The 9/11 Checklist

This morning my friend Deborah taught a lovely yoga class all about celebration and gratitude and it was just wonderful.  My body was super tired because I'd already taught yoga once before I took her class, but it was just NICE to be reminded of how lucky we are, and of course on a day like today we can't help but remember that some aren't quite as lucky as us.  

So, here are some things to do today.  

• Do not complain about a single thing.  I'm not saying you won't HAVE anything to complain about, just don't do it.  You don't have to.  You can just move on instead of wasting time complaining.  
• Smile.  Even if you don't mean it.  Then do it again.  
• Whatever you need to do today, do it cheerfully.  Work hard, play hard, laugh hard, do it for real.  Even laundry and things you think are dumb.  
• If you find it very hard to be cheerful about something, make a plan to change it.  Not this instant.  Maybe not even this year.  If you REALLY hate something, find a way to gently nudge it out of your life and replace it with something that feels right.  
• Smile.  Even if you don't mean it.  Then do it again.  
• Envision lightness.  I know it sounds dumb, bear with me.  But, I think sometimes that we allow ourselves to get weighted down by things that simply aren't important.  THE HOUSE IS DIRTY.  WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.  WE ARE FREAKING OUT ABOUT THINGS THAT WE CANNOT POSSIBLY CONTROL.  Take a long exhale, and actively envision something that weighs you down lifting up.  It works.  Then also stop caring so much about what your house looks like.  

Then, when you've done all of these things, do them again tomorrow.  And every day after that.   Happiness and love can be simple if we allow them to be.  

We don't only have to be grateful and kind and calm on sad days of remembrance, you know.  And, we don't have to be sad on days of remembrance.  We can be joyous and turn darkness into light.  

Go be corny.  Its a good feeling to not always insist on being jaded and sarcastic.