Worry less. Find gratitude more.

We worry about things we can't control. We worry about things that haven't happened yet, and often never happen. What if we spent more time thinking about all the great things that might happen? Or what if we let go of expectations all together?

I wasted a whole lot of energy assuming Christmas would be hard this year. It had been hard for years and this was to be my first Christmas without my kids Christmas Eve...so obviously it was going to be terribly sad. The funny thing is though, I must have forgotten for a moment how freaking incredible my kids are, because they made it one of the best Christmas days ever!

My 13 year old came over quickly at 7am, because she couldn't wait any longer to give me a special gift. What ended up making it even more special...I had gotten her the identical thing!!! Matching necklaces from a local jeweler! Even more bizarre, we bought them when we were out shopping together, secretly and neither of us knew! It was perfect! Then they all came home at 10am for our traditional brunch of smoked salmon and bagels, along with the great company of "The Uncles"...It was so happy! The thoughtful gifts from my kids made me tear up each time. I am so incredibly grateful to have had even a small part (really a big part) in helping these kids become kind and caring humans! We had our traditional supper at The Uncles house that evening. Great food, lots of love and laughs all around. There was no need, at all, to worry. 

Change isn't always half as bad or worrisome as we make it out to be. It may not be a welcomed change, but it may also work out much better than expected. So, for 2022, I'm not writing down any resolutions. I'm not setting out unrealistic diet goals, intense behavioral change goals, etc, but I really am going to try to worry less. Things have a strange way of working out and for that, I am grateful.

I have read some great books recently about creating change and breaking habits in your life. Also about gratitude and better mindsets for making decisions. It all seems to naturally become part of my life and part of my journey of growth....so again, not resolutions so much as positive implementations. 

Here is one example: When you have a tough decision to make, something that you're finding quite stressful, stop and focus on something you're grateful for. Really focus on what it is and how it makes you feel. Then think of a second thing and then a third. Really soak in that gratitude. Then go back to the tough issue and decide what is the best course of action. There is so much clarity and peace making hard decisions with a grateful heart. Trust me. It works! 

Life is hard, at times. We are taught lessons, sometimes repeatedly, until we fully learn them. We take the hard road sometimes, even when we know better. There truly is so much to be grateful for though. A grateful heart and worrying a little lesson goes a long way. Join me, won't you?