Just. Thanks.

“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” ~Tecumseh

As my younger self, I woke up and physically pumped my fist into the air and said, “Seize the day,” as if the forward motion would pep me up and pull me out of bed. It helped.

Then as I got older that fist pump became more of a side-ways stretch. Now it’s just a roll to one side to put my feet on the floor.

Life can be hard. Maybe you’re not thrilled with the path you chose, or the difficult circumstances you’ve been dealt, or the place you find yourself in today? Much of life is out of our control. Often it feels like we’re in a vortex, swirling around a giant, looming task list. But how do you approach each day?

What are your first thoughts in the morning?

“Where’s my coffee?” (Grumpy voice)

“Ugh, I have to face that crap today?” (Resistant)

“I welcome the amazing things that may come my way.” (Open and positive)

“I’m gonna crush it!” (Energetic warrior)

Our attitudes run the gamut: Indifferent. Glum. Hopeful. Exuberant.

When you wake each morning, no matter your circumstance, choose your attitude with your first breath. Decide how to view your day and affect others. Will you drag your heels and tread this earth as a Negatron? Or will you “Seize the day,” even if you are unable to throw out a fist pump?

For many, waking up jolts them into the forefront of an overwhelming To Do list parceled out between a home, a job, a family, a long commute, and an ounce of exercise. But take a lesson from nature. Why are we compelled to stop swirling in our busyness to take in the glory of a spectacular sunrise or sunset? We are captured by nature’s pause. We stop. We notice. We are filled with awe and appreciation. We feel grateful.

I believe our words and hearts follow our thoughts. Push aside negativity, hassles, drama and criticisms, and that never-ending task list. In the busy moments, take a long pause as if a sunset were before you. Focus on the good, on your blessings, on simple beauty.

Then express it. Share it. Shout it. And wake up and focus on it again.

As Tecumseh said, “..give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength…for your food and for the joy of living.”

“Be thankful in each moment; feel grateful for a lifetime.” ~Laura Hartema

I’m grateful to you for pausing to read my words.

Just. Thanks.

Love This Day.

Please read my memoir, BERING SEA STRONG, to see what it was like to spend three months as the only woman and scientist working alongside 25 men aboard a commercial fishing vessel on Alaska’s high seas.