July 8th 2023

This week I spent some time pulling thistle that was too large for us to uproot with the cultivator. It would be flowering soon, and then going to seed. I envisioned the field next year, free of thistle. (I’ll settle for simply less of it, if I’m being honest.) I pulled it up partially because it was a nuisance but more so as an investment in the future. I’ve been trying to do that more in my own life lately. I’m trying to do little things everyday that I know will pay off down the road. Even something small, like prepping my breakfast the night before, drinking more water, going to the gym… and I’ve noticed the more I do it the easier it gets. When I feel the urge to snooze my alarm instead of going to the gym I quickly remind myself that I will appreciate it if I go. I will feel better all day long if I have the discipline to get myself there. There are so many things that we can do to be kind to our future selves, but most of them take a little discipline in the moment. It’ll look different for everyone. But day after day, season after season, things will get a little easier and we will look back with gratitude and pride for the ways that we have loved ourselves.