Weekly: Today is the day
The poet Mary Oliver wrote, “I am a performing artist; I perform admiration.”
I love this.
Whenever I feel myself getting complacent with the goodness of my life, I say her words to myself — gently but firmly. It’s not an affirmation or a goal, but something in between. It’s more like a recollection of who I want to be, and a directive to step up to that vision.
Today, I want to share a science-backed tool that can help you to perform admiration, as well as some inspiration, art, and love to send you into the weekend.
I admire you,
Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy
This Week
Humans spend a lot of time imagining our future selves. There’s value in these imaginings, but they can also distract us from experiencing the present moment — from performing our admiration of them, and experiencing the benefits of doing so.
Here’s a cool little trick you can use. It actually leverages your imagined future self and helps you to appreciate the present moment.
Imagine that your future self traveled back to the present moment, to stand right next to you, here and now.
What would they think of you? Because they would celebrate your beauty, energy, courage, determination, and hopes, and see them as the gifts they are.
What would they notice? Because they would see, with much more clarity, the things that you’re currently taking for granted.
What would they want you to do? Because they would have the foresight to know that, whatever is happening right now, it will not last forever.
More Tips and Tools
1. The story you’re telling yourself — We are selective storytellers.
2. When you’re feeling difficult emotions — The most important response.
3. If you’re overwhelmed by your thoughts — Create some space.
4. Transform your next action — From a burden into an act of service.
5. More stuff won’t make you happy — Appreciating what you have, though, will.
Or listen to the podcast episodes (Apple, Spotify) from this week!
Community
What is something you appreciate about this current moment?
“I appreciate my 1 year old son and mother being in good health after a rough patch. I appreciate waking up everyday and being able to live another day.”
“Juggling everything that comes with parenthood can be tough as a new mom. Freshly postpartum, I was working in a toxic and stressful environment that had no room for understanding the struggles we face as parents. Just when I was losing hope in balancing it all, I was offered a new position which has allowed me to work from home when needed, take my son to appointments without racing the clock and doesn't leave me feeling burnt out at the end of the day.”
“I appreciate my vision, my way to see things today and act according to that.”
“I appreciate the positions I’ve been placed in, the spaces where I’m able to try, the strength I am developing from being in the right community, and all the small ways I am growing despite the sometimes discouraging feelings a waiting season can bring.”
“I’m really happy because I’ve been writing songs on my own for a long time and now a friend has joined me! I’m really looking forward for this collaboration.”
“These days I appreciate to have the time and space to go slow, step by step.”
“I retired 10 months ago after 40 years in banking and now have time to take group fitness classes during the day. I am having so much FUN!”
“Enjoying my job!”
"I really appreciate being able to feel the difference that therapy and my own spiritual work is doing to me: the voice in my mind that is constantly narrating, judging, and overthinking everything, is finally shutting up. My body is actually thanking me for doing what I truly desire, and my mind is more silent than it has ever been during my whole life.”
Inspiration
1. The 9-year-old Poet Laureate of New York State (PIX11) — Kayden Hern is so talented!
2. The knitting clock (Kottke) — A powerful way to see the present moment and how it fits into our broader experiences...
3. 10 new species we just discovered (Positive News) — I’ve never said these words before, but this is a beautiful fish!
Before You Go
Listen to the Newsletter
No spam, just joy.
