Monday, 7/4/22: Talking about the Chicago lakefront trail and power of anticipation

Happy Monday!

And Happy Fourth of July! Hope you are enjoying the long weekend and doing some quintessential summer activities. 🙂

It’s also a new week, which means it’s time for your next Monday motivation newsletter. Read on below for some steps to a happier Monday, a short story and a roundup of positive thoughts to get your week started.

Three Steps to a Happier Monday

Each newsletter starts with three prompts to inspire gratitude and simple intention setting. Take a moment and jot down answers to these three questions. To give an example, I share my answers below.  

Step 1: What are three things I appreciated from the weekend? 

Step 2: What is one thing I can be excited about today?

Step 3: What is my intention for this week? 

GRATITUDE: I’m thankful for time with family and friends, being able to see my great uncle and aunt for lunch and beautiful summer weather.  

TODAY: Today, I’m most excited to have the day off work and spend time with family and friends in PA!

INTENTION: My intention this week is to plan out July. 

Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂

Meaningful Musings: A “Thank You Note” to the Chicago Lakefront Trail 

Dear Chicago Lakefront Trail, 

Is it strange to write you a thank you note?

Maybe so. But six years ago today, I moved from Florida to Chicago, and when I think about that day, seeing Lake Michigan for the first time stands out in my memories. After nonstop open plains and farmlands, the Chicago skyline appeared suddenly and quite miraculously. As I took in the impressive beauty of the skyscrapers against the blue sky, I looked to the right and saw this massive body of water that seemed to be shimmering in the early July sun. 

It was the 4th of July (just like today!), so the trail that runs alongside the shore was just packed with people biking, running, pushing strollers, talking. I remember one of the most exciting things about that time in my life (right before moving to Chicago) was feeling like I was on the precipice of growing into myself. It was like I was peering over a steep edge, knowing a lot of change was about to happen. “Will I become someone who likes to spend time at the lakefront trail?” I wondered as I took in the sights and sounds of this new home. 

The lakefront trail has given and taught me so much over these last 6 years. 

It’s been my safe space to process and work through things – whether that be things related to my personal or professional life or even ideas for this newsletter. The vastness of the lake – and the stillness of it, especially in the early morning – keeps things in perspective for me. It reminds me that I’m connected to something bigger. 

When I lace up my sneakers and head out to run or walk most mornings, I experience the most interesting feeling. I feel at once at the center of everything and also anonymous. I am on display and also just a dot among the many others. And even though we’re all strangers, I feel a sense of camaraderie with the other runners, walkers, bikers. In so many ways, the lakefront trail has given me a feeling of community during times I’ve really needed it.

The lakefront trail has also taught me patience in the winter, which in turn also taught me appreciation for those warm summer mornings. 

The lakefront trail is where I’ve taken friends and family visiting from out of town, excited to share something I love so much with them.

And it’s where I’ve logged miles and miles of conversation in a new relationship, learning more about someone else, more about myself and more about an us. 

So yes, it might be unusual to write a note of appreciation for a physical place, but I think places shape us as much as we shape them. And I sure am thankful for the Chicago lakefront trail. 

Six years in Chicago as of today! Can’t believe it. 

On My Monday Radar

Sometimes we just aren’t ready to jump into our Monday to-do list right away. In case you want some content to procrastinate with, here is a roundup of a few positive things on my radar:  

• I’m spending a few days in the place that’s synonymous with summer for me – my grandma’s house in Sharon, PA – and reflecting on the thoughts I shared this time last year. So thankful to have another July 4th weekend here. Miss you, Gram! 
• To enjoy life more, embrace anticipation. YES! Completely onboard with the idea that looking forward to something can be almost as good as experiencing it. This article featured suggestions for ways to harness and incorporate the power of anticipation into your everyday life. My favorite suggestion? Writing down one thing you’re excited for tomorrow at the end of each day. I’m going to try that this week!  
• A joyful mindset shift to rely on to get “unstuck.” Liked this post from Ingrid on a playful way to problem solve and catch yourself before ruminating too long on a problem that feels impossible to solve. Need to remind myself of this!  
• Loved this summer reading roundup. Have read a handful of the suggestions and agree that they make great summer reads. Right now, I’m reading (and loving) Daisy Jones & The Six and then next on my summer reading list is Elin Hilderbrand’s Hotel Nantucket and Emily Henry’s Book Lovers. What are you reading this summer?

That’s all for today! I hope you found something in today’s newsletter that sparked motivation, made you smile or inspired a positive Monday thought. Don’t underestimate the power of starting small… a fulfilling week starts with just one fulfilling day. You’ve got this! 

Let’s make it a great Monday!
Megan