#16: Word of the Day
Look internally and post a reminder externally.
Instructions
Take a pause to begin the day (or week).
Notice if there’s a word or phrase of encouragement you need.
Make a small note to post where you can see it, or a desktop/phone background.
When you’re frazzled, take a moment to look back at the reminder.
Repeat as needed.
What the AHHHH?
If I’m not careful, I can wake up, hop on my phone, and suddenly it’s 3 p.m. and I’m exhausted—and mad at myself for getting thrown into the tornado.
Image: Many days, metaphorically.
One thing that’s been helpful for me is to place some gentle reminders around my workspace, my desktop, or other spots. If you find yourself rolling your eyes at this and picturing those cheesy cheap “live, love, laugh” painted signs—I GET IT.
Image: SNL did a great bit on these horrible things.
The aversion is there for a reason—trying to pretend that things aren’t hard and that you can magically bypass discomfort is a BAD idea, and will usually boomerang back on you. Also, PLENTY of snake oil has been spilled about manifesting and “The Secret” and equivalent nonsense. (Sidenote: the original ‘snake oil’ used by Chinese railroad workers had been used for centuries, was high in omega 3 and reduced inflammation—the real problem happened when ‘entrepreneurs’ showed up—sound familiar?)
For many years I’d get annoyed at any yoga or meditation teacher who talked about “setting an intention”, but I think that was mainly just because it was often offered with that annoying “spa voice.”
Image: SERENITY NOW does not work
Finding Your Non-annoyed Way
However, as it turns out, I ended up becoming a meditation teacher and producer, and can do a pretty good spa voice. And I even got into vision boards via the hilarious Ron Funches. It turns out that saying what you actually want in your life (not just jetskis) is hard, vulnerable, and powerful stuff. Responding to the stupidity of the world with criticism and annoyance can work for a while, and then at some point you have to grow up or just retreat into bitterness.
You will not be a good person to be around, especially for yourself.
Image: Marry a person who will make you a custom calendar of your favorite quotes.
Speaking of funny things: “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” was a great show, and I’m so glad that my childhood included that weirdness. One of the ongoing gags was Pee-wee picking a secret “word of the day” with the audience, breaking the fourth wall, and then screaming whenever one of the other characters said it. It’s a reminder that play and fun are critical parts of our life.
Image: Pee-wee and the Playhouse characters hear the Word of the Day
My friend and yoga teacher Frank came up with a great craft activity where you pick a word or short phrase from a poem or saying, write those up on little cards, and maybe even frame a few of them. One in our house just says “a**holes”, and every time I see it, it both makes me laugh and reminds my of the Taylor Mac quote my friend Peggy taught me: “Perfection is for A**holes”.
I keep a pile of these near my desk and cycle them out. This week, “water”, which reminds me of that Bruce Lee quote to “be water”. For a long time, my desktop background has been the drag queen Jinkx Monsoon repeating her own phrase borrowed from her grandma (I think) to allow criticism to be like “water off a duck’s back” to cool her jets.
So, as with most things in life, find what works for you to gently remind yourself that you are not a Spreadsheet Machine, and that your Inbox and/Calendar are not the only guideposts for your life. Remind yourself of what really matters most to you however you can. And as needed, scream REAL LOUD.
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