Daily Gratitude: 22 years ago we faced one of the greatest trials ever. Some among us weren’t even alive yet. Some of us lost a great part of ourselves that day. Even if we weren’t personally impacted by the loss of a loved one, we were definitely impacted by a loss. So many types of loss. How had this affected you? You are different than you were back on the 10th of September 2001. We all are. Another tragedy of that day was the fear it instilled in us. So much of what we have done since then has been because of fear. Many of our reactions in life are due to fear. It’s important to remember all that happened on 9/11 but let’s try to remember and think on the things that changed and perhaps have actually made our lives better. Change is always difficult but in the long run there can be good things come of it. I know it sounds bad to say we should look at the good that came out of that day. But since it was 23 years ago we can still be appropriately reverent while trying to change our view of that day. We are in control of our perspective all these years later so maybe we can take a minute to see how we and things have changed for the better. That is respectful and loving. Don’t let all those lives be lost in vain.

 Daily Gratitude: What form of self reflection do you use? Do you journal; do you have a “shutdown” time at night, do you talk to yourself; do you discuss things with a therapist or Eve a best friend? It’s so important that we not just go through our days but that we learn from them. How did you respond to something? Was it the best way you could or were there aspects of it that you’d like to change? If you don’t think about it, you won’t change it. I have a daily morning routine and if I don’t do it I feel really out of whack. I would love to have an evening shutdown routine too but i have not been able to establish one. It’s very strange but it’s also because I have other habits that interfere. So that tells me I’m not committed enough. That’s a form of self reflection and it’s good but it would be even better if i really analyzed what I could do to make it stick. That would be most valuable. So that is something I’ve learned about myself and am going to work on. I am probably trying to do too many things all at once instead of taking it bit by bit. That’s also something I’m learning about myself. See, just writing this has been a form of self reflection and you can do the same. Since it’s the weekend, take some time and think about what you learned about yourself this week. Take 3-5 minutes. That’s all. See what happens and how you like it. Go from there.