Has anyone ever told you to stop for a second and make a mental note for all the little wins of life; maybe at a good time, or at a point when we need that sense of positive reenforcement. After a number of both really great days rolling together with plenty of bad ones, let me share some of my own before I challenge you to your own list:
A colorful sunset
Warm night spent outside
Discovering a new item on a menu
An extra hour of sleep
The fulfillment from a love text, email, phone call, letter
A real soulful cup of coffee
Super hyphy gym workout
The blossoms of spring
Running into an old friend
Starting fresh
Closing the door to a chapter
Losing weight
Eating a whole pizza
Giving a friend good advice, pat on the back!
Receiving “it’ll be okay” love
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel
Laughing until you cry.. just a good laugh
Making someone else laugh #winning
Hugs... BIG ASS BEAR HUGS!!!
Being okay and happy without money
Seeing life as more than money
Being surrounded by people you love
A good sweat
Some good ol' FUCKING SUNSHINE, AM I RIGHT??!
Tan lines... sun burns!
Blogging at the gym
Working out at work
Ice cream in the heat
Coffee in the cold
Wine anytime
Friend gatherings
Leaving toxic behind you
Reuniting with family
Making a quick bounce back.. Bouncing back in general!
Trying something new and loving it
Conquering a fear
Saving a pessimist
Embracing an optimist
100 happy days.. try it!
You are a badass.. read it!
Some days we ask ourselves. How am I supposed to be happy when... and the list begins. Yet we consume ourselves with hate, worry, sadness, anger, self loathing and pity, and say to ourselves that it’s not fair, it’s not right, I don’t deserve this, why, I did everything I could... and the simplest things to do next, makes for the most challenging. In those moments, we are choosing to hide in the shade. I never truly believed that anyone is “stuck in the darkness.” No matter how simple or extreme the troubles, the truth is the light has moved aside and we find ourselves covered by a bit of shade overhead. You can look at your options, left, right, forward, or straight up and continue to believe that we are stuck in a place that’s darkness reflects our entire life; not just the portion we are standing under at that very moment in time. The day is right there with you, providing multiple opportunities in both the light and darkness [sunlight and shade]. But why do we challenge ourselves to stand up and move into the sun? Or god for bid it’s a cloudy day, do we stay optimistic during longer periods while waiting for the sun to return, during a gloomy day of May Grey or June Gloom...
I will never define a challenge of mine in comparison to anyone else’s. There’s no right answer, no level of obstacle, nor manageable explanation higher or harder than another, only how we embrace and face any and all things trying to define us. (If you get the opportunity, take a peak at the book "You Are A Badass" and flip to the chapter titled - The Big Snooze - its all about a quick karate move, duck, jab, kick, deep breath - and onto the next one, never allowing all the "suck" to take you down.)
So now, its your turn. Amongst all the moving parts in your day, life, schedule, family, relationship, health, job, surroundings, goods and bads. What kind of list can you create to prove to yourself that no matter what is going on, there's still a small win on your side somewhere. #GratefulPost