10/5/26: PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH
Last week, I talked about starting to focus on the things I am grateful for to push the things I am anxious about out of mind. I’m happy to say that I had quite a few personal wins in that department and it most certainly does help me have a more positive perspective on life. While it is going to be a work in progress for…..well…..ever, it really changed my perspective yesterday while I was doing some yard work.
As anyone with oak trees knows, this has been a ridiculously heavy year for acorns and nuts I have raked up more nuts this year already than I have in any of the previous 25 years at our house, and it feels like I’ve barely scratched the surface. Yesterday I was in our back yard raking up nuts from our black walnut tree and our neighbor father was sitting outside watching me. I am guessing he is now in his late 80’s or early 90’s, even though my wife and I joke that it seems like he was that old when we bought our house 25 years ago.
For a brief instant, my mind went to the thought of, “it must be nice to not have to rake up all these nuts”. But then almost without even thinking, it shifted to that place of gratitude, and I immediately became thankful that I have the physical capability to wield a rake, and to live in a house and in a climate that allows us to have big, beautiful trees. If I could choose, 100 out of 100 times I would choose to be in the position of having those chores and the ability to get them done as opposed to not having the physical capability.
Barely looking at my phone today, I knocked off chores that I have been wanting to do for days, some for months, and a couple for years. As I am going up and down stairs and heading out to the stores I needed to go to, I really reminded myself how incredibly lucky I am to be able to move freely on my legs to effortlessly take care of the things I wanted to accomplish. We all know, but sometimes get complacent on the realization that our life can change in an instant. I’ve really started to think how I would react if I suffered a severe physical issue that prevented me from doing the things I love. If I can’t be grateful and joyful in the state I am currently in, I have a real problem. I’m looking forward to another week of focusing on being grateful. Hopefully, you have started your own journey as well.
