So often we get stuck in the day-to-day hustle and forget to acknowledge what’s really important. If someone were to ask “What’s most important to you?” we would be quick to respond with things like family, friends, being a good person, and so on. Unfortunately, we allow ourselves to get sidetracked a lot and temporarily “forget” our priorities. Unanswered emails clamor for our attention, deadlines and “to-do” lists clutter up our minds and steal our attention. As a way to temporarily silence these outside distractions, I like to look back over the past month and remind myself what is beautiful in my life. I try to identify three things that have happened in the past few weeks that I am grateful for and recognize them. I remind myself that these are what make up my life and have value. And for them, I am grateful.

Top 3 things I’m grateful for in July

1. Unexpected pay-I know, it seems like a really weird thing to be on this list. But when you lose your job, knowing you have a few extra weeks of pay before needing to file for unemployment is an amazing gift. It buys me extra time which is one of the rare instances in which “time” can ever be purchased.
2. Complimentary coworkers-When you’re losing your job, it’s really, REALLY easy to worry, stress, and feel down. In my last month of work, I had several people help to ease my concerns with their kinds words and praise.
3. Experiencing the zoo through a toddler’s eyes-My father-in-law’s annual work picnic is at the Milwaukee Zoo. Zach got to go for the second time (the first he was barely over a month old) and experience the animals, the train, and the carousel. He was not a big fan of the carousel.
4. Visiting with friends-That’s right, I have a fourth one this month. I got to spend a few hours catching up with, and introducing Zach to, one of my dear friends who lives out-of-state. She made us some amazing chicken parmesan and we chatted for a few hours. I hadn’t seen her in at least two years.

What are you grateful for this month?

-To your Better Life-

Kira