We spend so much of our lives worrying, problem solving, complaining, or waiting for the next thing that when a bit of sweetness arrives, we often fail to relish in it. All too often we can remember the cringe-worthy thing we did or said in middle school in excruciating detail, but our memory is hazy when it comes to the more pleasant side of life. This isn't because of some personal failing of ours; it is built into our brains to record, remember, and ultimately learn from perceived threats to our physical and emotional safety.

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It felt like Mary Oliver had cracked me open and peered inside. She knew my struggles and with a few simple words, was releasing me from the prison I had created for myself. How many of us share this fear, that we are not, somehow, good enough; that we have to repent, apologize, or live in such a way that makes up for our inadequacies. For many that I work with, this is an old fear that haunts much of their days.

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The research on gratitude practices is strong; when we pause and take the time to recognize and reflect on the things and people in our lives that fulfills us, our sense of well-being increases. There are a million ways to practice gratitude, including gratitude jars, gratitude journals, or even naming three things you are grateful for each day before getting out of bed. Today I share what I’m grateful for.

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If social media is to be believed, self care is mainly bubble baths, fancy chocolates, high-priced cocktails, and shopping sprees. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of each of these things, but I do worry when our main understanding of self-care as a practice can be summed up by the .gif “treat yo self.” I love Parks and Rec like the next girl, but self-care is more than simply treating ourselves.

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