It’s Monday- probably not your favorite day of the week. For most of you reading this, it’s likely you’re either heading to work or heading to school, or you’re bored at one of the two so you’re reading this.
I can’t relate to either one of those right now, but I’ve been there. It’s super easy to get into a routine of dragging out of bed last minute- grumpily, because it’s Monday- and slouching into a desk sleepily. I’ve found myself guilty of this apathy towards Mondays over and over again, even when I had no reason to want the day to be over, except for the fact that it was Monday. Maybe this is you. Or maybe you have a perfectly rational reason to be apathetic, or stressed or nervous. Your summer may have just come to an end and you’re nervous about the new school year, or your job may seem to be the same exhausting routine day in and day out, or maybe you’re struggling emotionally or physically, and today is just not your day. Or maybe, (hopefully!), you’re actually super jazzed this morning, and can’t relate to this apathy right now, but you’ve felt this before. Whichever one of these you may be experiencing, my food for thought for you this morning, is that you try something a little bit different today. Think of three things that have been sweet this past weekend, and hold onto those blessings whenever you’re just not feeling it. And then if you go to coffee (or maybe even lunch today), buy the person behind you their drink. These things WILL make your day, as well as the person you buy a drink for. Make your world a little bit kinder today, just with your attitude and a little spare change.
Here’s why I’m sending you this today: this weekend I was reminded about what wonderfully rad people/community I have in my life, how beautifully creative our Creator of forests is, and how happy music makes me. These are not complicated and extravagent things that have to be limited to the weekend, but for some reason, I had it in my head last night that because it’s Monday today, I have some reason to be disappointed that these things are gone. But this is absolutely ludicrous!! Every sweet blessing I wrote here, is in fact a super simple thing that I can be thankful for and appreicate all the time, and I bet you have sweet blessings like that too! All of my sweet blessings are as simple as this: I had one really life giving conversation with one of my best friends. I stepped out the door in my rainbows and went for a walk in the mountains. I went to a couple shows, and blasted music through the speakers while hanging out a car window. Maybe the latter is not every day life, but I am convinced you and I both have the opportunity to listen to our favorite song for 5 minutes of the day today.
So now, think of three blessings in your life recently, and do not be disappointed that your current circumstances may not be your favorite circumstances. Remember that this time will pass, the sweet little blessings will come again, and until they do, you can hang on to the happiness they’ve brought you before. Remember the good. This will bring about an attitude change. And with that, go help change someone else’s day for the better. Onto the cup of coffee part (and THIS is worth the read):
While in Portland last week, I went to the coffee shop Powell’s bookstore. While I was trying to figure out what to order, I noticed the man in front of me was paying for his coffee and food with quarters. I was just about to see if he needed a little bit of money, when he gestures to my friend Michelle (a super rad gal I’m going on world race with- michellemoxley.theworldrace.org) and I, and tells the barista that he’ll be paying for ours too.
Are you kidding me?! He was paying in quarters and then covered the cost of both of our drinks! What?!? This may not have been a big deal to him- for all I know he was wealthy and wanted to get rid of his spare change- but he may have also been scrounging up all of his tip money from the past two weeks, and just wanted to do something nice. I’ll never know. But what I do know, is that it’s four days later and I’m still freaking out about how kind and cool that was!!! And what’s even cooler, is that Michelle got to pass that kindness along to the next person. My point with all of this, is that it might not be your day today, but you could make someone else’s day a whole lot better just with a cup of coffee. OR it might be a great day for you, and you get to share that greatness. Either way, win-win, so I highly encourage you doing this!
In sum, remember the blessings in your life, and bless someone else. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” My reassurance amongst the craziness of life, is that when these little blessings seem few and far between, they can always be found if they’re sought after, because God is constant in His grace, no matter how much we run, hide, deny, and doubt, so there is always goodness and joy to be found no matter what the circumstances are. He is constant and gives without reason, and we can give (coffee) without reason too!
With that, happy Monday friends! Twelve days before I’m sending you these updates from the field! Keep me in your prayers, drop a comment below, and PLEASE share this! I’m still $6,549 away from my goal and could really use financial support and prayers.
With love,
Cait
