Neither do I

I was two days behind on my desk calendar. I pulled off Thursday and wasn't particularly enthused by it, so I pulled Friday to get to Saturday, because today is Saturday.

What caught my eye was a black hand on a yellow background, with tiny letters written across the hand. I had to lean in to read them, and once I did, my attention was captured so completely that I had to blog about it today.

The writing on the hand said: "Do you remember that thing you fussed over two years ago? Yeah, me neither."

Wow, that hit.

I thought back to September 19, 2024. I'm sure there were things I was stressed about: probably money, work, my doctorate program. But the specifics, I can't recall. That is a positive.

I know I am living today in the consequences of the decisions I've made, and the temptation is to focus on the ones I regret. Money spent comes up. But what about the other decisions and their consequences? I am sitting here today with my doctorate earned and my job still intact. I have an adult coloring book published and a new novel published.

It is easy to remember the bad that happened, but along the way, it is also easy to forget the positive gains made. This is why I need to reflect: to bring back that which was gained, to inspire me to continue to persevere.

Reframing is not easy, but that does not mean it shouldn't be done. That which is stressing us today will be forgotten tomorrow, so why waste the energy worrying about what you will eventually forget?

What gain from the last two years have you forgotten to count?

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.