As I begin my March update, I find myself wanting to give you sunshine.
Looking though the assortment of articles I've started, they feel long and heavy to
me – filled with advice on how to survive, how to make do, how to become
comfortable in uncomfortable times. But maybe what we need is simpler than
that. Maybe we just need to reconnect to the little pleasures in our lives, those
special people, things and events that already surround us.
As children it was easy to become absorbed in small pleasures. I remember
spending entire afternoons in the hills near my home, exploring, playing, and
finding new things. Fun was any place I could pretend was a house – I'd flatten tall
grass, find a crook in our grapefruit tree, or sit in a hollow bush – anything to
provide walls for my little tea parties.
It's easy to get disconnected from the small delights in our lives, especially
when we hear what sounds like dire news every day. Finding and enjoying these
pleasures can provide warmth and texture to these precarious times.
Below is my "Sunshine List" for today - just a sample of what brings sunshine into
my life:
What puts the sunshine into your life? Take a moment, put your feet
up, and grab a pencil and paper and create your own Sunshine List.
Now that you've created your list, what can you do with it? Here are a few ideas:
It's important not to get lost in the tension of everyday life. Staying connected
with the small things that make us happy builds a storehouse of pleasure that can
provide balance when troubles or worries strike. Take a look at your list – how
many things on it are available to you every day? How many items on your list
not only give you pleasure, but also give joy to someone else? Our lists are filled
with rich pleasures that increase the quality of our lives and of those around us.
Looking though the assortment of articles I've started, they feel long and heavy to
me – filled with advice on how to survive, how to make do, how to become
comfortable in uncomfortable times. But maybe what we need is simpler than
that. Maybe we just need to reconnect to the little pleasures in our lives, those
special people, things and events that already surround us.
As children it was easy to become absorbed in small pleasures. I remember
spending entire afternoons in the hills near my home, exploring, playing, and
finding new things. Fun was any place I could pretend was a house – I'd flatten tall
grass, find a crook in our grapefruit tree, or sit in a hollow bush – anything to
provide walls for my little tea parties.
It's easy to get disconnected from the small delights in our lives, especially
when we hear what sounds like dire news every day. Finding and enjoying these
pleasures can provide warmth and texture to these precarious times.
Below is my "Sunshine List" for today - just a sample of what brings sunshine into
my life:
- My breakfast, every day.
- A sunny walk at lunchtime with my daughter Niki.
- Watching reality shows with my friend Ginnon.
- Taking a hot bath on a cold day.
- A coaching session where my client has an "ah ha!" moment.
- Being able to exchange stories about our High School days with my friend
Jenny. - Goofing around with my coach and friend, Michael, when we're supposed to
be working. - My house, especially when it's clean.
- Finishing an article that I believe really captures what I want to
communicate. - Seeing my cat roll around in ecstasy just because I walked in my front
door.
What puts the sunshine into your life? Take a moment, put your feet
up, and grab a pencil and paper and create your own Sunshine List.
Now that you've created your list, what can you do with it? Here are a few ideas:
- Post it where you'll see it every day and make sure you do at least one thing
on your list daily - Each day add a new item to your list
- Create a whole new list of 10 items every day for a week
- If your list includes loved ones like mine does, share your list with them
and suggest they write one of their own - Even if you don't do another thing with your list, be aware of the things that
add pleasure to your day and add them to your mental Sunshine List
It's important not to get lost in the tension of everyday life. Staying connected
with the small things that make us happy builds a storehouse of pleasure that can
provide balance when troubles or worries strike. Take a look at your list – how
many things on it are available to you every day? How many items on your list
not only give you pleasure, but also give joy to someone else? Our lists are filled
with rich pleasures that increase the quality of our lives and of those around us.
| Find the Sunshine In Your Life |
Do you need more sunshine in your life? Check out coaching! Send me an e-mail or call me at (510) 865-7115 to
set up a free consultation today! And please pass this e-mail on to anyone you think might be interested in my
services.
set up a free consultation today! And please pass this e-mail on to anyone you think might be interested in my
services.
| If you would like to be removed from my mailing list, please send an email to melinda@melindaelliottcoaching.com with the word “Remove” in the subject line. |
March, 2009
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| © 2009 Melinda Elliott Coaching, LLC |
| (510)865-7115 · melinda@melindaelliottcoaching.com · Services · Who is Melinda? |
