What’s in this issue:
💭 Thought: The danger of “When… then…” stories
📚 Read: Every kid needs a champion
😆 Today’s Laugh
In case you’ve ever wondered what a dog looks like mid-shake:
Photograph: Carli Davidson
💭 Today’s Thought
“For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.”
- Alfred D. Souza
Be on the lookout for “When… then…” stories — those stories we tell ourselves that promise happiness, relief, or success just on the other side of an obstacle:
I just need to get through this month, then things will calm down.
When I get a promotion, then I’ll be successful.
When this project wraps up, I’ll have more time to pick up a hobby / exercise / prioritize myself.
The uncomfortable realities are:
Many times, how we think we’ll feel / what we think will happen after we achieve a “when” isn’t what we actually experience. This can be a massive letdown.
There will always be another “when…” on the heels of the one we get through — another project, another transition, another tight deadline. Life tends not to get easier.
Our “whens” are often outside of our full control and thus, we place our worth, success, or happiness in someone else’s hands.
When you find yourself caught in a “When… then…” story, ask:
What do you imagine will be different for you once you have that / get there?
And then for a more provocative question: What if you could experience that difference now, without needing to wait? What would that be like?
Obstacles are our lives — don’t delay your fulfillment, joy, or success until you’ve conquered them all.
📚 Today’s Read
This 7-minute TED Talk will leave you with a profound appreciation for our educators, an inspiring call to champion our children, and a bold invitation to “leave a legacy of relationships that can never disappear”. Click here to watch. Who will you champion? What legacy will you leave through your relationships?
See you next week!
xo,
Anne