Reframing errands

I’m thankful today. 

Granted, it is a beautiful day and arguably easy to feel satisfied when the sun is shining, it’s a temperate 70 degrees, and you want for none of life’s essentials. But I think there’s more to it than that. Personally, if I’m in the sun too long I actually get very crabby. 

I think it has much more to do with mindset, and very little to do with circumstances at all. Certainly circumstances and the perceived, or real lack thereof can sway our outlook tremendously. But they change, and we often have very little control over them. What do we maintain control over? Indeed, our minds—our thoughts. Neurological pathways feeding temperaments of life or death.

I was told once as a young woman that the way out of my depression was to count my blessings and to will myself to be grateful. But no matter how much I counted, journaled about, or called to mind could I make my blessings feel any less hollow. And what I find fascinating about that encouragement now, is that it’s true! Cultivating a grateful heart does foster a lightness of spirit. But how and when that truth was dispensed, was precisely when I could neither hear nor internalize it.  Timing really is everything, even when it’s truth.

And so I’m chuckling to myself, thinking about how much that truth has been internalized in my own life now, so many years later. But what an impossibility it was to accept then, partially because I was so filled with resentment over unmet expectations.  It’s reason to give others space and empathy—to not beleaguer them with truth, but rather offer a softness of ear and an understanding that time and the Holy Spirit will always have their perfect way—the best way of revealing truth that mends broken, angry hearts.

Truth remains truth, but having the wisdom and discernment to dispense it when it can be received and embodied is an entirely different matter all together. We can’t always hear what we need to hear.

And there are still many times when circumstances and personal misgivings easily cause my mindset to waiver. Just last night I was tossing and turning thinking about conversations with disgruntled co-workers inadvertently planting seeds of lack, stress, uncertainty, position, and general indigence. I was riling myself up with thoughts of, “I’m poor and inconsequential.” Yet today, the thought had not crossed my mind again. And in light of how beautifully simple my day had been, it seems silly to have given it so much attention.

And perhaps it’s me getting older, but something as simple as killing a to-do list reframes my mindset so positively. To start, making the list can come with a bit of trepidation, but you know when you’re setting goals that land neatly in the necessary and doable camp or the “yah, definitely, maybe, actually, probably not” camp. I love logistics, so even strategizing every stop becomes rewarding as I navigate my errands swiftly and smartly. And not to mention, hiking up three flights of stairs for every trip doesn’t hurt my derriere, either. 

So I’m remembering that encouragement from so many years ago; now better able to willingly, simply, and honestly count my blessings:

beautifully executed errands, gorgeous warmth and streaming sunshine

…and alcohol infused homemade muffins—the topper of an unglorious, reframed day.