It’s Sunday evening and I am finding myself with the beginnings of the ‘weekend is ending’ dread. It’s an unfortunate phenomenon that tends to happen to me when the weekend has all but ended and I realize that tomorrow is Monday and I have to go back to work. Do you battle that?

I am thinking about this dread, because I fear that the dread I feel at this very moment is actually robbing me of joy I could be feeling. Louisa put a fun movie on (August Rush), but instead of allowing myself to get lost in it, I am letting my thoughts wander towards the dread.

So I am going to make a choice at this very moment. I am going to choose to let the dread go. Deep breath in, I am letting it go as I think about my choice to look forward to the week ahead. Blow out the air while I count my blessings, including my Mikey, my children, my job, my classes, my friends and knitting. Deep breath in while I watch my puppy curled up in the chair, dreaming and snoring. Blow the air out while I hear the music coming from the movie as it builds to the next big moment. Deep breath in while I gaze at my sweet daughter who is whispering to Winnie about how much she loves her. Blow the air out while I stretch out the sore muscles in my back and neck, realizing how much better they can feel.

Right here, right now, I am making my choice.

I can’t control the clock or the calendar. I can’t control the weather. I can’t really control much of anything at all. (Come on, I have teenagers, remember??) But I can control my own attitude. I can control how I face my Sunday night. I can control how I focus my energy as I move into the week ahead.

My goals for this week:

1. Notice people more. Make eye contact and smile. Nod and say, “Hello” as much as possible.
2. Say “please” and “thank you” at every possible opportunity. Extend every single courtesy at every moment.
3. Laugh with others and give them silly, kind reasons to laugh. Tell the “impatient cow” knock knock joke at least once.

I am wishing you all a lovely week. May your joys be many and your sorrows be few. If you find yourself in a space of dread, know that it’s up to you as to how you proceed.

We’ve got this, friends! <3