This year that I had been dreading has already surprised me.
I had imagined a bleak January with the impending inauguration and a completely unknown landscape ahead of us.
I imagined myself having to be extra mindful* about not getting swept up into the sea of despair, extra mindful of moments of gratitude because they were apt to be overshadowed by worries and doubts, extra mindful of negative self-talk because I over-indulged at the holidays and need to get back to healthier eating habits.
Instead, I had a delightful weekend filled with wonder, beauty, connection and love. Moments of laughter, moments of silence, moments of arguing, moments of singing - all of it made it a very full and fulfilling weekend.
So, I ask myself, what made it special and why? Which of my values were getting extra air time this weekend?
We celebrated my daughter’s 14th birthday. I couldn’t be more proud of the individual she is becoming, her quirkiness, her sense of wonder, her sense of humor. The years go quickly, and I cherish these fleeting moments when she still wants to play Yahtzee with her mom or go for a walk in the snow together.
She couldn’t have been more excited about the snowstorm we ordered up for her birthday. Being the first significant snowfall of the season, the kids were eager to play outside. Playing in the snow is one of the few times they actually all manage to play together without it dissolving into an argument. I listened to their laughter, their shrieks and exclamations while I made bread, baked a cake and made the Indian dishes my daughter had requested for her birthday dinner.
Time at home cooking, playing outside, getting along, celebrating a birthday - all of these experiences nourish my values of home life, family, fresh air, simplicity, harmony and celebration.
I also made time this weekend for singing at church, meeting with a client, relaxing on the couch and participating in a group mindfulness and movement practice - all of which are aligned with my values of connection, expression, rejuvenation, creativity and witnessing.
So much to appreciate, so much to be grateful for - my heart is filled with love.
With a full heart, I am much more prepared for what is bound to come: fractious and divisive politics, arguments with my kids, too much on my plate, too much screen time. With a full heart, I can find the compassion, the faith, the resilience that will be required.
And this is the magic of fulfillment:
when we walk in alignment with our own inner truth, we become a vessel for love.
What are you appreciating in this moment? In what way do you feel fulfilled? What value is being honored here?
*I wonder if there is such a thing as extra mindful? Perhaps there is only mindful or not mindful...
I had imagined a bleak January with the impending inauguration and a completely unknown landscape ahead of us.
I imagined myself having to be extra mindful* about not getting swept up into the sea of despair, extra mindful of moments of gratitude because they were apt to be overshadowed by worries and doubts, extra mindful of negative self-talk because I over-indulged at the holidays and need to get back to healthier eating habits.
Instead, I had a delightful weekend filled with wonder, beauty, connection and love. Moments of laughter, moments of silence, moments of arguing, moments of singing - all of it made it a very full and fulfilling weekend.
So, I ask myself, what made it special and why? Which of my values were getting extra air time this weekend?
We celebrated my daughter’s 14th birthday. I couldn’t be more proud of the individual she is becoming, her quirkiness, her sense of wonder, her sense of humor. The years go quickly, and I cherish these fleeting moments when she still wants to play Yahtzee with her mom or go for a walk in the snow together.
She couldn’t have been more excited about the snowstorm we ordered up for her birthday. Being the first significant snowfall of the season, the kids were eager to play outside. Playing in the snow is one of the few times they actually all manage to play together without it dissolving into an argument. I listened to their laughter, their shrieks and exclamations while I made bread, baked a cake and made the Indian dishes my daughter had requested for her birthday dinner.
Time at home cooking, playing outside, getting along, celebrating a birthday - all of these experiences nourish my values of home life, family, fresh air, simplicity, harmony and celebration.
I also made time this weekend for singing at church, meeting with a client, relaxing on the couch and participating in a group mindfulness and movement practice - all of which are aligned with my values of connection, expression, rejuvenation, creativity and witnessing.
So much to appreciate, so much to be grateful for - my heart is filled with love.
With a full heart, I am much more prepared for what is bound to come: fractious and divisive politics, arguments with my kids, too much on my plate, too much screen time. With a full heart, I can find the compassion, the faith, the resilience that will be required.
And this is the magic of fulfillment:
when we walk in alignment with our own inner truth, we become a vessel for love.
What are you appreciating in this moment? In what way do you feel fulfilled? What value is being honored here?
*I wonder if there is such a thing as extra mindful? Perhaps there is only mindful or not mindful...
Jessica Curtis is a professional life coach who helps people cultivate intention and live from a place of meaning and authenticity. If you think you could benefit from working with Jessica or want to invite her to work with your group, reach out to start a conversation.
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