Fall in Love with Your Practice All Over Again

I remember hearing a story once about a unique gift a man gave to his wife that ended up changing both of their lives. Rather than go to the store and pick out another last-minute gift, he decided to do something more meaningful. He bought a nice bound journal and every day, for a year, he recorded in that journal something his wife did that day that he appreciated.

It could be the breakfast she made, a small act of kindness like ironing a shirt he needed, a thoughtful remark or even just a smile at the right time. Every day he wrote something down, and then on Thanksgiving he gave her the journal. His wife was deeply moved.

Looking through the pages, she saw the evidence that in any relationship it is often the small things that count—things that, in many cases, she didn't even remember doing. But her husband had noticed and he cared enough to document these little moments of appreciation. It was the best gift she had ever received.

It turned out to be a gift for the husband too. He realized just a few days after starting the journal that he was seeing his wife in a new way. Just the simple exercise of noting one thing a day that he loved about her made him understand on a deeper level what she meant to him. He had given himself the gift of awareness. He said it was like falling in love all over again.

I think the lesson here is that appreciation comes from awareness—and sometimes our awareness needs a boost. Sometimes we have to force ourselves to see the wonderful abundance and the opportunities around us.

Why not try an exercise like this yourself? Make it a point to note at least one thing a day that you love about your practice. It's a great way to give yourself a mental vitamin and get your mind centered on what matters. And while you're at it, note one thing each day—no matter how minor— that you would like to improve. As I often say, what you pay attention to works. So give yourself the gift of attention.