I Never Leave Home Without This

I am very detailed oriented. I have countless to-do-lists based on separate projects that I analyze throughout each day. These are full of random ideas, project details, lists, and especially, reminders. I need reminders. I have trouble focusing on one thing at a time, so I like setting reminders for myself throughout the day as a backup. I have an alert that goes off on my phone every morning at 6 am. The alarm sounds and a message pops up on my phone that says, “Give thanks.” I stop what I am doing and think about everything I am thankful for. I don’t just say it, I FEEL it. It starts my day off on the right foot.

The second daily reminder is an idea I took from the author, Lee Brower. He talks about a concept he uses called a gratitude rock.  I wanted to see how I could incorporate it into my daily life.  So last spring I went to a creek with my kids and had them pick out a small, smooth, and flat stone. Nothing huge. Less than an inch long and an eighth of an inch thick will work perfectly. Something thin and small enough that it can fit in your pocket without feeling like you are carrying around a rock.

This stone serves as a reminder to be thankful. Every time I reach into my pocket throughout the day, I feel that stone. It reminds me to be grateful for what I have in my life. And because I had my kids pick it out, it has a little extra meaning behind it. So when I am stressing about something at work, or bills, or health, this little stone serves as a cue for me to rethink what is really important.

If you tend to get swept up in the whirlwind of everyday life, try this out. It has helped me focus on what truly matters in this world.