I was in an 8pm meeting in Thursday when several other parents on the call were talking about how they had to distract their kids or feed them something simple so they could make it to this call. At that time, my youngest was upstairs folding all our laundry, including sheets and towels.

Today, after he and I went grocery shopping, my back started hurting on the way home, so when we returned, he put away all the groceries, washed all the fruit and vegetables, put the bags by the door and then started the dishwasher and a load of laundry.

No one and nothing is perfect here, not even close. And yet there is so much goodness in my life. People who love me and find millions of ways to show me that love. Little boy does it by saying yes to the chores. And hugs. He also always says yes to hugs.

I am so very lucky and so very grateful.

Yes to seeing those who love us.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Happy Friday. I don’t have too much on mind this weekend. I’ve been working hard to release and let go of things as they come and I’ve started practicing breathwork this week. It’s helping. So is exercise and yoga and stretching.

So are good books.

Yes to doing what helps

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Today went a bit all over the place. I had some plans but the universe had different plans. Usually when this happens I find I get cranky about the plans I’d made in my head.

But today, I took a moment, readjusted my thinking, took a peek at my day, felt grateful that most of it was in fact flexible and not urgent meetings and then just readjusted my mindset.

The interesting part of this, for me, is that this option is available to me every day. Things aren’t as urgent or important as they might appear and yet my seld-created sense of urgency causes me unnecessary stress.

It was a good reminder that things are more flexible than they might seem.

Yes to shifting as needed.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

I had some tough conversations to have today and it made me realize that it’s helpful to work at it on my own first and see what outcome I really wanted.

If I am not clear.on what I want going in, it’s really hard to ensure that I know what to say. At the same time, if I am really attached to the outcome I want, then I might not listen well.

So I need to walk that narrow line where I am clear in my why and what and also I am not attached to the outcome.

Yes to practicing non-attachment.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Saturdays are for lying on the couch. I miss summer already and I am also excited about Christmas season. I am grateful for the quiet of these cold days. Snuggling up with a good book, music I love and a warm drink.

Yes to simplicity.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

I miss going places and doing things.

A friend of mine at work told me a few weeks ago that the top way people feel included at work is by feeling recognized. Which I guess is a way people feel seen and appreciated maybe?

So I’ve been thinking about how I prefer to be recognized and how I can communicate clearly about that. And what makes me feel seen.

And I’ve also been thinking about how I can do that for others. How I can listen better for what makes them feel seen and appreciated.

Yes to being seen.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes