The dally duo. The two gifts we get every time we open our eyes. Every day we are lucky enough to wake up in the morning, even before our feet hit the ground, two things are simultaneously true:
We are one day closer to the 'end'. Not very motivating, I know. Everything about life has an expiration date and every morning, we are closer and closer to it. Everything is temporary; everything is on a lease. Like sand through an hourglass, everything we hold dear (loved ones, careers, relationships, money, friendships, relevance, parents/children, good health, possessions, influence...) will all slip away. The beauty in this finite arrangement we've inherited is that it gives us a much-needed sense of urgency. A greater impetus take action and not waste the precious gift of a day. So whatever it is we need to get after, let's do it today. In a way, procrastination can actually be a form of arrogance and entitlement; we act as if tomorrow is guaranteed to us so we put things off with the confidence or delusion that we'll have another chance. No one promised us 'tomorrow'. No one owes us 'tomorrow'. Let's turn 'some day' into today. Urgency is a gift wrapped in today, use it.
Everything I shared above is the very reason for us to activate the second gift, GRATITUDE. Just waking up in the morning, is reason enough for immense gratitude. Many across the globe didn't get that gift, you and I did; that's worthy of thankfulness. One more day to say 'I love you', one more day to get 'it' right, another opportunity to finally start whatever we've been putting off, one more chance to say 'I'm sorry', to make that phone call, to enjoy that cup of coffee, to write your grandma, to laugh out loud, hug your kids....these are all gifts and blessings we get to enjoy every day we wake up. You see, of all the virtues available to us, gratitude is by far, the most foundational and can best anchor us for all that life throws at us. Whatever challenges you're navigating right now, if there was a way to put them on some online global auction, I promise you there will be the biggest bidding war and they will all be ‘sold out’ in seconds!
So many people would LOVE to trade places with you and have all of your 'problems'. When we use the law of contrast and juxtapose our lives with billions across this spinning blue dot, we can start to have better perspective on our gifts and have greater appreciation for what we have. Gratitude is for both the sunshine as well as the rain in our lives; we can't just cherry-pick. Remember, Life happens ‘for’ us and not ‘to’ us; so, both good days and bad days serve a purpose. Even the scars of yesterday can help tomorrow become best healers for others. One of the great ways to get more in life is to first be thankful for what you already have, a daily opportunity.
Every morning, let the gifts of Urgency and Gratitude inspire and motivate you to get 'from' the day and not just get 'through' the day. A chance to make the most of the day and try to improve on yesterday. Use today to be a better Leader, a better friend, a better partner…a better YOU.
Lou’s book of the week: The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
“We are born into this world looking like our parents. We will leave this world looking like our decisions.”