Respite Reflections’ purpose is to help people push the “pause” button in their transition work — to take a break from the thinking, researching, networking and preparing for interviews. Taking a moment to center yourself, ponder a positive thought, and focus on a broader perspective is invaluable during a time of transition.
“Write it on your heart that every day
is the best day in the year.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Yes, it’s true, on that day when four inches of snow fell in one hour and you had to shovel it all by yourself, yes that was one of the best days of the year. And that day when you fell, breaking your wrist in four places and needed to wear a cast for six weeks, yes that too was one of the best days of the year.
Gratitude has been shown to be one of the most powerful emotions available to actually change our physiology, not to mention our psychology and mental outlook on life. However, the only way to discover its benefits is to practice it.
Try writing down 5 things for which you are grateful, every night, before going to sleep at the end of the day. The more days completed by letting our mind dwell on gratitude, perhaps the more days there will ultimately be to do so.
– Connie Popp
Dr. Connie Popp is a board member for The Center for Life Transitions as well as an active facilitator for the Center’s Life-SHIFT and Job Search Courage programs. She is also the Director of Campus Ministry at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read more.