Happy post-midweek-it’s-almost-time-for-the-weekend snack break.
The Greater Good Science Center, based out of University of California Berkeley, researches the neuroscience, psychology, and sociology of well-being. Part of their mission involves sharing their knowledge and teaching skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.
Their website is a treasure trove of science-backed information, articles, and podcasts aimed at helping you help yourself.
I stress the science part. It’s not clickbait fluff and toxic positivity. They offer actionable steps (extracted from teams of researchers and peer-reviewed papers) you can take to make your world a more mindful, compassionate, and grateful place.
Think you don’t need the help?
They offer some assessment quizzes to help gauge where you are. On account of this month’s Iridescent Ordinary focus on gratitude, I recommend this one.
I know we’re only halfway through with October, but it’s proving to be a pretty crazy and chaotic month for me with more hectic on my horizon. I’m grateful for your patience with me when my missives arrive a day or two late.
I’m grateful that all my hustles aligned in such a way that made it possible for me to fly up to assist my sister when her new baby arrived early. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help. I’m grateful for the friend who drove me to the airport, the friend who moved my car for street sweeping, the friends who allowed me to cancel plans and the friend who dropped off gifts for the kiddos. I’m grateful baby Marley is perfect and healthy, if just a wee bit tiny. I’m grateful that their NICU team instills calm and confidence (and art projects). I’m grateful Marley’s older brother Max thinks I hung the moon and is excited for bonus time with me.
I’m grateful that in my driving across the state of Connecticut between Max’s daycare and Yale Hospital I get a sneak preview of the glory of autumn leaves changing color. I’m grateful that Max promises he won’t repeat the words and phrases I shout at other road users. I’m grateful that Google maps directs me off the highway to avoid a traffic backup because a drunk tractor trailer driver swerved and hit guardrails on both sides of the highway before spilling his payload of ibeams all over the road. I’m grateful that the children in his cab survived. I’m grateful it wasn’t my vehicle that was hijacked on interstate 95. I’m grateful for the people who made me eggplant parmesan. I’m grateful my brother-in-law stocked his fridge with a nice selection of French whites. I’m grateful it’s neither freezing cold nor boobsweat hot here.
I’m grateful Yogi the bulldog only chewed half the blanket I’m making for baby Marley, and not all of it. I’m grateful that it’s easier to rip out crochet stitches than knitting. I’m grateful because of Marley’s size she won’t require a big blanket. I’m grateful for the fresh tomatoes and eggplant from the end of summer garden.
I’m grateful my sister felt comfortable enough to take some time away from NICU today to indulge in a mani-pedi and a lunch picnic with our parents. I’m grateful another sister paid for mani-pedi. I’m grateful I know the lyrics to lots of 80’s TV theme songs for when my nephew asks for bedtime lullabies. I’m grateful to be part of this nighttime ritual. I’m grateful he buys into my “let’s see how fast we can get dressed” game, which makes mornings easier. I’m grateful he seems to have forgotten about playing Uno for the time being. I’m grateful for the opportunity to assist a different niece in her homework.
I’m grateful to be of service to my family. I’m grateful for the smell of New England autumn in the air. I’m grateful someone invented a tool to help separate little Lego pieces so I won’t fuck up my manicure any worse than I have. I’m grateful Yogi eats any Legos he sees, so there is no danger of stepping on one.
Now it’s your turn.
Go…