Today I’m inspired by this Moment from the Waking Up App.

“Think of how many times in your life you’ve gotten what you’ve wanted. Or what you haven’t wanted.”

Waking Up App; Moment June 25, 2023

There is much more to say about this than I will write here. And the clip carries on after this quote to point out, I think, that it’s all inconsequential.

But that’s not where I’m going. My first thought was an index of things in my life that are currently just right.

I acknowledge my privilege in saying this, but I’d like to mark the feeling that I’m immensely grateful, happy, and fortunate.

A few highlights:

1. I am starting a new job!
2. My partner and I recently went camping in the North Cascades. We camped along the Skagit River, hiked Diablo Lake Trail, and enjoyed the quiet forest.
3. My best friend just came to visit. We hung out for five days, rode 120+ miles, and enjoyed excellent coffee, food, and conversation all over Seattle.
4. I got to spend the last 6+ months in between jobs, recharging physically and mentally, working on myself, investing in my family and friends, reading, relaxing, meditating, learning new things, exploring Seattle, and more.
5. I have new challenges I’m taking on and looking forward to. I have friends, family, and colleagues championing me.

I have no doubt I could find a list of negative things, ones not going my way, ones I wish were going differently, etc. And I do not doubt that I could agonize over them, find more, and maybe even make the ones found seem worse.

But luckily for me, that’s not where I’m at right now. And even if I were, I know it’s objectively not as bad as it feels.

I try to be grateful no matter what, even when things aren’t going well. The way I see it, there’s usually a positive shift we can make. Ups and downs inevitably come and go, and I think this is important to remember.

But right now, things I’ve worked for are coming alive. Things I’ve invested in are flourishing. And things I’ve hoped for are happening. And things I didn’t expect are showing up too. A little bit of luck in here, I’m sure. But when I look at those around me, family, friends, etc, it’s happening for them too.

I have much more to share about this and more to reflect on. Today is just about noticing that it all feels just right.

I’m wondering… How much of this requires perspective to appreciate? How much requires presence to notice? I’d like to think more about these questions.