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Inspiration

Flourish in four easy steps

any of us are savoring things we used to take delights. But it's often in those small, positive things that a
for granted. Walking, maskless, down the rewarding life is built. Did your partner just arrange flow-
sidewalk, smiling at neighbors and getting ers from the yard into a lovely bouquet? Take time to no-
M a little lift when you see them smile back. tice how the colors, the shapes, the smells of those flowers.
Having a bite to eat and sharing plenty of laughter with a Did a colleague drop off an article likely to interest you
good friend at a favorite restaurant, indoors. Attending an or tell you about a new sandwich shop? Take a moment to
industry tradeshow, witnessing a cherished child's gradu- savor how much these little things add to your life overall.
ation ceremony, gathering for worship with your spiritual
community— all in person. 3. Express gratitude
Noticing what you appreciate is a great thing. Spending
Each small thing in an expanding array of activities open- time expressing your gratitude for those things provides
ing up for us provides a pinch of exhilaration. And at even more benefits in terms of enhancing your positive
this juncture, I believe, the key to flourishing as we move outlook. Some folks write down several things they ap-
forward is to not fall back into taking any of life's bless- preciate every day, from something as small as finding a
ings for granted. But how do you do that? I have four sug- parking space on a congested street to something as big
gestions: make connections, express gratitude, savor the as landing a major account you've been working on for
small things and do good deeds. months. Others gather with one or more family members

1. Make connections or friends weekly to do the same kind of sharing. Either
way, these activities add to your positive-outlook bank.
We now have renewed opportunities to meet and connect
with people. Even just showing genuine, cordial interest 4. Do good deeds
in what a stranger has to say while chatting in a checkout It is common knowledge that volunteering in your com-
line can be uplifting. The encounter will not likely lead to munity doesn't only help those in need; it also helps you.
a lifelong friendship, but it can be one of many positive Also, doing small things on the spur of the moment, such
moments in a day that contributes to a positive outlook as helping an elderly man load groceries into his car, have
overall. As restrictions lift and we explore more and more, the same effect on both giver and recipient. Some people
we'll have many opportunities to make these connections. even set aside one day a week and say, "I'm going to do five
And sometimes they do lead to long-term, mutually sup- good deeds today." And with that intention set, the op-
portive relationships. portunities to do good things seem to rise spontaneously
2. Savor small things throughout the day.

It's easy to dismiss small things that are positive, especially Another thing I just thought of is how refreshing it is to
if you've just lost a huge merchant account, a partner turns learn something new. That could be a good topic for an-
out to not be holding up their end of your agreement, or other Inspiration column.
your day isn't going as planned in some other way. There's
a temptation to dig into a negative state of mind, maybe
even lash out at someone. And even when you're having
an ordinary sort of day, it's easy to just carry on with what
needs doing without paying particular attention to small
Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
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