When you are tired, anxious or feeling lonely, take a mini break from the heaviness of the Covid-19 bad news virus.  I am not suggesting that you abandon the rules of maintaining social distancing. (Some day, we will enjoy those social activities once again.)  Instead, I am suggesting that you take a mini break right in your own home.

One way to take a mini break is to follow the advice of Ann VosKamp.  In her book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are Ann challenges us to notice gifts which we already have.

So, each day I walk around my house and spot gifts given to me by special people. Today’s gift is the beautiful brightly patterned wire bowl which sits on my dining room table.

I take a picture of the item with my phone and write a text or email thanking the person for the gift.  For example, today’s gift, the bowl, was a gift several years ago from my daughter-in-law; so, I wrote her the following note:

Dear Jeri:
Each day as I walk through my home, I notice gifts which special people have given me and then I think of the person and write them a note.  Today my focus was on the wire bowl which you gave me.  It is displayed on my dining room table where I see it often.  I continue to enjoy its vibrant colors and design. And I think of you and thank God for your presence in my life and our family’s lives! Thank you for both gifts: lovely you and the lovely bowl. I love you!

Karen

I cannot tell you how rewarding and fun it is to find a new gift each day and remember the gift and the giver.  This little daily exercise not only makes me feel happy and thankful, but I hope my note of thanks makes the giver of the gift happy too.

As I write this, I’m reminded the lyrics from the song, “Make Someone Happy”:

“Make someone happy
Make just one someone happy
And you will be happy too”

Take a mini break. It works!  Please try it!