The city by the bay

Colleagues,

MVP: We can reframe the way we see things in positive ways

I was in San Francisco, my home town, from January 4-13. For the past 10 years, visits home have been stressful and filled with anxiety for several reasons:

• Several visits have revolved around my mom’s hospitalizations. I worried about her health then and into the future.
• I have been frustrated watching my mom’s world shrink with the challenges that come with living into your 90s
• The city is not the same. The streets I played on as a boy are crowded with cars, the fields covered by condos, and the free museums priced at discouraging rates.
• I am not the same. I have become accustomed to living in my quiet mountains and this slower rural way of life where people pause to smile and greet each other.

As this most recent trip approached, I did some soul-searching and realized how much I had been missing. I resolved to reframe what a trip to San Francisco meant in the following ways:

• I am blessed to have a remarkable mother who is still so intelligent and articulate that I dare not challenge her to a game of scrabble. Instead of fretting about her health, I will celebrate the time we have together.
• A good life at 90 is different from a good life at 80, 60, 30, etc… Accept what is and capitalize on strengths instead of bemoaning weaknesses.
• Appreciate The City. It is full of great walks, hidden beauties, and dim sum.

I’ll write more this week about some powerful lessons, but the point of today’s email is to shed light on how we can intentionally reframe how we see our circumstances.

Today’s intention: Check in with your life. What creates stress? Is it an aging parent, a struggling child, a school spread beyond capacity? Just reflect and consider.

Cheers!

Frederick