#84

There's something to be said for noticing our automatic behaviors, our automatic responses, our automatic assumptions. Noticing them and, instead of following what's automatic, making a choice.

Today, do something differently.

Do you always take the same route to work? Alter it.
Do you always brush your teeth with your right hand? Use your left.
Do you always have oatmeal at 6:30? Have an egg at 6:20.

Doing one thing differently may lead you to notice other automatic things you do; things you automatically think or believe, assumptions about yourself and others that you automatically make.

This week, do some things differently. See where it leads you.

#83

Someone asked, "How do I practice appreciation? Do I make a list of the things I'm thankful for?"

To me, there is a difference between appreciation and thankfulness. Appreciation is an experience; thankfulness is a thought.

P.S. Next week my 8-year-old grandson will be staying with us. I may forget to send a Tenacity Notes!

#82

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."
~ Soren Kierkegaard

#81

Some of you wrote after last week: "I want wonder in my life now, I want to exist in a state of love now. I don't want to wait until I die."

Practice appreciation and you will know wonder. Emanate love, and you will exist in love.

Practice assiduously. A spiritual practice is like any other practice, the more you do it, the better you get.

Practice every day. Tape a note to your computer. Set the alarm clock on your phone. Tie a string around your finger!! Do something to remind yourself to practice appreciation and to emanate love. Practice every day, for a least a little part of the day.

Give yourself this opportunity: Practice appreciation every day from now until May Day. Emanate love every day from now until May Day. Then write to me and tell me how you're doing.

It occurs to me that May Day is International Workers Day. I don't know about you, but I can get a bit freaked out by these attempts to bust unions and by all the talk about dismantling medicare and social security. Practicing appreciation and emanating love are excellent antidotes to fear and anxiety. Let me know how it goes.