Lists of Five   

People often ask me how I come up with ideas for these blogs.  The answer is, “I don’t know!”  Things I read in my daily perusal of information and emails often spark curiosity or outrage, and I follow up on that with my thoughts and observations.

I actually thought about writing on some of these this week because there has been much to write about.  But when I sat down, none of them were sufficiently inspiring or motivated me enough to spend time in developing and crafting a full piece.

Instead . . .

This week I decided to just take an inventory of what is often an unconscious process and share that with you.  Not to educate or challenge – just to share.  It turned out to be an interesting exercise in reflecting, recalling, and then listing things that are now a done deal.  Things that happened without a lot of intention or focused awareness, but that made up the bulk of my daily life.  Things that, taken together, resulted in my feeling good about myself or finding fault.  Things that brought me joy or were just a necessary part of my existence.

Lists of Five (in no specific order)

Five things I did differently this week:

1. Took different routes to familiar places
2. Bought new clothes
3. Got a facial
4. Ate fresh peaches (thanks, Karen!)
5. Stopped at a new (to me) coffee place

Five behaviors I practiced to feel better:

1. PT exercises (every day!)
2. Took a nap
3. Went to bed and read instead of watching TV
4. Journaled
5. Groomed my cats

Five things I still don’t understand, but am studying:

1. How my body works (or doesn’t)
2. How to make my money last longer
3. How to be a better listener
4. How to create a podcast
5. How to pace myself

Five promises I kept to myself:

1. Tracked my sleep patterns
2. Cut myself some slack when I felt tired
3. Got my paperwork done
4. Expressed gratitude daily
5. Cleaned the house

Five promises I kept to others:

1. Met with clients
2. Showed up to teach my class
3. Responded to emails
4. Was a good friend
5. Advocated for people I care for and love

And last, but not least – got this blog posted!

Having done this, I noticed that, overall, I was pleased.  Pleased to have accomplished so much and pleased that I benefited from it all.  My inclination is to write more, but I am going to stop here and just let this be – something to add to what I did differently this week.