Do you ever have moments when you stop to take a look at the world around you- I mean really take a look at the world around you? Moments when you actually look up and notice where you are at that very moment in time. When I lived in Seattle, there was hardly ever a day that went by that I didn't appreciate, even if it was fleeting, the beauty I was immersed in and had the blessing to call home. But, since my move to San Francisco, I've found this present moment encapsulation has become not just a moment of appreciation, but a moment of validation.
The other day, I decided it to take a stroll throughout my new city to explore all the nooks and crannies my surrounding neighborhoods had to offer, which lead to a three hour expedition of hill climbing, alley way wandering, marina park bench sitting and, "Oh, I better check that place out" thinking. As I wandered along, mellow jams in my ears and smile on my face, I couldn't help but feel overcome by the feelings of both complete solace and utter contentment and then within that very moment, as I turned a corner and left what looked like China and walked into what looked like Italy only to see to my right the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge and all it's surroundings did I realize, "I am somewhere I dreamed of living and I'm actually LIVING here. This is my HOME!"
The thought caused me to have a brief feeling of guilt as I still have a deep rooted love for my native home that will never go away, but regardless, I couldn't help but feel overcome with the happiness I felt for being where I was at that very moment, for it was only 6 months prior that I had told myself San Francisco was a city I wanted to live in.
To this day, I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around just how fast my life changed and just how big of a move this really was for me, being that it was my first real move away from a regional area that was so familiar, comfortable and loved, but regardless of how much adjusting I've subconsciously gone through and how stressful it may have been even without admitting it, I never allowed myself to think of it in that way (outside of one minor meltdown on my first trip back home...big shout out to my best friends and little brother who brought those tears to life- you are loved.) For this move has hands down been the best decision I've ever made.
In just five short months, I've learned more about myself (and trust me, I've learned quite a bit about this chick you're reading about in the last 25 years) in areas I had never really taken the time to or had never had the opportunity to learn about. I've met some of the most incredible people. People I know will leave lasting impressions on me. People I will forever call friends. People whose kindness will never be forgotten. People who's drive and ambition will always be admired. I've met all of this and MORE in just F-I-V-E M-O-N-T-H-S! Can you believe that?
Although my move to San Francisco was one that was literally a no brainer for me, I can honestly say, that moment when I sat on a train after being offered an opportunity to come to San Francisco, thinking to myself, "My whole life is about to change", was a dead on feeling. My life really has changed, in ways that I never imagined. I am still the same happy-go-lucky, look-on-the-brightside, idea obsessed person I was in Seattle, except this time with a little more insight, a little more zest and a lot more appreciation. This move was by far, the best decision I've ever made and I can't wait to see what the rest of my time here has in store.
As I close this note with a smile on my face and near tears in my eyes, I leave you this- if there's something in your life you've been wanting to do, whether it's a move to a new city, the change of a job, taking the time to travel, asking out that person you've felt you should ask out or something else- follow the thought and feeling. I promise, it will be the best decision you've ever made. TRUST ME.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Importance of Gratitude
Thank you. Thanks. Best Regards. Warm Wishes. Sincerely. We write these little email and letter closures nearly every day. They have been engrained into our minds as the right thing to do when sending a note to someone, and even more so if that email or letter pertains to asking for something. Sure, it makes sense- you wouldn’t ask for something without your every day manners. But, recently as I typed away at an email asking for someone’s time I thought to myself, “I wonder just how thankful this person knows I am for the request at hand.” To be quite honest, the fact that the thought of the meaning behind the ending even crossed my mind sort of took me aback and made me nudge away from the discomforts of my slouched stance in my office chair and reflect for a moment on just how many times I had said, “Thank you” without actually taking a moment to realize what it was I was thankful for.
I recently began reading a book, “365 Thank You’s”. A book about a man’s journey of taking the time to share his gratitude with all those who had done something he was thankful for. It’s by no means a book of thrill or suspense, nor is it one that leaves you staying up an extra two minutes at every turn of the page. It is however, a book that makes you take a step back and remember just how important it is to be thankful for even the smallest gestures life, people and circumstances send our way.
I’ve always known it’s important to be thankful for what you have and what you’ve been given, for anytime you feel abundance in your life, you’re setting yourself up for an even more fulfilling life, which almost sounds silly, eh? Having plenty gives you more? Such an ironic, but true way of life. But, sometimes even being a person who knows just how important gratitude is can forget when to take the time to share it with those who deserve the recognition.
As I left my office the day of the email closing awakening, I found myself thinking about all the things I was sincerely and deeply thankful for. It took less than .3 seconds to come up with the general, “Job, health, home, friends, opportunities” subjects. But, I found myself, while realizing the heavy significance of the first acts of gratitude, also needing to look beyond the basics. I then began to ponder what else in my everyday life was I truly thankful for, and so, that night I snuggled up with a notepad and pen and wrote down every “outside of the box” thing I could think of. Rather than novelize them, I figured I’d share a couple, in hopes that perhaps you too have experienced such joy in your everyday life that can sometimes easily be forgotten after the quick interaction that takes place…
A glimpse at a week of thankfulness:
-The homeless man on the street corner every morning I exchange“Looking good!” banter with.
