Small Victories

It is easy, sometimes, to feel defeated at the end of a long day. Yet, even on the most trying or overwhelming of days, there are small victories.
 
If you made a phone call you've been putting off making, there is a small victory.
 
If you successfully cleared off a shelf that has been accumulating clutter for what, based on its contents, is over a year, there is a small victory.
 
If you remembered to buy the kind of bagels your son likes but he hasn't had in weeks because you haven't bought them, there is a small victory.
 
If you showed grace in a situation where you could have been, well, less than gracious, there is a small victory.
 
If you accomplished dinner, and the cleaning up of dinner, by 9:30, despite not getting home till 8:30, there is a small victory.
 
If you appreciated the fact that your comfortable shoes allowed you to walk to work, even if you didn't feel up to going to the gym, there is a small victory.
 
If you spoke up, even just once, and were heard, and listened to, there is a small victory.
 
If you reminded yourself, even just once, that your life choices are in your hands, not just other people's, there is a small victory.
 
Life is full of things that can make you feel powerless and defeated. The key, as I see it, is making sure to recognize the small victories along the way. Even on the most battle-filled of days, they often stack up pretty well--and make you feel like a winner after all.