The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 13:  Savour Your Victories / Live Like There Is No Tomorrow

Let’s start this blog with a few truths.

• Every decision that you ever made was a good decision the day you made it. Whatever the decision, you made one.  Say thank you to yourself and move on. To quote one of my team, “it is what it is”.
• The consequences could have been less than optimal but you decided something. Congratulation yourself, say thank you, and move on.
• You are your decider in chief, no one else.  No one else makes your decisions for you. Every decision made is a small but important victory.
• Character is personal. Say thank you for exercising your character when you certainly didn’t have to.
• Victories shared will always be victories savoured.

After 24 months of public health orders, it has certainly been a challenge to remember what it was like to be out in the world doing what I want, when I want, and the rest of the planet be damned.  Just like the rest of you, I am more aware of the impact that my behaviour has on others.  I also know that it is tougher than one thinks to be at home.  Working on the dining room table, sharing office space, home schooling, running out ideas for meals, and a plethora of minor things are driving many of my friends and colleagues, to quote my mother, ‘starkers’.

In an earlier blog, I mentioned the 60 Second verse that is often quoted when times are tough.  As a reminder, here it is below:

“Life is just a minute—only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon you—can’t refuse it.
Didn’t seek it—didn’t choose it.
But it’s up to you to use it.
You must suffer if you lose it.
Give an account if you abuse it.
Just a tiny, little minute,
But eternity is in it!”

Quoted by: Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, Past President of Morehouse College Original attribution by Dr. Mays was to Anonymous.

With that in mind, I have changed the way that I celebrate victories.  I am taking the small things that I would have ignored in the past and shining a light on them.

1. I wake up and give thanks for the fact that I woke up. I used to do that every morning and then life got in the way.  Now, I remember every day.  I face the east and thank the Great Spirit for another day.  I list the people, things, or events that I am grateful for.  It always starts with my husband.  I have not idea how he has put up with me for 37 years.  By the way, we have only lived together for 12 years.  One of us has always travelled.  It is proof that you don’t have to be in the same house.  You just have to stay connected.
2. I have my first coffee in a quiet place. I have always had coffee in the morning.  Now, it is time to read and gather my thoughts.  Before I broke my treadmill, I walked 2 miles and that gave me what I needed to prepare for my day.  I am lucky to have a quiet place.  As I write this, I am on 40 acres of trees in rural Canada.  Thanks to the universe and hard work for that.
3. I journal successes. I write all my successes, regardless of how large or small, in my journal.  At the end of each day, I review the progress for the day.  Some days, the amount accomplished is greater than others.  Other days, the amount of progress is slower.  Whatever the rate, I am thankful that I remembered to record the progress.  Today’s page number in my journal is 20475.  Each day lived and survived is a victory.
4. I journal lessons.  One of Grace’s rules is that there are no failures only lessons. I need to remind myself of that every day. It is a great way to give yourself permission to try.
5. I remember that I have always had a team. I have always had a team to help.  I just need to remember to say thank you and appreciate them every day.  I will try harder to remember that “We’ comes before “Me”.

My Rule 13 Challenge for you:  This is will be harder than you think.

Every day for the next 7 days,

1. When you get up, recognize that you waking up is a success.  Give thanks to whatever supreme being that you believe in.
2. Each morning, write down the following:  3 things or people that you are grateful for, your objective for the day, what are your commitments for the day, and 1 action that you will take today.
3. At the end of your work day or before bed, write down the following: 3 things that happened that were amazing, 3 things that didn’t go so well but you survived, how you could have made the day better, and what is one thing that you appreciate yourself for (the daily victory acknowledgement and dance).
4. Send a message of thanks to someone who helped you today.  In this world of e-cards, free or paid, it is easier than ever to let people know that they are appreciated.  You should send yourself one as well.  After all, you won today.
5. What did you learn today? Every lesson is going to teach you something about you.  It might teach you something about others.  The point is that everything that you learn and leverage is a win.  Therefore, a victory.

Remember:  Victories are only victories if we learn from them.

Have an absolutely amazing week.

Quotes of the Week

 “Promise me, you’ll always remember:  You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”  Winnie the Pooh

“Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.”  Winnie the Pooh

“Life isn’t about you.  It is about what you learn, those you thank, and the will to keep going.  Appreciate the small things.  It will make the big things less important.” – Anna Ruth Wallace