Photo: D. Paul Graham, ‘Sign, sign, Everywhere a sign’, Venice Beach, circa 2004

“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. 89 & The Power of Now …..

I watched a comedian last week that joked about his time spent during covid. He said that if he did all the things he set out to accomplish during his time off the road, he would be fluent in Spanish, French, and German, would play the piano, would cook meals like a Michelin chef, would be 40 pounds lighter with a 6-pack stomach for the first time in his life, and would read a book a day. Despite the time he had, he did nothing that he thought he would. After laughing with the comedian, I realized that as of today, there are 89 days left in 2022. Three quarters of this year is finished. And I asked myself some questions: What will you do with the days left this year? What have you left unfinished? What haven’t you started? What haven’t you stopped? Who haven’t you spoken to? Will you start now? This morning’s M5T looks at the power of doing things now for the remaining 89 days of the year.

1. Exercise Thankfulness

Take these next 89 days to be more thankful – everyday. Thankful for things you see. Thankful for things you hear. Thankful for the people in your life. Thankful for those you love. Savor and be thankful for all that you taste, touch, and feel. Thankful for the struggles in your life. Thankful for the blessings in your life.

2. Extend Grace

Take these next 89 days to extend grace. To forgive someone, even when they don’t deserve it, or ask for it. Forgiving yourself may be the most profound grace you can extend. Consciously seek out opportunities to extend grace by writing and mailing a note or card not just sending a text or an email, by giving someone a hug, by genuinely asking how someone is – asking how they really are. And then give them the grace of really listening. Give the gift of grace with an anonymous act of kindness. If someone is in pain, don’t just ask them to let you know if you can do something for them – just do something without asking. Choose your words carefully. Be kind. Even when you don’t feel like it.

3. Heed Habits

Take these next 89 days to look hard at your habits. What toxic habits need to be removed from your life? What habits inspire positive momentum in your life? What habits need to be started in your life? How do you start your day? How to you spend your day? How do you finish your day? What habits need to be embraced, embellished, or extricated?

4. Resolute Focus

Take these next 89 days to take a hard look at how you’ve spent time this year. Commit to focusing, or refocusing on your priorities, your goals, your objectives, and your dreams. Be resolute and ruthless in cutting out distracting activities and noxious people in your life. Persevere. Be determined and intentional in all that you do, all that you plan, all that you start, and all that you finish.

5. Make Peace

Take these next 89 days to finding peace with the prior four points of this morning’s M5T. What’s behind you is behind you. Use each of these 89 days to take some time to breath, to reflect, and to pray; to find the peace that comes from solitude and looking inward with honesty. Be at peace with today and use it as a foundation for tomorrow, and your future. Take a break to refresh your mind, your body, and your spirit. No matter how difficult your situation may be, this too shall pass. Learn from it and process your life as it is, not what you think it should be. Take these next 89 days to be at peace with yourself and recommit to your personal mission in life. Use that peace to celebrate you.

Here’s to the remaining 89 days that we have left in this year and to exercising the power of starting things now.

© 2022 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 10 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T ™.  Each Monday, Paul shares his observations, thoughts and passions on people, life, and culture.