Have you heard of the expression "God laughs at those who have plans?" That is basically saying we cannot determine how our life will unfold. Case in point; recently I planned to do some yardwork, it rained nearly all week. Last weekend, I had some organizing and paperwork to complete then the power went out for over two days. Today, as I write this, I have paintings I want to finish, but I have sadly caught my son's cold so I am feeling less than amazing. Note: The only thing worse than a cold in the winter is getting one in June! Fortunately, I am good at planning and even though not all the boxes on my to-do list are checked off, I am making steady progress. I even went for a walk in my coughing, sore-throated, fatigued state. That's a win and a great start to my day I say!
Did you know that some of the most affluent people do some of the least amount of work? I recently heard on a podcast that most successful people give themselves 3 daily goals. They prioritize those and once done, anything else is a bonus. They don't get up in their head about 340 tasks. They focus on 3. Three that will move their business and goals to where they want to be. If it takes them 10 hours then so be it, if it takes 2 that's ok also. It's about completing 3 tasks and once completed they don't fret about other concerns until the next day. So why then do we worry about getting all 275 things done? Why when we are doing one task do we think about the next one before the first one is even finished? Why do we feel like a failure if we don't get everything completed we wanted to? Why, my dear friends are we so hard on ourselves? After all, life is meant to be FUN!
On my walk today I focused on mindfulness. I didn't think about what I would do when I got home, whether I would have a tea or a coffee- or both. I didn't think about which next painting I would finish, or even what the subject of my next journal would be (guess what? it's about making plans). I focused on the walk itself. I listened to the birds. I noticed how good it is that my body could take me from here to there and then back again. I thought about how neat our joints work and how taking in a big breath of air and releasing it slowly can have such an awesome calming effect. Lungs are cool. I looked in awe at the trees and how the big branches can hold little branches and thousands of leaves and how the biggest birds can perch high atop what appears the smallest tree. I listened to the bugs chirp and also some unsettling ruffling in the bushes (was it a squirrel? a fox? a bear?). Despite a couple omg-what-was-that moments, I focused on my heart-rate and my breathing, the journey itself. I was looking at this adventure as an experience; one that I would never have again. Oh sure, I go on walks everyday, but I won't ever see the leaves in such a way, hear and see the same birds and have the exact same experience. We will never live the same day twice. Which is why we must enjoy each as it comes.
We have the illusion of control. We make schedules, add appointments to our calendars and compose to-do lists. But the universe has other plans for us. Often these unexpected detours turn out to be magical and better than we expected. Like the time I found the perfect rental. After having owned a home for years, I left to travel for work for many years and finding myself back in Canada, needed a place to live. I found a place that was gorgeous! It was large, lake-front, even had a sauna! It needed work, but it was definitely livable and had loads of potential. The problem? They wanted me to move in April 1, I didn't need it until the end of May. I was so disappointed. My mother, offering her words of encouragement, said quote "don't worry, something better will come up." She was right! I found a newer place, move-in ready, also lake-view, with a stunning property- not far from the first place! It brought me joy for three years until I bought my own place again.
We need to remind ourselves that all moments are fleeting. Even now. You are reading this journal (thank you for that!) and in a week - heck - even a few hours, you will no longer remember this article. It is my hope and goal that although you may not recall the contents of this studio edition, that you remember how it made you feel. That it will remind you to slow down, appreciate the moments life brings us (yes, even the not-the-best ones), and practice gratitude.
Let me start. I am so grateful to have you part of this incredible community and to be doing what makes me so truly happy. Now your turn.
Until next time. Keep your light shining. Do something kind for a stranger. Embrace life. Don't give into fear. Choose joy!
Appreciate you.
-Julie
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