Grilled Chicken Tuesdays: This Is It

Meet our guest today, Dr. Amy Johnson, a psychologist and master certified life coach who helps clients create a life they design.

If you're writing dissertation conclusion on that topic, you can find helpful materials at the site (tag system is rather useful for that).

Dr. Amy's blog, Achievable Enlightenment, is aimed at helping readers adopt new mindsets and habits that help them live more joy-filled and successful lives. 

Three little words contribute more to my daily happiness than any others: This. Is. It.

This is it? Yeah, I get that these words may not flood you with instant bliss. In fact, they may even trigger some despair. This is it? It doesn’t get better than this? 

Well, it might. Or it might not. But either way, life is right now, today. 

I easily get caught up in planning for the future and thinking about the next big thing. Always looking for something to generate excitement and keep me anticipating. 

I’m rarely here, now. Usually somewhere else. So I often forget that This Is It and that’s why these words bring me so much joy. I forget that it’s the little moments every single day that make up a lifetime. 

This Is It. 

It’s sitting in traffic. What do you do with that time? Do you daydream about your upcoming vacation or notice the beauty of the sunrise reflecting off the buildings? 

Or do you calculate how late you’ll be and how that’s going to throw off everything else on your schedule? How you really should move because you’re wasting your life away in this traffic and besides, the taxes are too high here? 

Make no mistake. It’s your choice, always. 

It’s what happens at dinner tonight. Do you notice that it’s “just” grilled chicken again, that it’s “just” Tuesday again, and do you use those as excuses to go on autopilot? 

Or do you retell the funny joke you heard, ask the intriguing question that starts a good conversation, toast your family with your “just” water glasses? 

Are you annoyed that the baby is taking so long to eat her carrots and dropping half of them over the side for the dogs? Or do you stick your tongue out at her to make her laugh because her giggles spread to the whole family? 

It’s up to you, how you want to spend grilled chicken Tuesdays. It’s always your choice and This Is It. 

Oh, and remember that the happy choice is no harder than the less happy choice. We’re not talking about booking a cruise around the world or renewing your vows at the top of Table Mountain. 

Sure, those might be big, joyous events that shape your entire life. But a few years worth of grilled chicken Tuesdays and sitting in morning traffic are nothing to sneeze at, either. They add up. 

If you don’t believe me, try it. Try bettering these everyday occurrences for a while and see what happens. 

See if your work day doesn’t transform, and see if your dinners don’t, too. See if your co-workers and your partner and the baby don’t all look at you with greater love and admiration. And see how much easier it is to make the happier choice when everyone is seeing you that way. 

I look back on my early days in college with such joy. Everything was new and the world was totally open; I knew I could design any life I chose. Fifteen years later I have such fond memories…but was I happy in those moments? If I could talk to that girl now I’d scream, “Enjoy every second while you’re still there, living them!” 

Just like I look back on those college years now, someday I’ll look back on today and say, “Remember when the baby used to feed her carrots to the dogs and I’d stick my tongue out just to make her laugh for no reason? Remember how we used to clink water glasses on grilled chicken Tuesdays? I hope I was happy in those moments then. "I hope I realized This Was It.”

Talk to Amy below!


{ 24 comments… add one }

  • supernalsteve December 11, 2010, 6:16 am

    I like that “This. Is. It” and the way that you spoke about being in the now – really important because that’s all we ever have – ‘the now’. Byron Katie uses three words too, which I love, which are “Love what is”. Thanks for the post and for reminding me to be present today.

    Reply
  • Clearly Composed December 11, 2010, 7:48 am

    I love this post! It confirms the idea that it’s the reactions to the now that makes up the moments we call life. If we spent our days waiting to be happy when we use the good china then we have a life spent waiting, not living. Living richly is taking whatever moment comes and filling it with love. I so enjoyed how you shared this and will keep this notion tucked in my heart. Many loving thanks for what you share and how you share it. :)
    .-= Clearly Composed´s last post… The True Gifts of Christmas =-.

    Reply
    • jonathanfigaro December 13, 2010, 2:39 pm

      Very true. We can never wait. We have to get things done. It’s all about keep it moving and never stopping except to smell the roses. We have to always, Like Jonathan Mead says, ” be doing stuff.” As long as we fill our life with moments of non stop action and fun. We are living life. Nicely put Clearly Composed. Love the Post Tess. Would love to see you guys bring this discussion my way…( smiles )

      Reply
  • Tammy December 11, 2010, 8:50 am

    This Is It. I love the simplicity. It’s like Ram Dass said in the 60s; Be Here Now. I like the attitude it adopts. The only issue is that I find this is so hard to give others. It is really something that has to be discovered on your own.

    Reply
  • Debbie December 11, 2010, 10:14 am

    I like it! “This is it” is gonna become my new easy, in the moment affirmation. A phrase to jog me back into the present and remember to enjoy the moment and the beauty that is here right now. You are so right. It is always a choice, but I forget all too often! Thanks for the simple reminder!
    .-= Debbie´s last post…Wanting What You’ve Got =-.

    Reply
  • Uzma December 11, 2010, 10:32 am

    Very very well said. One does need to accept this’ that this is it’. ..We get lost in the future or past, or even unhappiness about this ‘moment’. Acceptance makes such a difference. Thank u so much for sharing.

    Reply
  • Brenda December 11, 2010, 8:25 pm

    HI Amy,
    Love your take on being in the moment and taking inspired action! I can tell you are a wise woman with an important message to share …and a sense of humor to go with it! Thanks Tess, for introducing us to Amy!
    .-= Brenda´s last post…Thoughts on Forgiveness =-.

