Good day, team,
Last week, I had an experience that I wanted to share for this week’s coach’s challenge.
Tuesday morning I had to take my car in for servicing. It was about 7 a.m., and the shuttle was supposed to take me back home. After waiting about 15 minutes, I learned that the shuttle driver was stuck in a traffic jam and wouldn’t be arriving at the dealer’s for another 30 minutes. So I decided to walk home.
It was about 45 city blocks, and although more of a walk than I usually take, it seemed like a nice morning for a jaunt. It was still dark when I began walking, but the sun was coming up quickly, and I watched the color of the sky as I walked the city streets.
These were not colors I usually see: muted pinks, with streaks of blue and grey painted across the sky. After a while, the sun came streaming down the sidewalk and as I walked into it, I was struck by the beauty of the sun reflected through colored leaves on the trees. One minute I was walking in filtered grey light, and the next, the bright sun was beaming on my head. What a glorious feeling!
After a few minutes, the sun began to fade, and the weather changed. Within moments, a light mist was falling. I zipped up my jacket and put my hood up. As I walked, I could feel the cool mist on my face, and the sidewalk began to darken as the raindrops fell on the concrete under my feet.
I spied a coffee shop on my left and quickly ducked in to dry out a bit and get a cup of coffee. As I sat in the shop, I watched people fly in and out for their morning coffee and pastries. Everyone was in such a hurry that I’m not sure they noticed whether it was raining or not. But the place was full of bustling energy, and it was a nice contrast to the quiet solitude I had experienced on my walk.
By the time I got home, I realized how invigorated I was by my unexpected walk. I felt so good in that moment. My early morning walk had made me happy, content, invigorated and peaceful, all at once. I wondered, “Why don’t I do this more often?” I could take an early morning walk each day, but I usually just get up, get my coffee, pop into the shower, get dressed and head out the door to work. Why would I ignore the chance to start my day with something that makes me so happy?
Your challenge this week is to identify something that makes you really happy that you don’t usually do, and do it. It can be something very simple, like taking a brief walk before work or during lunch. Maybe you get yourself a special treat at the coffee shop or take a tea break with another team member to talk about your weekend. Perhaps you find your favorite pair of socks in the drawer and wear them, even if they’re not the kind of socks you usually wear to work. Or maybe you won’t wear any socks at all, if that’s what makes you happy.
It’s often the little things in life that bring us joy. We just have to make sure that we take the time to do them and allow ourselves the happiness that arises when we do.
Have a great week!
Kathleen
Kathleen Doyle-White
Pathfinders Coaching