Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Best Day

I've been thinking that I haven't written a sappy heartfelt post in a while so its about time.  I've been in a little bit of a blogging slump as I have had a pretty tough week.  Tough as in if there was an award for the most difficult week ever, I would definitely medal.  So I think that makes it the perfect time to write this post.

Besides, I've eaten all the grilled cheese sandwiches that my jeans will allow.  Time to use a different coping skill.



I read something last week that I fell in love with.  I subscribe to daily e-mails from Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project {you can check out her blog/website and sign up for your own e-mails here.} and each day you get an inspirational quote in your inbox.  My favorite from last week {or maybe ever} was this:

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson


It made me think about my everyday expectations, perspectives, and that one self-defeating thought that we all have {especially on Mondays ;)} the thought that runs through your head when the day has barely begun.  You know what I'm talking about?  When you're brushing your teeth and looking in the mirror, dreading work or whatever mundane task that you have to accomplish and you think, "Today is really going to suck."  We've all done it.  We start thinking about all we have to accomplish at work, the crappy chores that have to be completed, and the responsibilities that we would rather not have.

But what if we could change that?  What if instead we made up our mind to be intentional and to run this quote through our head at the beginning of each day?  Would it make a difference?  Maybe it wouldn't literally be the best day, but maybe it would challenge us to recognize the simple things that make our everyday extraordinary.  And maybe then we would start to think that those things aren't really so mundane after all.

Maybe we would recognize that helping Mr. SoandSo get a power scooter was pretty phenomenal, and that the turkey sandwich we had for lunch was the best darn turkey sandwich we have ever packed in our lunch, or that the sky is exceptionally blue and the breeze that feels so crisp on our cheeks really does make this day feel like one of the best of the year.



And sometimes this is difficult and we need reminders not to focus all on the bad, but look for some of the good.   This week I have needed a lot of reminders about the simple things as sometimes there are just days that no matter how much you remember that darn quote it will not, in fact, be the best day in the year.


Simple things like how my cats are finally getting along.

And its time for Fall colored nail polish {and the pumpkin spice latte it back!!!).


Or how I got to see this little one last weekend


and spend time with his Mama.


Sometimes the simple things are the best things.  Lets not forget!

4 comments:

  1. I absolutely love this post, Jodi. And I needed this. I've been doing a lot of that "Today is going to suck" stuff lately and I need to stop it. Thank you for posting this. And I'm off to sign up for those quotes!! :)

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  2. having one of those weeks too...im right there with ya lady! I have this emerson quote taped to my computer: "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."...i look at it and take a deep breath in and out...and I think it helps :)

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    1. Thanks Ashlee! I did this at work today and it was amazing how much better I felt after that deep breath!

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  3. Thanks for the comment on my blog!

    I am actually reading The Happiness Project right now. I LOVE that quote and may have to remind myself of it in the morning when I'm sleepy and grumpy! ;-)

    XO,

    Your newest follower!

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