Things may not be perfect, but they are also not so bad if you look around. Spring is on the way and there is no one quite like you in the universe.
The challenges and disappointments we face make the great times even more wonderful.
Seize the week ahead – you never know – something marvelous might happen!
Maybe it’s a part of your story, maybe you are a part of its story.
It is easy to get lost thinking about what might have been or worrying about future plans. Perhaps take some time this weekend to just focus on what is going on in the present – take a few moments to be content and find joy in the now.
Accept the way things are in this moment.
A good friend is one of life’s most important and precious gifts. You never know where and who might become one of your most closest confidants.
Make friends wherever you go!
Happy Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate – and if not here are a couple of goats hanging out in Haryana. Every day is a great day to eat chocolate and enjoy the people in your life who matter most. I’m grateful for my partner who took a break from doing science to send me today’s photo ❤️
Today is the first day I have updated Goat of the Day from my iPhone! Screens get a lot of criticism, including contributing to insomnia, anxiety, depression, ruining our relationships, making us terrible parents and generally slow down our brains. However, I think that the smart phone revolution has a lot of benefits for humanity. For example, it makes it a lot easier to keep tabs on old friends you may have otherwise lost contact with. My family relies heavily on calendars in order to stay organized and a lot of notes and journaling that would have required lugging around a bunch of things is eliminated – I can keep it all tucked away in my pocket! I also love being able to quickly share photographs – when I was a kid if I wanted to share photographs you would have to get the film developed and pay for prints – now with a few clicks I can send photos across the Atlantic and basically no cost as things happen. I wonder, if in a few decades the weariness over such devices will have faded the same way suspicion over other new technologies in the past.
When unexpected things happen that disrupt your plans you are faced with a choice. You could react negatively, dig in your heals and try to resist. Alternatively, you could just roll with it. Sometimes we aren’t lucky enough to have a choice, things happen that are simply out of our control. You can save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress by not getting angry at forces outside of your control. Stay calm and you never know, an unexpected disruption could be an opportunity for something amazing.
Calm and cool, just roll with it.
Sometimes it is so hard to stay focused. December is a time of fun and festivities, but it is also a time of deadlines and duties. Self-care during this time of year is especially important, when you feel like you are all over the place and run ragged, take a moment (or two, or five, or an hour!) for yourself to refocus before polishing off your to-do list.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself during the busy holiday season.
Never underestimate the importance of rest. Getting enough sleep and rest helps to boost our health and our ability to care for others.
Goat of the Day 