Lessons in ‘Should’
I woke up this morning itching to get away. I love my house but sometimes I feel trapped within its walls. On days like this I even resent working from home, something that I thoroughly enjoy. Immediately I had a solution. I needed a change of scenery. Yes, I’m sure I could have found gratitude staying home but instead I used the feeling of uneasiness to teach me. It was telling me to take action. To make a change.
Finding a cafe to work in was not going to cut it. So I boarded the train and went an hour north to Santa Fe. I can work from anywhere, so why not? Immediately I felt energized. There was strength in my solitude and smiles at every turn. This was just want I needed.
I’m glad I didn’t let my ‘shoulds’ get in the way. Yes, I should have saved money and just stayed home. Yes, I could find gratitude no matter what. I ignored these feelings of doubt and said yes to adventure instead. I found so much appreciation for where I live as the train pulled away. New Mexico is green and vibrant right now after a spring and summer of almost daily rains. This view from afar was just what I needed to polish my gratitude lens.
This experience reminds me of the drawing book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. In this book ?he author recommends drawing upside down which tricks our left brain into not recognizing the subject which allows us to draw what we really see instead of what our memories say it should look like. What do you need to turn downside up in order to see its beauty anew? To let go of expectations and ‘shoulds’? To find gratitude with a new sense of wonder?
I often talk about gratitude starting with acceptance. Today I learned that sometimes we need to take action and make a change. That shake-up may be just what we need to catapult our gratitude, our relationships, our career into the place they ‘should’ be. Or at least we will learn our own lessons and find our own gratitude along the way. Either way, take a leap and appreciate the ride.
[su_quote cite=”Charles Dickens”]Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.[/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
[su_button url=”http://www.ourgratitudecollective.com/activity/” background=”#178fb3″]What do you appreciate right now though it is distant?[/su_button]
My Gratitude Experience Last Week
Last night I was so grateful for a ridiculously silly movie that I watched on TV by way of Netflix. I wrote it in my gratitude and then deleted it and replaced it with other things that I was grateful for. Today, looking back on it, I realize that I was judging my gratitude. I thought it wasn’t worthy of my gratitude. But it was real! I often talk about the importance of not judging and ranking our gratitude. I appreciate the reminder. So today I shout it from the rooftops, “I am grateful for watching silly TV!”
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for gazing upon green volcanoes at once exotic and deeply familiar … Quitting when I knew it wasn’t right for me anymore, trusting my gut … An inexpensive flight and the excuse to plan an even longer trip.
A New eCard
Image by Antonia Montoya
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
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| Sun | 8/9/2015 | I’m grateful for being in a place in my life where I am more centered and grounded and calm while still feeling a full range of emotion, it is a quite beautiful thing to feel so fully and just be in it fully, accepting and loving it fully … I’m grateful for take two better than the first … I’m grateful for saying what I needed to say. |
| Sat | 8/8/2015 | Abundant gratitude for a roomful of joyful family and friends supporting me and babies running amock and a red bucket full of tips. |
| Fri | 8/7/2015 | I’m grateful for so many memories of my dad’s farm in Moriority, learning to drive, solitude in expanses of land, finding my first horned toad; I’m so sad for the necessity of selling this land that I am so grateful for, it put all five of us through college … I’m grateful for quiet as I enjoy time home alone on a Friday night … I’m grateful for a platform to receive and give support and advice. |
| Thu | 8/6/2015 | I’m grateful for my master list of songs that I’ve written and cover songs too, for notes and audio recordings to help remember them, I don’t know how I did this before smart phones … Love language discovery and a bit of awareness I want to further uncover about having 3 of the 5 all tied for first place … I’m sad I didn’t make it to see Esmeralda but I am grateful for time to practice my own craft, time to rest my fatigued body and nourish myself. |
| Wed | 8/5/2015 | I’m grateful for a witty feel-good movie, fully reclined and a face full of the saltiest popcorn … Generous healers sharing knowledge, practicing together, eating healthy food, drinking oregano tea … The relief of finishing something that’s been lingering on my to do list for 3 weeks. |
| Tue | 8/4/2015 | I’m grateful for being heard … A meal showing up for me when I pleaded for one, I just couldn’t muster the energy to cook … Periscope connections and just in time to hear Jack Canfield sharing knowledge … A fresh new batch of Indian tea … A nice quiet moment under the stars. |
| Mon | 8/3/2015 | I’m grateful for french toast dinner drenched in warm maple syrup … The perfect quote … Shawl healing … Haven’t made it out to any feasts yet but thoroughly enjoying cup after cup of Indian tea at home. |
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[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″] My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it! A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide. My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can too. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336. [/su_note]