I’m reaching out on a rainy Thursday in San Francisco. How are you, my friend?
No matter where you are or what the weather (internal or external) is like, I want you to know that I’m here with you.
And here you are, with ME!
We are not alone.
Thank you for showing up for a tiny bit of celebration today.
Whether you are feeling buoyant or blue, you are loved.
Whether you need a pick me up or you have lots of get-up-and-go, you are loved.
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Today’s tiny moment of celebration is being brought to you thanks to someone named Noah St. John who wrote The Book of Afformations.
Yep, that spelling is correct: afformation, not affirmation!
This book teaches the concept of asking ourselves questions in a way that the mind wants to find good answers.
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This morning, I needed to mail some Thanksgiving cards. The postal box isn’t far away — just a few blocks — but it was really raining hard and it was pitch dark out.
I heard myself grumbling in my head about it as I headed out.
Thankfully, for some reason, the idea of afformation dropped in.
This is a kind of grace, isn’t it, when LIFE simply places an insight or inspiration in our minds?!
I quieted the grousing and asked myself, “Why do I feel so much joy right now?”
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It was amazing! In the short walk to and from the postal box, all of these things popped in my mind:
- I have legs that work — and I can walk.
- I am wearing a fun rain hat I got in France that reminds me of my friend, Rachel, because she has the same hat.
- I notice when a motion sensor light turns on, and it delights me, reminding me of pinpricks of light in the dark. (And how light can come from surprising sources!)
- I delight in the artistic way the raindrops plop into the big pools of water in the street.
- I feel grateful that I thought to bring a plastic bag to protect my letters from the rain.
- I take the greeting cards out of the plastic bag at the postal box and enjoy looking at the names of the people I love.Â
- I feel happy seeing the fun stickers I added to my cards.
- I feel joy knowing I am sending love to people for Thanksgiving.
- I am listening to a Hebrew music playlist my son made for me and it makes me feel connected to him.
- I feel energized because I woke up early and worked out with weights and did some yoga.
- I am looking forward to a cup of hot coffee, which I started brewing before I left the house.
- I feel childlike joy as I hold up the plastic bag and turn it into a “kite” blowing behind me as I walk.Â
- I look at the trees and imagine how happy they are to have this water to drink.
- I realize that no matter how challenging life can be, I am outside walking on a spinning planet, floating in outer space — and that is a miracle.Â
- I feel inspired when I realize that this is an idea that dropped into my mind and made me happy — and now I can share it with others.
When I got home, as I was sipping my coffee, I quickly made a recording of everything that brought me joy on my short walk so I wouldn’t forget it.
When I listened back to that recording, so I could write to you about it, I felt all that joy all over again. It was as if it was happening anew. The energy felt great.
Recalling the joy that just happened is a joy in itself!
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Will you try this for yourself today?
As you are going about your day, once in a while ask yourself,
“Why do I feel joy right now?”
Watch how the mind will go to work, answering that for you!
Extra credit if you write down or record the things that pop in!
Reply to this email and let me know the joy you discovered. I’d love to hear.
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Thank you for being here.
Thank you for your beautiful heart and for your sweet spirit.
Seek celebration — even in the dark corners,
xo Sherry