This week was a little crazy. Suddenly we have two kids in high school and we're trying to sort out new routines. I'm racing toward a writing deadline; my husband is always busy, but was especially so this week. We slept in twice -- twice! ack! -- and with temps in the 40s, everyone's feeling hot and a little overwhelmed around here.
Summer. Start of a new school year. Life is busy and sweet.
And then I got a jolt of happiness...
Driving to the train station yet again to pick up a high schooler, I listened to a podcast with Jonathan Fields. So good!
He said to ask this question:
Wow.
Have you ever thought about yourself in this way?
What do people thank you for? Because that's your secret sauce. Your answers will be what light you up -- your contribution to the world.
I found it both hard and easy to come up with a list, but eventually it was this. Here's what people thank ME for:
- Being 'nice' - doing thoughtful things
- Writing - especially when I describe how someone else feels, or when I write their 'truth'
- Celebrating - for reminding friends & family to do it more
- Baking - chocolate cake, anyone??
- Enthusiasm
- How I wrap gifts (weird, but true: I could wrap presents all day, every day)...
Jonathan's right. People thank me for the things that make me feel JOY. The best compliments I've ever been given are you write like an angel (awwww, thanks Judy!) and your light shines out of you.
Try it -- it's so interesting. What do people thank YOU for? Does your list hold a key to who you are?
Maybe it's time to do more of what you love.
Here's permission from the universe (if you need it): let it rip. Let your light shine.
<NYE 2016 with girls who also love to celebrate. :) I first saw this line from Mary Oliver's poem, "The Summer Day" on Jonathan Field's website.>