Lists and Launch Codes for Ordinary Days

Gratitude, Chores, Chocolate, Service, Breath, Nature - My Sunday Best #156

On my way to Iowa this past week, I listened to Anne Lamott’s Somehow: Thoughts on Love. I’ve read several books by Anne, but I absolutely love listening to her read her books to me. It’s like she’s riding in the passenger seat. I laugh out loud, smile, and nod my head in agreement as she and I drive down the highway.

In the book, she talks about a go-to practice she refers to as “a launch code when under attack.” It goes like this:

• Make a gratitude list

• Do my chores

• Be kind to myself

• Be of service

• Get outside

• Breathe

Here’s my take of an everyday kind of launch code.

Make a Gratitude List

This is easy. It’s how I start every day.

It almost always starts with the obvious, the little things that bring me joy: a cup of coffee, the sunrise, flowers, and birds.

This morning, after I got my cup of coffee and took the dogs outside, I came in to write. Since I never know what I’m going to write, I always start with a list of gratitudes. It’s the easiest way to get the words flowing because I don’t have to think. I just have to notice.

• Coffee that tastes especially good.

• The quietness of early morning.

• Cool air and dew on the grass.

• The colors of the sky last night when the sun dropped below the horizon.

• My two grandsons, each sleeping on a loveseat in the living room.

• A blank slate full of possibilities.

If you went through my journal, you would see that most days start with the same items: good coffee, still mornings, amazing sunrises, and love for the human beings and animals next to me.

Although I could probably just copy and paste, I don’t. For one thing, these lists are handwritten. And even though it may look like I’m repeating myself, no two mornings are the same.

Do My Chores

This is easy too.

It’s just basic survival skills: make the coffee, make breakfast, wash the dishes, start the laundry, check Dennis’s water bowl, etc.

There’s something comforting about chores. They anchor me in the present moment and remind me that life is made up of small acts repeated over and over again.

Be Kind to Myself

In Anne’s list, this is where chocolate comes in.

For me, it will probably be a hot fudge sundae from the ice cream shop down the street. Or soaking in lavender-infused bathwater.

I was only able to accomplish the bathtub part with the help of my six-and-a-half-year-old grandson, who patiently showed me how to turn on the faucet. I had already spent at least ten minutes trying to figure it out myself.

Being kind to myself also looks like spending time with two inspiring, loving, and brilliant little people.

Be of Service

This is where Trisha’s Handywoman Services comes in. My daughter-in-law, among her many talents, is an exceptional list maker—a quality I deeply admire. Whenever I come for a visit, I don’t have to wonder how I can help; it’s written on a list on the side of the refrigerator.

I know the list isn’t meant for me, but it’s in plain sight, so I figure it’s fair game.

Plus, there are things on that list that I can do.

So, while my son and daughter-in-law have entrusted me with the care of their two boys, their dog, and their recently purchased home for a few days, I have done exactly what they said to do: make myself at home.

For me, that means tackling a few projects.

As I mentioned earlier, I can do stuff.

One item on the list was: remove kitchen overhead cabinets.

I knew what this meant because my daughter-in-law had shared a few of her house renovation ideas before they left.

For the first two days, I stared at the cabinets and wondered whether this was something I could do without causing any damage.

Eventually, curiosity and confidence won out. After all, I’ve spent much of my life as a carpenter’s assistant.

Check.

Get Outside

The past few days, getting outside has meant playing basketball.

I’ve never been particularly good with a ball. Thankfully, my grandsons are forgiving when it comes to my dribbling and shooting skills, or lack thereof. So far, they haven’t called me out yet for traveling.

Maybe it’s a grandma thing, but all of my grandkids have exceptional ball-handling skills. The follow-through is something coaches have talked about all my life—whether it’s a ball or a rope. They have it. Me? Not quite.

We also spent time walking the neighborhood, learning our way around this new town. Along the way, we discovered fresh eggs for sale—just a block away, stored in a cooler, and priced at three dollars a dozen. We also found ball fields, perfect for an impromptu game with a real pitching mound and bases.

And, perhaps most importantly, we located the library.

Everyone should always know where the nearest library is.

Breathe

Breath and movement are by-products of getting outside.

This week, that included jumping on the trampoline while a hose sprayer shot water up from underneath, and running back and forth on the basketball court.

The breath comes without effort when joy is involved.

Thanks to Anne, I have somewhat of a plan for today.

But first, we’re going to buy a basketball, which must have gotten lost in one of the past two moves.

Then off to a movie, which falls under being kind to ourselves.

My grandson already said, “Since it’s summer vacation, can I get a Pepsi at the movie?”

Done.

Sometimes a launch code is simpler than we think. It’s just a matter of following my bliss.

There’s a song about this ❤️ Listen to Follow My Bliss below or on
Bandcamp