-The barista at Peet’s who for no reason gave me a free latte, just, “because”.
-Smiles back from complete strangers of all demographics.
-Phone calls from home.
-Nostalgic thoughts that caused a smile in solace.
-The way the sky looked like it had been painted onto a canvas one day that week.
-An intense workout that left me exhilarated.
-Reaching out and opening up to someone I had disconnected with recently.
-Office laughter and light heartedness one random day.
-Going to sleep on time and waking up refreshed.
The list went on for a full page, but by the end of it I couldn’t help but realize that if I hadn’t taken the time to write it all down, I probably would’ve let all those moments of joy go by with no more than the moment they occurred. Interestingly enough, I began to think about how often I’ve let negative moments and circumstances suffocate my thoughts and realized that all of those negative moments happened almost as quickly, if not more so as the positive ones I encountered in my week. These thoughts combined made me realize one thing- daily gratitude is essential.
In world filled with a zillion (seriously, maybe even more than that) opportunities to feel bogged down by negative situations, stories or circumstances, we sometimes forget just how often positive, enriching and enlightening moments happen in our everyday lives. I sincerely believe, for every moment we are cut off while driving, delivered bad news at work, or disrupted by our daily routines, we are given smiles from strangers, a favorite song played, or a win from our favorite ball team that we oftentimes don’t give nearly the attention we give those unimportant, insignificant, negative occurrences to. So, I challenge you to take a moment each day to find at least a few things you are thankful for in the day. I promise, the more you do it, the less you’ll even be able to remember those petty things we let overcome our mindset for the day.
Thank you for reading… and I sincerely mean that with every ounce of my gratitude.
I recently began reading a book, “365 Thank You’s”. A book about a man’s journey of taking the time to share his gratitude with all those who had done something he was thankful for. It’s by no means a book of thrill or suspense, nor is it one that leaves you staying up an extra two minutes at every turn of the page. It is however, a book that makes you take a step back and remember just how important it is to be thankful for even the smallest gestures life, people and circumstances send our way.
I’ve always known it’s important to be thankful for what you have and what you’ve been given, for anytime you feel abundance in your life, you’re setting yourself up for an even more fulfilling life, which almost sounds silly, eh? Having plenty gives you more? Such an ironic, but true way of life. But, sometimes even being a person who knows just how important gratitude is can forget when to take the time to share it with those who deserve the recognition.
As I left my office the day of the email closing awakening, I found myself thinking about all the things I was sincerely and deeply thankful for. It took less than .3 seconds to come up with the general, “Job, health, home, friends, opportunities” subjects. But, I found myself, while realizing the heavy significance of the first acts of gratitude, also needing to look beyond the basics. I then began to ponder what else in my everyday life was I truly thankful for, and so, that night I snuggled up with a notepad and pen and wrote down every “outside of the box” thing I could think of. Rather than novelize them, I figured I’d share a couple, in hopes that perhaps you too have experienced such joy in your everyday life that can sometimes easily be forgotten after the quick interaction that takes place…
A glimpse at a week of thankfulness:
-The homeless man on the street corner every morning I exchange“Looking good!” banter with.
-The barista at Peet’s who for no reason gave me a free latte, just, “because”.
-Smiles back from complete strangers of all demographics.
-Phone calls from home.
-Nostalgic thoughts that caused a smile in solace.
-The way the sky looked like it had been painted onto a canvas one day that week.
-An intense workout that left me exhilarated.
-Reaching out and opening up to someone I had disconnected with recently.
-Office laughter and light heartedness one random day.
-Going to sleep on time and waking up refreshed.
The list went on for a full page, but by the end of it I couldn’t help but realize that if I hadn’t taken the time to write it all down, I probably would’ve let all those moments of joy go by with no more than the moment they occurred. Interestingly enough, I began to think about how often I’ve let negative moments and circumstances suffocate my thoughts and realized that all of those negative moments happened almost as quickly, if not more so as the positive ones I encountered in my week. These thoughts combined made me realize one thing- daily gratitude is essential.
In world filled with a zillion (seriously, maybe even more than that) opportunities to feel bogged down by negative situations, stories or circumstances, we sometimes forget just how often positive, enriching and enlightening moments happen in our everyday lives. I sincerely believe, for every moment we are cut off while driving, delivered bad news at work, or disrupted by our daily routines, we are given smiles from strangers, a favorite song played, or a win from our favorite ball team that we oftentimes don’t give nearly the attention we give those unimportant, insignificant, negative occurrences to. So, I challenge you to take a moment each day to find at least a few things you are thankful for in the day. I promise, the more you do it, the less you’ll even be able to remember those petty things we let overcome our mindset for the day.
Thank you for reading… and I sincerely mean that with every ounce of my gratitude.
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