Gratitude notes for July 2018
- Somebody was telling me how they were dreading an engagement they’d scheduled for this evening. I rarely find myself in that position nowadays and am very happy that’s the case.
- I’m very lucky that I don’t have any issues with my health. Even my bad days are pretty great, better than most probably. I don’t know how much longer I’ll have this body, but I’m having a great time using it in the meantime. I’m thankful I’ve leased it for as long as I have.
- I appreciate that my life has come with batteries included. In the world I live in, I have a relatively slim chance of ending up on the street or losing my mind/grip on reality. My chances are slim because I grew up with people who cared about me and who provided for me and my future. I’m very fortunate for that and am grateful for my countless mentors who’ve taught me well.
- I’m so lucky to be around such cool people as I was today, all the way from arriving at the office to lunch to leaving at the end of the day. I get along with solitude pretty nicely, but being with others really makes my day.
- I did this new thing during my run today where on each stride, I pointed my leading fingers towards the ground in dance-move fashion. I did this for miles and really felt like I’d picked up into a higher gear or something. It was so much fun and I’m lucky that my body is still capable of taking me on my little morning jogging trips.
- I’m grateful for how painfully clear it is to me that everything is temporary. It really drowns out the noise and puts what matters in the forefront at full volume. My life becomes more meaningful as a result, which just feels perpetually good.
- I estimate that 1 in 8 people I pass on my jog each morning are homeless. Given the wrong circumstances, who’s to say that I couldn’t become one of them? I’m thankful to be fortunate enough never to have experienced those lows.
- I’m experimenting with how I view food right now. I’ve been thinking of it in terms of its effects on my daily productivity and how it fits within the greater context of my life. The results so far have been positive. I haven’t been sleepy during the day, and I’ve successfully prevented myself from indulging in foods that don’t help me in any way. I’m greatful for enough willpower and perspective to affect my habits this way.
- My co-worker did this hilarious lifting pose today with his triceps that has had me laughing on and off for the rest of the day. It’s something about the intensity in his eyes as he struggles for that next rep. I love that I can giggle over something so silly for so long.
- I know I won’t have my body and this health much longer, and I’m grateful for the chance to use it by having fun today running and dancing around like a silly person. I’ll be happy I did those things when my health is gone.
- I just discovered the Serial podcast this evening, and I’m really liking the first episode so far. The funny thing is I discovered it because of an accidental text message!
- I’m grateful for the freedom of my time. I could be bound to obligations that don’t really improve my life, but I’m free of those! I remember days when I wouldn’t defend my time, and I’m glad I don’t have that dread in my life right now.
- I had a lot of babies smile at me today. One was enjoying herself as our airplane was landing. Another was enjoying himself jumping into a pool today. Each baby gave me the chance to smile back!
- I’m a bit sleep-deprived, but I was still able to make it outside for a run this morning. My extremities collect and retain fluid when I’m tired, but it wasn’t incapacitating today, which I’m very thankful for.
- I had sweet conversation with a girl at the water fountain. I was too cheap to buy bottled water, so I was washing my breakfast down at the fountain. She came up and filled her water bottle at the adjacent fountain. We went back and forth about how much better her idea was. It was nice just to connect, even over seemingly nothing.
- Today, I discovered just how much friendlier people in boats are compared to people in cars. They all wave. Some wave more than once! The cool thing was it felt good to wave back when I knew they’d hoped somebody would.
- I’m grateful for deciding to turn today into a trip. Not taking the trip would’ve been okay, but the trip ended up surprisingly well and gave me a positive lasting impression of a place I’d never been to before.
- It feels really good to get used to a climate in a way that air conditioning no longer seems necessary, even though the temperature hasn’t dropped. It’s just the way the wind makes you feel cool enough that temperature no longer seems an issue. I think I underestimate warm days with open windows.
- I met a kid at the Dance Dance Revolution machine at Dave and Buster’s tonight. He was real friendly and helped me get better at the game. We played several rounds together. What a sweet guy!
- I love that I really get to have fun and laugh all day. I was just noticing how much fun work is when I’m with my teammates, whether our projects criss-cross or not. I think I’m just really lucky to be in the flow I’m in right now.
- I took my time and slept in this morning. I needed it, and I skipped my workout. That, in itself, is an utter luxury. There are people all over the globe who either can’t afford that rest or are not allowed that rest, and suffer in one or more ways because of it. Just to have the freedom to manage my own time (and do it well) really is a gift.
- I’m thankful that I get to meet so many people in my life. I met and talked to two new people today and got to learn so much about their lives. That’s such a gift, both to have them around and to have them available for a quick, meaningful discussion.
- I’ve been carrying around clothes with me for the better half of a decade that I’ve never worn. This week, I’ve started trying them out, and it turns out I like them! I just got some “free” clothes!
- I really enjoyed lifting with a friend today. It’s just more fun. I wouldn’t be doing it if we hadn’t noticed our aligned interests and lifting styles, so I’m really thankful that we found that overlap.
- I’ve been adopting my mindset of having a “lease” on my life recently, and I’ve really enjoyed the effects that perspective brings. I’m grateful I’m able to experiment that way and so effectively. I doubt that it’s the right or wrong way to live, but I’m glad I’ve stuck to a style that brings me daily fulfillment.
- Today reached well over 100 degrees outside. It was exciting in the same way a thunderstorm is exciting. I had A/C all day, but I made sure I spent a few minutes basking in the dry hotness of it.
- I’m grateful for ballroom dancing. It’s really just a fun, casual way to spend time with other people who like dancing as much as you do. I love that it’s not any more complicated than that.
- We built a playlist today and listened to it in the office. My co-workers have really good taste in music; I guess I can’t say I’m surprised, but it was definitely cool to get along with the same contagious vibes throughout the afternoon.
- Today’s been my fourth day in a row grilling for one of my main meals. Can I make tomorrow my fifth?
- I tried a new workout with my friend today. I really enjoyed it and it was exactly the kind of pace that’ll keep me on it for a while. I’m thankful that I get to do things like that with people I like.