Hi there!
I have a confession. I don’t particularly enjoy mowing the lawn or raking leaves.
But last week, as I was doing both, I decided to put one of my favorite little life tools to work.
Gratitude.
Instead of thinking about how much I’d rather be doing something else, I tried to notice everything that was good about the experience.
First, I thought about how fortunate I am to be physically able to do these chores.
Then there was the weather. It was nearly perfect for working outside!
And I realized how wonderful it was to be able to do the work on a weekday, rather than squeezing it into an evening or weekend as I did for so many years when I was working.
I even appreciated being able to wear a T-shirt without dousing myself in mosquito repellent or wearing one of my long-sleeved insect-shield shirts.
(If mosquitoes find you as irresistible as they find me, you understand what a gift that is. Apparently, I’m their idea of dessert! And here’s a little tip for my fellow mosquito magnets: I was excited to discover that Insect Shield will even treat your own clothes for just $9.50 each. Here’s the link if you’re interested.)
But I digress…
Did all these gratitude thoughts make me suddenly enjoy raking leaves?
Nope! But they kept me moving, lifted my mood, and made the whole experience a lot more pleasant.
Nothing about the work changed. Only what I chose to focus on.
I think we sometimes overlook how useful gratitude can be in these ordinary moments.
It doesn’t have to be a formal practice. It can simply be a little conversation we have with ourselves while we’re doing something we’d rather not be doing.
Here’s something to try this week.
Choose one task you don’t particularly enjoy, and while you’re doing it, see how many things you can genuinely appreciate about the experience.
Just try to notice what else is good about the moment.
If you liked this suggestion, be sure to look for your weekly email in the coming weeks. I’ll be sharing more ways to use gratitude as a practical tool to make everyday life flow just a little bit easier.
Wishing you a beautiful week!
Julie
P.S. Know someone who could use a little more joy in their everyday chores? Forward this email their way. After all, if we have to do the work anyway, we might as well enjoy it a little more!
I can always find something to appreciate.
What We Loved This Week
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