So, this week as the calendar flipped to another year, I was thinking about how important the little moments are and how when we focus on the beauty of the simple things in life we are able to get through the big things.
I told you last time about how difficult 2018 was. Because of the sadness that struck my family over the past 12 months, I am determined that 2019 will be a year full of happiness. Does that mean that difficulties won't arise? Hell no! It means that in every single moment, there is something to appreciate. There is beauty around us every day if we take the time to look.
Already in 2019, my family has encountered a new challenge. I won't go into details at this time, because it's not my story to tell, but when the time is right, I will talk to you about this new crossroad on my journey. In the meantime, let me share with you some of the ways that I am living day by day and finding the good so that I can fight the bad.
1. Keep a gratitude journal. No matter what is going on around you, there is something to be thankful for. Think about the little things that we take for granted. I'm thankful for toilet paper. Life simply wouldn't be the same without it. I'm thankful for the smell of coffee when I wake up in the morning. I'm thankful for clean sheets.
2. Take 5 minutes out of your day to meditate and to just be. Take more than 5 minutes if you can. 5 minutes is my goal. 5 minutes is such a small amount of time. There are 1,440 minutes every day. All you need is 5.
3. Write down your goals and review them to see your progress. I've started writing mine down on my whiteboard in the kitchen. It's a constant reminder that way. They can be really little goals. The small ones are just as important as the big ones. One of my goals for this week is to keep the house picked up this week. OK. So, I already do that, but I like having goals that I know I can reach. I also have a goal to work out 5 times this week . . . a more difficult goal for me that I might not accomplish yet.
4. Every day do something that makes you happy. I like to create art (jewelry, sketches, paintings, etc.), so every single day, I make something or work toward a project that I am creating. It's OK that I don't finish it. It's just important than I'm doing something fun.
5. Exercise. You don't have to be super fit. Walk around the block, do some yoga in your living room, dance in your bedroom. Move your body. Exercise floods your body with happy chemicals. Even when I'm tired and sore, I move. Sometimes, I cry. Yes, I literally cried the first day I ran this year. Sometimes, I complain the whole way about how hard it is, but I still do it. Sometimes, I love it, because I'm outside, and it's a beautiful day.
6. Smile. Even when you feel sad or angry, smile. Even if you have to fake it, it will make a difference. It's hard to stay in a dark place when you are smiling.
7. Psych yourself up about the coming day. Right now, it's the Sunday before I return to work after a three week break. Normally, I am stressed and depressed about having to go back out into the world. I am choosing to see this in a different light. Tomorrow, I get to put on cute clothes. I get to see some of my friends that I didn't get a chance to see over break. I get to learn something new. I get to have a schedule that helps me to be and to feel productive.
Really, it's all about perspective. It's all about taking little steps. It's all about seeing good in little things. It's all about doing little things that bring happiness into your life.
Here's Janie's reminder to see beauty in the little things we take for granted.
Jeep
by Janie Lane
The Jeep sits behind the house to the right of the spider infested shed.
An ancient engine resides in the gun-metal gray hood.
The dusty window displays a military sticker from the 40s revealing the truth of its hard labor and old age.
I encourage all of you to take time this week to do what makes you happy, appreciate the little things, and to find your happiness.
Happy 2019 my friends!