If you know me, you know I have an affinity for freshly sharpened pencils.  It’s one of my quirks that I’ve learned to celebrate.  The other day, I discovered another simple pleasure – dishtowels.  (And no, it’s not because it’s the end of summer, and I’m beginning to go temporarily insane with the 24/7 lifestyle we’re leading.)

Many of the kitchen towels I had were from bridal showers and wedding gifts over 15 years ago.  On a whim at Target I decided to buy 2 bundles of matching white dishtowels.  I think they ended up being less than $10 for eight new towels.

I tossed the old ones and now when I open the dish towel drawer, it looks nice and uncluttered, and in a weird way it makes me feel like I have a little more control over my chaotic life.

Recently, I watched a great program produced by PBS about stress and its effects.  One of the findings based on recent research was that what we see, hear, and smell each day has a direct relationship to how much stress we feel. Although it sounds crazy, my dishtowels are a confirmation of this finding.  I love seeing some order when I open that drawer in my kitchen.

Look around your life for quick and inexpensive replacements of items that you use daily.  With just a few dollars you just might reduce your stress and increase your joy.

EXTRA-Ordinary Ideas

Watch It:  The Science of Healing with Dr. Esther Sternberg   This is a great DVD that highlights how what we see, hear, and smell each day affects our moods.

Do It:  Make life simple.  Instead of doing a major clean out, pick one small thing this week you’ll give 15 minutes of attention to – like the dishtowel drawer.

Think It: “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”  Benjamin Franklin

I have the privilege of writing a humor column for a local magazine. One of the top questions I get asked is, “How do you come up with your ideas?” People are usually a bit disappointed when I don’t have a magic formula or some sophisticated answer. “I just think of them,” I say. But after a little more reflection, I’d like to amend my answer. I say, Life is filled with all kinds of ideas. It just depends on what you’re looking for.

The column has forced me to pay attention to the absurdity of my life. I have to say it’s a pretty good job to have when you’re forced to find the funny. I’ve gotten used to setting my dial each day to look for the humor in every day life. Now that I’ve changed my perspective, I can uncover the seed of humor in most any situation. Things that would have left me deathly embarrassed or utterly furious now have a larger purpose.

I think that we can all “set our dials” and decide what we want to “see” each day: humor, goodness, kindness, fun, happiness, gratitude, love. All of these things are out in the world just waiting for us to pay attention to them. It’s not that we don’t already know these things exist, we just fail to set our dials each day so that we can consciously look for and witness what we want to see in the world.

So ask yourself, “Have I set my dial today to see what I want to see?” You’ll be amazed at the things that show up once you know what you’re looking for.

EXTRA-Ordinary Ideas:

Read It: One of my favorite writing books of all time, and it’s funny too. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

Bird by Bird

Do It: If you haven’t already, now would be the perfect time to start a Gratitude Journal. It’s amazing how much stress floats away when you focus on all the things you’re grateful for.

Think It: “Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of those around you.” Eileen Caddy

OK, so I don’t love swimsuit season, but I do LOVE summer. And in order to get the most out of the season, I’m making a list of a few things that I want to do this summer. The only requirement I’ve given myself is the items on the list have to have an “I’m looking forward to this” factor. Who needs one more obligation? (Not me!) So I’m going to make sure my summer short list is full of fun.

Recently, I had the opportunity to see best-selling author Matthew Kelly. His message inspires people to become the best versions of themselves. (You can check out his website by clicking on his name.) Of all the gems I took away from his presentation that night, the one that most resonated with me is this:

The things that matter most are rarely Urgent.

In other words, it isn’t urgent that you plan that summer barbeque, spend time hanging out with someone you love, or start reading that great summer book. However, these non-urgent activities are the things that fill your life with more joy. Taking a lean into leisure attitude helps us to be refreshed and renewed for the other parts of our busy lives.

So get to it! What will your summer short list be?

Extra-Ordinary Ideas:

Read It: A great list of summer drinks. Perfect for sitting on the porch swing and relaxing with a tall, cold glass of somethin’ somethin’ . . .

Do It: Make your own summer short list. Download an easy to print form to get started now! It’s a simple 1,2,3 list that even kids can fill out. Download MySummerList.pdf

Think It: “The summer night is like a perfection of thought.” ~Wallace Stevens?

Everybody loves getting a gift, right? Any kid (and some adults) can tell you that the anticipation of opening a nicely wrapped package is half the fun. The other half of the fun belongs to the giver of the gift. This week you can be the gift giver by giving away something that is free, good for you, and accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime:

Enthusiasm

I’m not talking about the fake enthusiasm that exudes from the fitting room attendant that tells the shopper a door down from you that the pastel pink pleated pants suit “looks fabulous” and “ is absolutely still in style.” I’m talking about a genuine feeling emitted by particular people on a regular basis in the midst of day-to-day life. You can probably think of someone who brings energy, levity, and fun to most any situation. They keep life interesting, and others love to be around them. I used to think that these people had a natural gift. But experience has taught me otherwise:

Enthusiasm is a choice.

People who have an enthusiastic attitude on a regular basis have made a conscious choice to view life in a positive way. They make it look so easy that we tend to forget that effort is a part of enthusiasm.

Some situations are easy to be enthusiastic about, but it’s the smaller stuff of life that can most be affected by enthusiasm. Making an effort to inject enthusiasm into the routine of things can change your perception of your daily life. You don’t have to overdo it: cleaning out the trash can with fervent enthusiasm may cause your family undue concern. But, you can start with just one thing – like being enthusiastic when hearing of a friend’s accomplishment, or being enthusiastic when you first see your children after school, or being the one who brings the enthusiasm to a difficult task you are doing with others.

I’ve been given the gift of enthusiasm many times by family, friends, co-workers, students, and even strangers. Each time I receive it, I feel better mentally and physically. The enthusiasm of others allows me to conquer what I think is impossible and turns routine experiences into something memorable.

I hope you put enthusiasm to work for you (and others) this week.

Extra-Ordinary Ideas:

Read It: Read a Washington Post column on how one man has been putting his enthusiasm to work for 55 years as a stadium usher.

Do It: Choose one day this week to be a person of high enthusiasm!

Think It: “Nothing Great Was Ever Achieved Without Enthusiasm” – Ralph Waldo Emerson