THE TWELVE DAILY EMOTIONAL FITNESS TRAINING EXERCISES

Exercise Five: Take pleasure in meeting small goals

Magical power, marvelous action, chopping wood, carrying water.

Zen Poem

Modern life disconnects us from the fruits of our labor.  For some, paychecks are often the only concrete measurement of work done; for others it might be a grade or a report card.  For parents, the full results of all their work is  not visible for years.  This is not good for our souls.

Doing something, no matter, how small, that yields an immediate, concrete, and positive result nourishes our well-being.  Folding a basket of laundry, cleaning out one messy drawer,  washing dishes, pulling weeds, chopping wood or mailing a postcard to a distant friend are examples of small goals.

The power of meeting small goals doubles when  the goal involves creating something.  A line of poetry perfected,  a row of knitting completed, a piece of wood carved and sanded,  a song composed,  a painting begun or finally finished,  a garden tended,  a loaf of bread baked or one page of a journal written are small but visible acts  of  creativity.  Taking pleasure in the doing and pleasure in the accomplishment satisfies the soul.

The more fully aware you while carrying out any  goas the better.  Staying focused as you, however,  is not always easy.  Taking a Calming Breathe and refocusing your self is more realistic than expecting to give full attention all the time.  The important is thing is to do something every day that allows you to see and enjoy completing one or another  small goal.

Another way to practice this exercise when you feel you are not accomplishing anything is to stop for a minute or two and list all you have done since getting up.  I have gotten dressed, walked the dog, fed the dog, made breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, answered emails, visited Facebook and Twitter, talked to several friends on the telephone, made some plans for my trip East, and written this.  The later in the day, the longer your list of accomplishments grow. A “Done That List” is healthier than a To Do List.

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.

Swedish Proverb

….learn to enjoy the little things – there are so many of them.

Unknown

There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes.

William J. Bennett,  Author, The Book of Virtues

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Robert Brault, Poet and author.