I recently read How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Katy Milkman. The book is an interesting and insightful look into how we can make change happen. Milkman writes “[I]f you want to change your behavior or someone else’s, you’re at a huge advantage if you begin with a blank slate – a fresh start- and no old habits working against you.” Of course, this is easier said than done. She further writes that “[w]e’re more likely to pursue change on dates that feel like new beginnings because these moments help us overcome a common obstacle to goal initiation: the sense that we’ve failed before and will, thus, fail again…This explains why every Monday, I’m sure the week ahead will be more productive than the last.”
I intentionally started this challenge on the FIRST day of the month which conveniently fell on a Monday. A double fresh start.
The pandemic has created more opportunities for fresh starts and provided a chance to focus on what is important. Remember during the height of the pandemic when everybody was wearing mask? You could see no expression. No compassion. No care. No joy. Just eyes hiding behind a mask.
As the pandemic winds downs and we take our masks off, we can see faces again. So today, give smiles and see what happens. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Smile at strangers. Smile at coworkers. Smile on the phone. Smile on Zoom. I bet at least one person smiles back. Be grateful for gift of human expression and emotion. Happy Monday!
Sireadh Toileachas 