Small Successes

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

A happy consequence of knowing that I want to write this post each week is that it has kept me on the lookout for the bright side of daily life. Even if you're not typing it up, try remembering three golden moments from the past week--they're there somewhere!

• The children and I sorted through our VHS/DVD collection and disposed of enough to fill a department store shopping bag. Most were just outgrown, but some were movies I never really liked--glad to have them outta here! We passed the bag to a friend, and the rest will be freecycled. Have you heard of this? You can join an online group in your local area and give or receive stuff to keep it out of landfills. And I do mean "stuff"--I've seen everything from paper towel tubes (My friend who wanted them for her rodents to chew lost out to another taker!) to vacuums and dining room chairs.
• I take a good walk with Dusty ninety-nine days out of a hundred, but Monday I bathed him for the first time. His long undercoating of fur gets embedded with tiny, gravelly dirt when we take the trails, even if it's dewy rather than rainy. I'm not sure whether my small success is giving that first bath or avoiding it for over a year! ;-)
• Also on the walking front, my perspective has changed. I've enjoyed walking, and keep to a minimum of 20 minutes (rosary length), with a 40 minute average. Distance and pace vary, and I have had a tendency to cut down on a "regular" route if I got a late start. Anyway, this week I noticed a real reluctance to cut back. A few mornings I told myself I would cut out this or that loop, only to change my mind once outside and take the whole route, figuring that this was my time and I wouldn't get any other real exercise in the day and what did it matter if I got home a few minutes later... The point is that this is an attitude change, this feeling ENTITLED to a brisk walk of a certain length. In the past my sense of entitlement usually led to another cookie or some midmorning chocolate.

Find more inspiration and encouragement at Faith and Family Live.