“Whether I'm at the office, at home, or on the road, I always have a stack of books I'm looking forward to reading” ~Bill Gates
Each and every Friday evening, my husband Michael and I have a special little ritual of either opening up a bottle of wine, or making a cocktail to sip on and enjoy while we spend some time connecting and reflecting back on our week.
We make it a firm thing that come sundown, we wrap up and put away whatever we have individually been working on, and come together to chat, sip our drinks, light our candles, and laugh a little (or cry, if we need to!) as we sigh and bid adieu to another long work week filled with our best efforts.
And this is something that we look forward to with eagerness and great anticipation each and every week, especially by the time late afternoon on a Thursday rolls around and we're feeling some burn from the week's grind.
Having something to look forward to, no matter how small, silly, or seemingly insignificant, is what helps a human being to find the motivation and the spark for life when the pressure's on.
It helps one to find the drive to keep moving forward, helps one to have a vision of something that comforts and brings some color, joy, and nourishment to the spirit.
See, without something specific and real to look forward to, no matter how big or how small, it is all too easy for life to lose some of its flavor and seem a little bland.
And each and every day I try to give myself “mini” things to look forward to, to act as a salve upon my soul and keep me uplifted, motivated, and ready to take life and all of its expectations on with as much gusto and enthusiasm as possible.
For me, it's something as simple as the pleasure of my morning cup of coffee that I look forward to when I first wake up.
And as I near the “finish line” of a long work day, I look forward to finally closing up my computer after staring into its screen, and running the water for my evening bath, and being able to both literally and figuratively wash away the day and refresh myself.
And when Michael and I make the occasional plan to grab a burger for lunch together on a Friday as a treat, I look forward to that, too!
I look forward to our family dinners at home on Saturday nights when our Marine son is able to come home to visit with us. Or when it's just Michael and I, I look forward to having a little “date-night” in, complete with something tasty I cook up that we've been craving.
And when there's a super rare little “over nighter” getaway that we're planning, or a day trip that we plan on taking, where we hit the road for a few hours on a quieter highway or winding road? Well... that is definitely something I eagerly look forward to, and it cheers my heart, and I am grateful for it.
See, without something specific and real to look forward to, no matter how big or how small, it is all too easy for life to lose some of its flavor and seem a little bland.
It is easy for the light of gratitude to begin to dim a little bit, for one’s sense of wonder and anticipation to begin to fade.
But when one has something to look forward to—anything from carving out time for a leisurely lunch, or calling a dear friend, or gathering with loved ones, or playing hooky from work for a day, or sipping green tea in the afternoon—well, then that creates a little spark in one's spirit.
And that spark can ignite into a flickering flame, which can spread some much needed light through one's beingness, radiating outward and effecting every aspect of one's life.
And isn't that a gift?
There is always something to look forward to, but it is up to each of us individually, and on a personal level, to find what that is, name it as such, and hold it sacred.
What is that something that you look forward to?
Taste what's good and pass it on.
Ingrid
“From The Heart” is a space for me to share some of my more personal thoughts on life. Here you'll find my reflections on my own inner/spiritual journey; on being a wife and mother; on being a creative; and general observations, pretty much whatever is on my mind.
I whole-heartedly believe that sharing "from the heart" with one another is what connects us, heals us, and inspires us! Glad you're here...
Deborah Behney
I can't thank you enough for this post. It came at a time when I so needed it.
So much sadness in the lives around me and my own right now and the grief
can be so unbearable at times. It's good to remember that we are not alone in
this walk and while we are here to help each other, it's equally important to
find our own space and remember those little things in life that made us
smile and feed our own souls. Thank you for reminding me. I am grateful
for you.
The Cozy Apron
Hi Deborah, I'm so very glad to hear from you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts...you pop into my mind often, and I always hope that you are well. Even though I do not know the details of your personal situation, I do know from some of the past comments you have shared that things can often be challenging for you. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, sending lots of peace and joy your way.
Yes, so very often the simple act of "looking forward" to even those little things in life is a saving grace. These are the things that pull us all forward and bring some comfort and gladness, some uplift. They can be found everywhere, and it is up to us to seek them out.
I am so grateful for your comments, because you remind me that some of the things that I personally think about and deal with (and then write about) are more "universal" than I realize. Sending much love to you!