My son is a senior in high school, and today I took him to registration, then went down the street to a coffee shop and read.

Because I hadn't checked the mail, he didn't have the enrollment paperwork with him. Not a problem. He emailed me a link, I filled it out on my phone, sent him the PDF, confirmed by text, and all was well.

I found myself annoyed and grateful in succession. Annoyed that I am filling out paperwork. Thankful that I have the ability to complete it on my phone, sipping a cold brew outside on a warm day, on vacation.

Annoyance and gratitude are unlikely partners. If I took the morning to simply sit in annoyance, my mood would sour. Gratitude lets me reframe the situation.

Yes, I despise paperwork. But yes, my son's registration is done. Yes, I should've checked the mail — but it did not matter that I didn't. Gratitude is not being wishy-washy. It is naming what is true in front of you, what benefits you in this particular moment in time.

We are all going to be dancing, so select your partners well. It is your choice.

What are you annoyed about today that also went your way?

Here, I made this. My gift to you, for taking the time to read.
Images are from my imagination, generated by AI. Writing is all me.