Speaking positive to others

On my fridge I have written, “This year I want to focus on giving thanks. Life’s not an emergency. Just. Slow. Down.”



I intended that to mean that I would like to remember to stop doing, to take breaks and just cherish the moment, to whisper a thank you to God for the blessings He’s placed around me.

But I realized today that I also need to say thank-you to my three year old. Poor child, he hears far more “I don’t like when you do xyz” than “I like xyz about you.”

Yes, I need to focus on speaking positive to him, also.

The choice is yours

At the end of this inspiring post, FlyLady revealed her 2013 motto:

Words can be kind or mean
The choice is yours in 2013.

I modified it slightly to fit my own personal needs… I know that being kind to others is a choice. But I needed the reminder that I can be kind to myself. It is not required that I constantly beat myself up!

I grabbed my dry erase marker,

Marched to the fridge, and

Wrote it big and bold:

To others AND ME, I can be kind or mean.
The choice is mine in two thousand thirteen.

Perfection v. High Standard?

I’ve been struggling the past while to understand the difference between perfectionism and high standards.

Shooting for a lofty goal is good; expecting perfection is crippling. But what’s the difference??


You will know that you have reached your goal when it has become a habit. It is not perfection; you don’t have to do it right EVERY time, just most of the time.


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I have created a new habit since the first of the year: going to bed earlier! At least, most evenings. :)

To give myself motivation, I joined a group of women who meet every weekday morning for Bible Study and to encourage each other. We are starting another Hello Mornings challenge in May. Registration starts Friday, April 26. We'd love for you to join us!!
Paige

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Stop Grumpy in his Tracks!

Last Sunday, I was listening to the pastor read Psalms 100, and I had a lightbulb moment.

Psalm 100:1-2 KJV
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

If I have a dark room, I don't try to push the darkness out or bat at it with a newspaper. No, I just walk over to the light switch and Woosh! The darkness disappears.

Likewise, if I want negative, whiney feelings to leave, I can't just wish that they'd leave. It won't work to just "stop" grumpiness.

Nope, pushing grumpy out doesn't work. But turning on the light does! I just have to open my mouth and make some joyful noise!

When I feel really down, it is hard to make that joyful noise. Here are some ideas; I have to start with the easiest and work my way to the hardest. I've discovered that I want to stop with the quiet things; it's hard to make that joyful noise. But if I do, Grumpy comes right back. Yuk!
I try to do most of the list to make good and sure that Mrs. Sour Grump has left town!


...read a children's story OUTLOUD, in which the character is excited. (maybe Pooh Bear, Roo, or Tigger). As you mimic his tone/words, your spirits will start to lift.

...Thank God for two things right now.

...take a 2-5 minute walk outside and thank God for everything beautiful that you can see.

...look at the sky and say, "God loves me".

...sigh with contentment (as much as you can possibly muster) and say, "i love being a mother/homemaker/wife (whichever hat you are wearing at the moment).

...smile as big as possible.

... clap your hands 3 times

...sing, "Put a smile on your face, put a smile on your face, don't let mr. frown come around."

...skip 3 steps. Do you remember how? :) Come on, you can do it!

...sing, "if you're happy and you know it say 'amen'. (shout AMEN!)

...laugh outloud for a full minute. For no reason. Granted, it feels ridiculous. It will become real 15 seconds into it because it feels sooo ridiculous!

...and just for good measure, shout, throw your arms in the air and twirl around!


Abraham Lincoln said, "People are as happy as they make up their mind to be."

Happiness is a choice! What are you going to choose?