Greetings Village,
After writing last month about finding awe, and reading your thoughtful replies, I found myself more aware of my emotions. Specifically one day while watching Schitt’s Creek (for the 3rd time), I caught myself smiling. I know that sounds weird, but I just became aware that while watching I was happy, present, and…
smiling.
It made me start to wonder where else in my life could I catch myself…
smiling,
enjoying the moment,
being present?
With that thought, I started to pay more attention and caught more moments:
Driving my daughter in the car to hockey while she is singing boldly to Taylor Swift
Facilitating a group of individuals who are navigating chronic diseases, and listening to how they use humor as a tool for self-compassion*
Playing games with my family… just not Monopoly
The list could go on to include moments with my SDS Ladies dance class, moments with my extended family, my friends who are family, etc…
With this new awareness I decided that I wanted to create more space for these moments that make me smile… Whether that means I literally schedule it, become more present in the moment, or look forward to the moments when I know it will happen (like driving Alice to hockey), etc….
And as always, I wonder, what about you? As we start this new year, where do you smile most? How can you create more of those moments in your day, your week, in this first month of 2024?
. . .
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t address the opposite of catching yourself smiling. As I questioned what the opposite might look like my first thought was…
Blankly staring at a phone, endlessly, and anything that takes us away from being present. Can you think of times when you completely check out, more than just to take a break? To me that would be the opposite of “catching yourself smiling.”
So I’ll ask again. As we start this new year, where do you smile most?
(while reading a good book, getting in nature, coffee with a friend, etc)
Now, how could you create more opportunities for these moments in your day today,
or this week,
or in this first month of 2024?
Warmly,
Lesley
P.S. Remember a smile is contagious!
*I am a volunteer provider at Pathways, A Healing Center. I have been facilitating a group on “Finding Acceptance within the Impermanence of your Chronic Disease” for about 2 years.
The mission of Minneapolis Pathways is to provide resources and services for people with life threatening or chronic physical illness—as well as caregivers—to explore and experience complementary healing approaches.
If you or someone you know is struggling with chronic illness Pathways is a wonderful resource.