ALLOW YOURSELF TO GROW IN GRATITUDE

Oh how beautifully you are
to cultivate gratitude
in daily life
by learning to embrace
the process.

In life, we often have expectations for how we want certain plans to work out in our lives. These expectations can help us plan with intention, but at the same time, whenever our goals and expectations seem to take a different direction or take longer than expected, we can start to feel like we should be further along by now. We begin to believe that we should be further along by now. At times, these feelings can remove us from the present moment, and before we realize it, we’re living for a future that hasn’t even arrived. We start spending our time wondering what the outcome will be without letting ourselves fully be in the process, in the present moment. 

I'm sure you've already heard the phrase “embrace the process” a million times, but what does it actually mean? After all, to embrace means “to hold closely in one’s arms” (Oxford Languages) which, in the literal sense, is, of course impossible, since a “process” isn’t something you can physically hold. 

So what does it mean to embrace the process?

To embrace the process is to be present to the part of the journey you’re on without letting past or future points on the journey hinder you. It’s the act of being conscious of the fact that every day you wake up, you’re entering into one part of a larger story that is still unfolding. And whether or not you feel aligned with a larger goal or plan every single day all day, even when you’re not thinking about it, just by being here, you’re a part of something bigger. 

May you never let society or individuals in your life cause you to think that you have to be actively working toward some larger goal in your life every second of the day. It can be incredibly beneficial to plan, but it can be even more beneficial to be present to this very moment, whether or not you know what the outcomes will be. Here are some things you can still do in the present moment no matter if it’s attached to some larger goal or not:

1 - Be kind to someone without worrying about the outcome.
2 - Be kind to yourself...including all things mind, heart, and body
3 - Take breaks without feeling bad about it
4 - Do small things that bring you joy
5 - Educate yourself and take action where needed
6 - Take naps where needed
7 - Water the plants.
8 - Eat something delicious
9 - Drink plenty of water
10 - Stay curious

All of these things matter and have enormous impact and value whether you feel tethered to some big life goal or not. 

So whenever you start to feel discouraged about whatever you feel like you should be doing right now, just remember, in this very moment you can water the plants of your life that need to be cared for…and trust that it matters, even if you don’t know the outcome. 

Word of the Day: Beneficial (ad): “favorable or advantageous; resulting in good.” (Oxford Languages)
Affirmation: Today, I am cultivated gratitude in my life by learning to embrace the process.
Journal Prompt: How can you embrace the process today?

More in this week's series called "Come Alive, Right Here", only with a subscription in the Storyteller App.

Sincerely,
Morgan Harper Nichols
@thestorytellerco
@morganharpernichols