Hi friend,
This week has been a variety pack of life. Saturday night I experienced some great live local music. Lincoln flew back in for the week to spend it with his sister. Speaking of, she flew in Sunday evening and brought one of her friends with her. I destroyed my garage door. My summer feels complete because I finally got a grill. I got it on clearance too, which makes it seem that much more amazing! I read to some third graders via zoom. Most exciting, we got in our Best Daily Resources Coasters for the SHRM conference I’m headed to at this very moment. (writing on a plane).
There is so much there to consider. From what will I extract some learning? The easiest one is the garage door. I just had it put in less than a year ago. I removed a center column, replacing two separate doors with one extra-long door. I love it! I was in a hurry to go get my hair cut and didn’t wait for the door to go all the way up. It caught on my car antenna fin and pretty much destroyed it. Fortunately, the guy who installed it came out the next day and worked a miracle! #BePatientGreg
Obviously, I could talk about the return of my daughter who has been in Los Angeles taking a gap year and serving at the Dream Center. Her return brightens my whole life. She is probably the funniest person I know, as well as the most emotionally smart. Her presence illuminates every space she enters.
My grill story is rather delightful if you find joy in getting a deal. Regularly $499, on sale for $399, but in my Home Depot it was on clearance for $190. It wasn’t actually in the store, so it’s not entirely clear if he should have rung it up that way? However, another store filled the order, with free delivery and assembly included. Boom!
Blessed, Fortunate & Favored.
Turns out the theme from this week is that I better be extremely grateful because so many positive things happen in my life. As I write that line, I immediately realize there is also another storyline co-existing with these that is extremely challenging, emotionally exhausting, and tests my resolve almost daily.
I like my filter.
As I review this week, all the things that caused me difficulty and pain are secondary compared to all the things that brought me joy and satisfaction. I’m grateful my mind processes that way. I know other people who can have an amazing week, but all they see are the negative elements from it. #Boo
We live in a world of filters. They are used to alter our appearance, so others see us differently. From appearing as an animal, sparkly, bug-eyed, flawless, or alien, they cover over our true appearance. I don’t like them. When we do Scrambled Fridays, I’ve made a #NoFilter Policy on the pictures taken. I like things raw and real. I wonder if people used filters on their minds as freely, how different reality would be altered? Instead of changing how we’re perceived, we changed how we perceive.
Perception filters produce peace!
Instigating Ideas
1. What do you have to be grateful for this week?
2. Tell your kids how fabulous they are!
3. Post filterless pictures.
4. Share a good deal story with someone.
Life isn’t a series of good and bad experiences. It’s filled with mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual moments that create the opportunity for interpretation.
Many people have a go-to filter for their pictures. What is your go-to filter for life? If you had to label it, what would it be called? I’m attempting to foster a Gratitude Filter. I’m certain that’s what helps me give less weight to the negative and magnify the positive. Spending the evening with Lincoln, Lainey and her friend Talula was incredibly rejuvenating. It was also sad because I no longer get to just be in proximity to them around the house. I don’t filter out the sad, I just prioritize the glad.
That’s how the best filters work. Let it all in, but directs our focus. I would love to hear how you filter all the stimuli that comes into your brain and life. If you have a strategy or thoughtfulness about how to emphasize the good, I would love to hear it. Please share!