    Reply
  • Amy Johnson December 11, 2010, 9:25 pm

    Thanks for your comments, everyone. I know it’s a simple message that seems to not always stick…I hope hearing it one more time, in one more voice, helps us all remember it a little better.
    Thanks Tess, for allowing me to share with your readers!

    Reply
  • Ande Waggener December 11, 2010, 10:12 pm

    Yep–joy is what happens in the little moments, and we miss it if we keep looking for the big moments. I love the “grilled chicken” wake up call. :)

    Reply
  • Joy December 12, 2010, 12:32 am

    Hi Amy,
    For me the emphasis would be *this is*…yoohoo yes it is!!
    I believe in creating magical–my life is as grand as I allow it to be..My vision sees the good and my Spirit nurtures and grows that good. The “happy choice” is ease free..and I much prefer ease free over struggle!!

    Thank you Tess, for sharing your space with Amy:)

    Reply
  • Alex Blackwell December 12, 2010, 5:06 am

    Terrific post Amy.

    It is the grilled chicken Tuesday nights that define our lives and the other nights in between.

    Alex

    Reply
  • Angela Artemis December 12, 2010, 7:05 am

    I can never hear this message too often.
    We only have today – now – this moment – to enjoy our lives.
    I love the message: This is it!

    Do it now, love now, live now – yes!
    .-= Angela Artemis´s last post…It’s Never Too Late to Live the Life Of Your Dreams =-.

    Reply
  • Katherine Jean December 13, 2010, 12:29 am

    Thankyou for this article. I find myself looking too much into the future instead of focusing on the “now” that I have as a stay at home mother with my kids. It’s a chance many mothers do not get, and I don’t want to waste it worrying about going back to work a year from now.
    .-= Katherine Jean´s last post…Sometimes I Just Need to Step Back =-.

    Reply
  • rob white December 13, 2010, 8:29 am

    Hi Amy,
    I love the zen of your statement, “This is it.” Indeed, sitting in traffic or doing dishes is a spiritual experience with the right view… a very subtly empowering article.

    Reply
  • Carolynn December 13, 2010, 11:39 am

    I love this perspective. It’s an excellent trigger that I’m going to adopt, too.

    Reply
  • Belinda December 13, 2010, 5:09 pm

    This Is It. I love the profound truth in this statement. May we all remember these three simple words as often as we can.

    Reply
  • Nea | Self Improvement Saga December 13, 2010, 8:33 pm

    Hi Amy. I love this post so much. This truly is it. I always say that life is the stuff in between big goals & accomplishments. It’s the journey- the little things along the way. We all have a choice to make the most of whatever IT is for us. Better to enjoy it all than to look back and realize you missed the happy moments while worrying about a happy life.
    .-= Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last post…Inspirational Words- Make a Difference Helping Others =-.

    Reply
  • Peggy Nolan December 13, 2010, 9:38 pm

    This. is. it.

    My husband is deployed. I cherish his calls and I’m a rabid fan of Skype.
    My daughter and grand daughter moved in because my son-in-law is also deployed. Grand baby is 18 months old and she loves sharing her food with both dogs…

    I treasure every morning I wake up, hear my grand baby, and I get to spend a few moments alone with her, laughing at the dog, teaching her where her elbows and knees are, changing her diaper and then passing her off to mama before I go to work.

    Silver linings are everywhere…even in deployments.
    .-= Peggy Nolan´s last post…Neurotic Confessions =-.

    Reply
  • Amy Johnson December 14, 2010, 8:47 am

    Good to remember…it’s especially easy to get caught up in the future when a big change is upcoming, but that can so easily rob us of the now. Thanks for your comment!

    Reply
  • Rebecca Matias December 14, 2010, 9:08 am

    Great article Amy! It is a message we could be reminded of several times daily! Your explanation of it provides a unique insight. The value in that is that it reinforces the concept to be further massaged into one’s mind. Blessings to you, and thank you for your authenticity in sharing:))

    Reply
  • Bryce December 14, 2010, 9:10 am

    Indeed. I find myself doing the same thing. I am always looking for a new project to take on. A new business to be a part of. A new hobby to develop.

    Looking back, I find that often I have gone on to other things after dabbling here and there. Reminding myself this is it may help me stay grounded more often.

    Reply
  • Rand December 14, 2010, 12:26 pm

    There is this large Italian family that sets up their picnic about every Saturday for the day. It is where I launch my kayak. The conversations that are always going on (in Italian) is almost un-real! The whole sterotype of the Italian Dinner is no sterotype. Just what is being served?

    Pleasure to read your post.

    Warm regards to your family,
    Rand

    Reply
  • Sandra Lee December 14, 2010, 5:37 pm

    Hi Amy,

    I love these super simple approaches to greater joy and happiness. In these crazy times, we need simple tips that really work. Thanks for this one. It’s easy to forget but so important to remember.
    .-= Sandra Lee´s last post…One Powerful Word- A Simple Approach to New Year’s Resolutions =-.

    Reply
  • Andrea DeBell - britetalk December 14, 2010, 9:24 pm

    Hi Amy! Beautiful reminder of how to stay in the moment and make the best of it. Better yet, how to make each moment count. Yes, my friend, this is it and we better not forget it because this moment doesn’t come around twice. :)
    Thanks for this gorgeous post. Loving blessings!
    .-= Andrea DeBell – britetalk´s last post…A Tantalizing Guide to Creating Overwhelming Abundance =-.

    Reply

Leave a Comment


Next Post:

Previous Post:

Your Fearless Life: Making It Happen
Take Your Fear and Shove It
Praise
”Tess has created a tool to help you dig up the hidden fears and finally conquer them. You'll be liberated and empowered, and finally at peace."
~ Leo Babauta
Bold