?
Week 20
Mantra | It's Never Too Late
Action | Do One Thing You've Been Meaning to Do
Week 20
Mantra | It's Never Too Late
Action | Do One Thing You've Been Meaning to Do
Week 19 | Let Your Radiance Shine | Practice Random Acts of Sunshine
This post is a little belated. Sorry!
Boy, last week's action was a challenge! I was not able to go one day without a complaint. I will keep working on it. Instead of the purple bracelet that Will Bowen recommends, I'm using a ring that I switch between fingers every time I complain. It's a great tool! I actually went one day with only two complaints. I'll let you know if I make it one whole complaint-free day! Did anyone else try it?
Part of why I am late in my posting this week is because I haven't been inspired with a mantra like I usually am. Until this morning. Lately, it's been very gray and cloudy in Chicago. I tend to be very affected by the weather, especially gray skies. When I was drinking my tea this morning I noticed that the paper attached to the tea bag string had a message. It said, "Let people bask in your radiance and sunshine." It instantly made the gray skies seem less drab. It also reminded me of the many talks my mom had with me as a kid about stopping my negative energy and letting my radiance shine. So, here we go!
Week 19
Mantra | Let Your Radiance Shine
Action | Practice random acts of sunshine
Boy, last week's action was a challenge! I was not able to go one day without a complaint. I will keep working on it. Instead of the purple bracelet that Will Bowen recommends, I'm using a ring that I switch between fingers every time I complain. It's a great tool! I actually went one day with only two complaints. I'll let you know if I make it one whole complaint-free day! Did anyone else try it?
Part of why I am late in my posting this week is because I haven't been inspired with a mantra like I usually am. Until this morning. Lately, it's been very gray and cloudy in Chicago. I tend to be very affected by the weather, especially gray skies. When I was drinking my tea this morning I noticed that the paper attached to the tea bag string had a message. It said, "Let people bask in your radiance and sunshine." It instantly made the gray skies seem less drab. It also reminded me of the many talks my mom had with me as a kid about stopping my negative energy and letting my radiance shine. So, here we go!
Week 19
Mantra | Let Your Radiance Shine
Action | Practice random acts of sunshine
Week 18 | Stop Complaining | Offer Solutions Instead of Grievances
OK. I took more than one thing off my list last week and it felt great! That was a good one.
Last Thursday night, Bri and I got a sitter and went on a date! We went to Flourish Studios (where I started my practice) and saw Will Bowen speak about his Complaint Free World Movement. First of all, let me say that I am grateful for having a husband willing to spend date night at such an event! We left feeling inspired to be more positive and to try the challenge to stop complaining.
It is really hard. (By the way, statements of fact are not complaints.)
Week 18
Mantra | Stop Complaining
Action | Offer Solutions Instead of Grievances
Last Thursday night, Bri and I got a sitter and went on a date! We went to Flourish Studios (where I started my practice) and saw Will Bowen speak about his Complaint Free World Movement. First of all, let me say that I am grateful for having a husband willing to spend date night at such an event! We left feeling inspired to be more positive and to try the challenge to stop complaining.
It is really hard. (By the way, statements of fact are not complaints.)
Week 18
Mantra | Stop Complaining
Action | Offer Solutions Instead of Grievances
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