Hmm… Last week I practiced being aware of when I go off to la-la land of “If I could just” and bringing myself back to the present and reminding myself I’m okay.

That went pretty well.

I made great progress planning my days.

I watched my travels to the land of “If only” and how much time I can spend fantasizing about when X happens, then Y will never happen again (Y always involves never feeling anxious or fearful or stupid again).

I wrote an hour on my novel every morning except Thursday when I did a radio tour that started at 4:15 am. I talked about summer de-stressing on behalf of SC Johnson and their cool new product Off! Clip-On.

It was a complete blast to spread a simple message of self-kindness.

Whenever I do something like this, I’m always astonished how hungry people are for a bit of bright loving energy and a few doable ideas.

Most of us are so lost in our craziness, we need tiny wake-up calls.

I forget that. I think I need to reinvent the wheel.

Note to self: stop that.

Little Things Work

Over at the Comfort Cafe, we’re taking simple actions on one desire. Women are experiencing little miracles of energy and focus and moving ahead with ease.

Like NayNay:

I’ve really struggled to choose one thing. I mean REALLY struggled. I’ve been trying to declutter and lose weight and be more creative…and, and, and…but since Sunday I’ve been able to eat very healthy and walk regularly. I’m feeling so good that I think that’s the ‘one thing’ I want to take simple action on this month. That way, maybe I can keep the feelings at bay, “Oh, I have to be perfect, Oh, I just blew it…” and come back to “what is one simple action I can take today toward health…”

Today, I noticed myself eating two of the small Dove dark chocolate w/almond pieces. In mid-bite of the second one, I decided that I didn’t have to eat that and put the rest of it back in the wrapper for another day. Wow!

Wow is right.

Choice in action.

The mind whispers,

You need a plan. You need to do it right. You need to know it’s going to turn out perfectly. There are so many things  you need / want to do, what’s the point in picking just one? You have to do it all right now or it doesn’t count.

The truth is life is always lived one step at a time.

You can rest there, in that simplicity, and listen for what your next step is

or

You can believe your mind and chew your leg off waiting to know.

Or as one of my character, Serge, said in my novel, “Knowing is vastly over-rated.”

This Week

I’m going to pay attention to the fact I can choose to shift my mood.

I am adept at seeing that I am in a mood -which is the first step.

I’m getting good at seeing how thoughts trigger a mood – like reading something beautifully written and having the thought,

Why bother trying to write fiction, you’ll never be about to write like that…

then finding myself in a mood of resignation and “What’s the point?”

This week I will lovingly notice that I have a choice to shift my mood.

I don’t have to take it – I can stay in the mood I am in – but I will declare to myself that I have the choice.

Given how much I have on my plate these next six weeks, and the fact my daughter is gearing up for finals, choosing to see my mood, instead of giving in to the story of I’m-so-busy-and-stressed-and-that’s-just-the-way-it-is could be very, very helpful.

What will you notice this week?  I’d love to hear!