So, in the crazy busyness of this weekend, trying to get everything “ready” for Monday and the big start to “normal routine” once again, I found myself with more stress than excitement for the new year. And then I picked up the latest copy of Military Spouse and flipped through it and ran across one of the articles I wrote for the January issue called “Embrace Today.” The funny thing is, when I wrote it, I had no real idea how I would be feeling this month, but it turns out it was exactly what I needed to hear. Maybe you do too.

10 Ways to Embrace Today

1. Embrace the pile of laundry by the door. It means you have people to love and people who love you back. And all of you need clean clothes.

2. Embrace that load of dishes waiting for you to put away. Be grateful for the dinner conversations your family had while those dishes were getting dirty.

3. Embrace the time you have by yourself today. Use it to remember why you love having your spouse at home with you and remind yourself again the next time he gets on your nerves.

4. Embrace today’s lighter (or empty) checking account. Remind yourself of what you do have. Make a list if you need to and refer to it often.

5. Embrace the friend who called and interrupted you from what you were doing. Be thankful for the reminder that you aren’t alone. And for Caller ID.

6. Embrace today’s problems and challenges. Remember that there are others in the world who may have fewer, but much more severe, problems like finding food to feed their children today.

7. Embrace the time you spend packing another care package for your deployed service member. Whether he shows his thanks or not, the piece of home you send is a reminder he has someone who cares about him. Not ever service member is able to say that.

8. Embrace your marriage. Whether your spouse is here or there, reflect on ways you can let him know what he means to you.

9. Embrace your dreams. If you find yourself constantly putting them off, maybe it’s time to consider how you can get one step closer to a dream becoming a reality.

10. Embrace the roller coaster of military life. The planned-for weekend drills and the unexpected longer trainings, the multiple deployments and the uncertainties of what will happen next. Be grateful that life is never boring.

Embrace the adventure that is today. There won’t be another like it.

Popularity: 1% [?]