The Joy is in the Journey

and embracing the destination...

"Enjoy the journey and embrace the destination when you get there.” ~ Nancy Salmeron 

Yesterday, I watched a boy’s state basketball game where the winning team represented the high school our son attends. As I watched the game, I couldn’t help but remember back to when our son, Michael, was in 5th grade and he decided to “try basketball." Little did we know how much time and effort would be involved. 

Practicing during the school week, tournaments on weekends, sometimes traveling for several hours, going to area high school gyms and sitting in the bleachers, eating concession stand food (usually an enjoyable experience), while cheering on our son, our school’s team, his friends and teammates…

Many of these boys started playing together in 3rd grade, so by the time Michael started playing, he had a lot to learn. However, he was lucky in that he had coaches willing to teach him and teammates patient enough to play with him. I remember when he scored his first basket during a game, you could probably hear me cheering for him from the parking lot.

Michael played for two years and then returned to just shooting hoops with me in our driveway. But when I look back at that time, I am proud of how he tried something new, stepped out of his comfort zone and learned how much fun a team sport could be.

It was really fun to watch some of those same teammates he had all those years ago play in the state tournament. As the championship game concluded yesterday and we all watched the joy (and felt it ourselves), I was reminded of the phrase “the joy is in the journey”. I think that phrase can be applied to most experiences in life. So many times we get wrapped up in the end goal, and once we achieve the goal, we may even be feeling a little lost. And of course, if we fail to reach the goal, well, then we feel even worse.

But I think that focusing on being mindful of the journey itself, as we are going through it, helps us to not only see the beauty in each of those moments but it also allows us to more fully enjoy the destination when we get there.

Perhaps I also found myself thinking more about what the next few months will hold. Truth be told, Michael’s senior year has flown by much faster than I ever anticipated. The next destination is within view. 

Soon Michael will be going through all of the graduation ceremonies and celebrations and then the next journey will begin. And for the first time, he will be on a new journey without us.

Being a self proclaimed “helicopter” mom, I admit hasn’t made this any easier. Growing up and having your child leave the nest is a natural and necessary part of life but one that takes adjustments for both parents and child.

But I must also remember that as Michael starts his next journey, my husband and I will start our own. And even though the day to day experiences may not be taking place under the same roof, our journeys will stay interconnected, as we help each other along the way.

And in the end, we are all companions on life's journey....so as we travel, we need to bring along kindness, compassion, empathy, acceptance, patience, a caring spirit, humor, laughter, and gratitude. I firmly believe that every day life gives us chances to start fresh, to try new things, to expand our experiences and, hopefully, to find joy within the many journeys we take.

Smile Video

This week’s smile video involves a basketball team whose junior guard dedicated a crucial game to a friend he lost to cancer. When the game came down to the wire, something remarkable happened.

#believe #stevehartman #smilevideos

What I am reading…

I love watching PBS and I recently discovered a series entitled, Connected: A Search for Unity, hosted by Monty Moran, former CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill.  In this series he travels across the country and into Canada to speak with and share the stories of a range of individuals with unique perspectives on life, culture, the environment, politics, immigration and social media.

The first episode I watched was called "We Are Blood" and took place in Alberta, Canada. According to the description on the PBS website, “During his visit with the Blood Tribe on the Blackfoot Nation, Monty learned how the first people are coping in the aftermath of cultural genocide. Despite being stripped of their land, tradition, language, and identity, Monty found timeless wisdom even in the midst of great struggle, as well as powerful lessons of hope, forgiveness, redemption, and love.”

After watching the episode, I did a little research on the host and discovered a book that he had written. I have been reading it this past month and I love it. Why? Well, I have always been attracted to positive people and the energy they provide. Monty Moran is definitely one of those people and he has transformed the workplace environment at Chipotle by focusing on the employees personally and valuing them.

Sounds like a simple idea but why is it so hard for people to lead with compassion and genuine empathy? It isn’t really that difficult - it just takes time - time to get to know your employees and co-workers and what their stories are…Everyone has a story and each story, just like each individual, has value and purpose.

As one reviewer on Amazon stated, “If you aspire to serve those around you, if you want to lead and build a special team that is fueled by their own passion and connection to each other, then read this story and challenge yourself to be better than you were yesterday.”

This week’s TED Talk

I have watched TED Talks for many years now. I love the wide variety of experiences and opinions TED Talks offer. Here is one I would like to share for this week:

Everyone has the ability to build mental strength, but most people don't know how. 

We spend a lot of time talking about physical strength and physical health, but much less time on mental strength and mental health. 

We can choose to perform exercises that will help us learn to regulate our thoughts, manage our emotions, and behave productively despite our circumstances - the 3 basic factors of mental strength. No matter what your goals are, building mental strength is the key to reaching your greatest potential.

Amy Morin is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. Since 2002, she has been counseling children, teens, and adults. She also works as an adjunct psychology instructor.

Holistic Wellness Spotlight - exploring the mind/body connection

These yoga breathing techniques (also known as pranayama techniques, which refers to "breath control" in Sanskrit) will calm your nervous system, bring mental clarity and balance your energy. Use them to reduce anxiety and stress when it happens, or as prevention by practicing one or more of these yoga breathing exercises daily. These deep breathing techniques will help you relax and calm your mind.

 

Children’s Corner

Scribble, the book's main character, doesn't think he looks different until he met his first drawing. Then, after being left out because he didn't look like everyone else. Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are - which enables them to create amazing art.

 

Nice news…

Celebrated annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The religious holiday has been observed by the Irish for over 1,000 years, but the secular revelry commonly associated with it (think: drinking green beer and sporting shamrocks) is a more recent development. The first official St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in 1601, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. Boston and New York followed up with their own marches in the 18th century, and today, countries and cultures all over the world partake in the festivities.  

Check it out! https://nicenews.com/culture/global-st-patricks-day-celebrations/

Quote of the week

Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….