This Saturday, like many of it predecessors, was busy, productive, and good, and it has left me feeling happy and satisfied. In the midst of it all, there still was the time and the desire to do just one thing for others and for myself, so, that’s just what I did on this warm, rainy day. Ever since celebrating New Year’s Day last Saturday to kick off this personal venture to change my life and the world one day and one good deed at a time, I feel like it’s New Year’s Day every day. Each new day provides another chance to improve and to get things right.
One thing that I set out to do for myself today was to eat consciously and intentionally. Too often, I put more thought into what I put on my body than what I put into my body, and I have gotten adept at believing the excuses I tell myself when I make a poor food choice and embracing denial when my clothes do not fit properly, when the number on the scale is more than I expected, or when I don’t have as much energy as I want and need to complete physical challenges and mental tasks. For me, it goes beyond merely looking good on the outside, although I wouldn’t complain if I had a great body, as I want to be healthy inside and out.
Longevity runs in my family, as my paternal great-grandfather died at age 104, and his daughter, my beloved grandmother, is 93 years old and in very good health overall. So, if I am blessed to live as long as, or longer than, some of my relatives, I want to have the physical abilities to live life fully and independently. I want to be free of physical limitations and diseases, and I know that some of this is dependent on my choices and habits. My journey toward optimal health today found me drinking hot green tea and more water; adding fruits and vegetables to my meals; taking time to eat without distractions; slowing down to savor the meal; eating only when I was hungry; and planning my meals in advance. I definitely feel better when I make healthy choices, and it motivates me to make other healthy choices, such as exercising. I intend to keep it going, one bite of food at a time, one meal at a time.
The opportunity to do just one thing for another person occurred during a routine errand this afternoon. I stopped to pick up my dry cleaning, and when I gave the woman behind the counter my last name, she asked, “Are you Kristi or Linda?” When I explained that I am Kristi and that Linda is my mother, she grabbed my dry cleaning off of the rack and brought the clothes to me. I thanked her and was ready to leave, when suddenly, it occurred to me that I could pick up and pay for my mom’s dry cleaning order, too, which I did. It just so happened that I would be seeing my parents about an hour later my daughter’s basketball game, too, so, it was perfect timing for this act of kindness.
It was such a small gesture, but it was a big deal to my mom. She was so surprised and appreciative when I told her I had picked up her order, and she explained that the order had been ready since October 4, yet she hadn’t found time to stop to pick the order up. I know how much I like to check off an outstanding task on my ‘things to do’ list, so, I was glad to help my mom check off at least one item on her list. My mom helps so many people, including me, on a regular basis, and she rarely asks for anything in return. There is no way that I can ever repay her for everything that she has done to make a positive difference in my own life, and today’s act was a mere drop in the bucket, but it still felt good to do something nice for her. She more than deserved it.
As I get ready to call it a day, I honestly can call it a very good day indeed, as I sit here with a happy heart and stomach. Each day just seems to get better and brighter on so many different levels, and for that, I am truly grateful.
Just one thing each day . . .
Categories: Just One Thing Each Day
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