Daily Gratitude: “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

Isn’t it wonderful how some people can sum up key points so succinctly?

This exemplifies the rut we put ourselves into. We’re so hung up on getting this or getting that and we never stop, look around, and say “wow I’m thankful for all that I have. It doesn’t really matter if I get this other thing I thought I wanted.” Have you ever heard anyone say that?

If we think about what this quote says it is think differently about what we’re after. It’s funny but I almost felt sadness thinking about how something that had been coveted once has now been dismissed and essentially abandoned when something newer comes into our minds.

And even sadder is that we skip from one to the other so quickly that one could almost wonder what it was that attracted us or was it just the need to have something new ?

Next time you have this burning desire or even any desire to get something, can you take a day or two to calm your brain and then ask if you really want that particular thing. In the one or two days, that desire may have dissipated and you can be satisfied with your “old stuff” (even if it’s just a few weeks old).

While you’re looking around to see what you already have, remember to practice gratitude too.

Evaporation phase

Daily Gratitude: “There are times in a life when you are in the evaporation phase: the period between one clear form and the next.”

This is an extremely powerful realization- especially for me at this time.

We look at things in a black or white manner. Things begin. Things end.

How often do we actually examine the “end” and realize (and remind ourselves) that it was simply a transition. Not an end?

Our minds don’t like change because it messes with its predictive capacity and makes the mind work harder to gather new data. Once it’s accumulated enough new data, it can then start making new predictions. But that takes time. It’s why change eventually turns into “the norm”.

It behooves us to talk to and reassure our brains about any change. Calming the nervous system, in my opinion, is our number one job and especially if we want to have a growth mindset. It’s hard to have that without embracing change.

Water takes many forms. It transitions into many forms. The humidity in Tennessee (or anywhere for that matter) is water but we can’t see it. Once its properties change enough though, we can see it because it becomes rain. Most of the time we don’t say “oh this rain is the mist I saw all across the fields yesterday; and then it was the oppressive humidity I felt last night.” We just don’t make the connection.

Look back over your life and see if you can find transition points. Then see the person you were and the circumstances you had both before and after. Ask yourself how all that change turned out.

Are you in a transition point now – are you in an evaporative phase?

Embrace it because there are forces at work for our good even when we resist them. You can mourn a loss, but you can also know that the upcoming transition/change will be good – especially if we let it.

If you’re in the evaporative phase, don’t despair. Your “water” will take a new form soon.

Daily Gratitude: “If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.”

I think crying is fine. It’s a physical release and so often we don’t allow ourselves enough release.

What this quote is talking about is not staying in the “crying cycle” because the sadness and the mental depression will keep you from seeing joy even when it’s right in front of you. Think what it’s like to drive and a downpour starts. Whereas you could see ahead of you perfectly, all of a sudden there’s only a sheet of water in your face. Your wipers can’t get rid of it fast enough. There may even be streaks of mud splattered all over the windshield too.

The result? You can’t see squat past your own inner environment. If there is constant water and mud coming from somewhere (your tears), you’ll never notice when the sun comes out. You won’t be able to see the beauty all around you. The cycle continues.

Allow yourself to have a pity party when things aren’t going well. That’s expected. It’s normal. But consider putting a time limit on it and get your family and friends to help you stick to it. You can make it as long as you want so you don’t feel picked on. Everyone adapts differently.

You want to see the sun shine again, don’t you?