PICKING UP THE PIECES

After a life set back, I often find that my energy is tired, my mood depressed, and my thoughts in the gutter. I easily slip into being hard on myself and judging my own creations. When I hit this phase, which I liken to getting stuck in a ditch on the side of the road, I pull out my all-purpose multi-tool that I call radical appreciation.

Radical appreciation is when you sit exactly where you are today and express gratitude for every small detail that you can think of. You bless the sky, the water, and the air. And then you keep going from there, naming every single thing you can think of to be grateful for.

When I drop into radical appreciation, nothing escapes my notice. Or my appreciation.

I appreciate a clean bathroom.

I appreciate the smell of something cooking in the next room.

I appreciate that today is Friday and the weekend is beginning.

How I got into a funk is irrelevant. In fact, when I try to dissect why I am stuck in the ditch, I find myself in cycles of shame and blame, mad at myself for getting stuck. The better course? Dip a toe into the well of appreciation and soon allow your entire self to be submerged.

When I do this, I find new things to notice.

I appreciate that my pens are all back in their proper place.

I appreciate that I have a healthy body and mind.

I appreciate that people I love are safe and healthy too.

Nothing is off limits for a bout of radical appreciation. I prescribe myself 15 minutes of radical appreciation and it always works to get me out of the ditch.

I notice that my hair feels good.

I notice that the house feels cool.

I notice that I feel more like myself when I appreciate.

Radical appreciation forces you to look around the room and notice anything good.

I have an outlet to charge my phone.

I have a planter with a lush plant.

I have a cozy throw for when I am cold.

All of it gets air time as I scan my surroundings for anything to appreciate. And in the course of a few minutes, my wheels gain traction. I pull myself out of the ditch and get back on the road to success.

Radical appreciation has never failed me. Radical appreciation is free. Radication appreciation could be the tool you need to turn the tide from ennui to excitement. Give it a try!