Recently in my life I have been involved in more activities that can feel daunting, difficult, and in the moment sometimes redundant. Whether in the weight room, workplace, classroom, etc. I have noticed myself, along with many others, begin to approach these activities as a tedious and unfortunate chore that I just need to check off the list to gain a gold star to stick on my forehead. It has been an intentional effort of mine to begin to feel grateful for all these moments, and feed on them going forward and here is why: “Anyone can love a flower, but it takes a certain mindset to love a leaf. It’s ordinary to appreciate the beautiful, but it is beautiful to love and appreciate the ordinary.” Some examples in life that I have noticed when I have appreciated the ordinary, and considered it a blessing: -What a blessing to get to wake up this early -What a blessing to have to get to sleep early -What a blessing to be this busy -What a blessing to have a drained social battery -What a blessing to get to learn this much -What a blessing to be able to complete this difficult workout -What a blessing to feel bloated from overeating -What a blessing to have this many people to miss -What a blessing to be exhausted after a long day of work -What a blessing to feel scared about the future Some of these may feel rough in the moment, but realizing the reasons for which you are doing these things can remind you why they are so worth while, and why for that reason you are so blessed.

When you shower in the morning, you think about what you will make for breakfast and if you will have time. While walking to work or class, you think about how much work you have to do after you get out. While walking back you think about how good the weekend will feel and all the fun you will have. While at the gym you think about what you can make for dinner and how much time that will take. When spending time with friends, you think about how much you are spreading yourself thin to get what you need to get done. While laying to bed you think about how you will have to do it all again tomorrow. When the weekend finally comes, you think of the beginning of next week and the work you will have to do all over again. If the present is what determines the future, and we are always dwelling or stressing about our future, how can we be effective in the present? Because a focus on the present is what can create a more peaceful future rather than one that looks the same as the present.