One Little Word - 2023

It's taken some time.

But it finally came to me.

Presence.

Monday Morning Motivation, 1/16/2023

Good morning! How are you? Have you ever thought… We are all tender and fierce. We are soft and strong. We are fragile and courageous. Sometimes all in one day.

A little backstory on Monday Morning Motivation...

Two years ago, the effects of exposure to the daily put-downs, arguments, and constant negativity doled out on social media began to take a toll on me. Working for the State in child-welfare at the time added to the heaviness. Fortunately, being an employee of Health & Welfare gave me access to health resources, and one of those resources was Lunch & Learn seminars available to employees via Zoom and WebEx.

One of the topics offered was the benefits of gratitude, and the scientific proof demonstrating the effectiveness of practicing daily gratitude. This practice can rewire our brain to be more positive, in a world that for all outward appearances seems hell-bent on tearing us down. Especially media, every form of media be it television, movies, music, and especially social. Some days it feels like everything we hold near and dear to our hearts, every belief we cherish, is being washed down a pitiful drain into the bowels of contempt for one another.

In addition, I had taken a course on Coursera titled "The Science of Well-Being" and in that course Professor Santos talked about hedonic adaptation.

From that, a seed was planted in my mind.

And so, I started sending out a private message every Monday to close friends, family, and co-workers (especially the latter, given the circumstances). Messages sent first thing Monday morning, designed to lift anyone who needed it that day. Nothing preachy or moralistic. Simply good, healthy positive words about them. I think the very first message I sent was "You are brilliantly amazing."

I do this with no expectation in return. It is my way of practicing gratitude and connecting with people. Just to let them know I'm here. Some look forward to it each week, others respond and tell me those words were just what they needed. Others never respond, and I've only had one person who responded to let me know I could stop sending them. I didn't ask why; I just honored the request.

Is it working? Yes, I believe so. I know it helps me and many others.