In the past, whenever I’d check my voicemail, I’d experience a wave of anxiety. Whatever long-form message couldn’t be communicated into a text often required work on my part- a request involving extra time and energy, needing to provide information, set up a future meeting or the worst- “Please call me back when you have a chance.'“ As an introvert, this felt exhausting, and I’d often delay checking and listening to voicemails for these reasons.

At the start of 2022, I changed my voicemail greeting and added a simple, “If you’d like, feel free to share something you’re grateful for.”

This changed everything. Checking my voicemails soon became a delight, as I listened to the random gratitudes of strangers and friends alike. They ranged from “I’m grateful I was able to go to the movie theater for the first time in two years and eat popcorn with Milk Duds” to “I’m stoked we got to hang out and I’m grateful I get to see you again next week.”

By inviting some magic into the mundane, I’ve transformed my relationship with a task I previously despised. Now when I check my voicemail, I’m curious, excited, and filled with joy, experiencing the gratitude of someone else and sharing their special magical moments.

Think about the parts of life that you avoid or naturally detest. How can you invite a spark of magic?

You may be pleasantly surprised.

Call me. And if I don’t pick up, leave a voicemail with something you’re grateful for. It’s a win-win for both of us. And I promise I’ll call you back and we’ll swim in gratitude together.