Checking My Words and Attitude

As a parent, I ponder why it seems that I have more wisdom now that my children are grown up and out of the house? Wouldn’t it make sense that as a young mother, fresh out of college and career experiences that I would be a natural at managing little people, juggling a family schedule, and advancing my motherhood skills? My four little subjects were born between the years of 1995 and 2003, at the peak of my realization that I had embarked on a career I knew nothing about!

That career has been rewarding beyond any words; it challenged me, brought me to tears, and has given me a million big and proud smiles. My children’s ages are now 19, 22, 23, and 26. I also grew to know God on a deeper level like never before. I made many mistakes. And I did some things really well. But, when I faced moments of confusion, uncertainty, and frustration, my refuge was found in prayer.

This same kind of reliance on prayer and faith, trust, and hope in God has applied to not only parenting but also in my marriage, family and friend relationships, work, social injustices, hardships, and loss. When I start thinking about all these things, my head starts spinning. Do you feel that way, too? So, why worry? Why do we do that?

We use words to express complaints, self-doubt, stress, and feelings of hopelessness. Many years ago I learned how to use my words for good and for positive. It changed my outlook, but I had to re-teach my brain. Look at it like training for a sport. Fitness, coaching, diet, and discipline are some of the key components to reaching the desired goals.

When facing adversity, we may want to look at those same areas when seeking to develop a more positive approach.

Fitness – certain chemical levels of the brain change with exercise. Some great benefits include better sleep and mood, more energy, good outlet for frustrations and stress, not to mention the many physical benefits of a healthier heart and body. 1
Coaching – a field that offers a variety of types of life coaches can help improve life skills and behaviors, self-confidence, decision making, accountability and goal achievement. 2
Diet – eating healthy food promotes “good” bacteria growth in our gut, which positively affects the brain neurotransmitters, which reflects in our emotions. This is so cool! 3
Discipline – living a disciplined life takes effort for sure, but it also boosts self-esteem and confidence while focusing on the important things we want to strive for.

I sure wished I would have faced work and parenting challenges in a more positive way. Harboring negative junk in our minds and hearts isn’t healthy for us. It’s also hard to stop those habits. When things got really hard for me, I looked for help not only through prayer but also with professional counselors. People seem to have a healthier perspective when seeking help from outside sources. There was a time when seeing a counselor was something to keep hidden – even from family members. Counselors, therapists, psychiatrists, and life coaches are trained and skilled to guide and lead hurt people into living healthier and happier lives.

“The mind and body are not separate units, but one integrated system. How we act and what we think, eat, and feel are all related to our health.”

Bernie Siegel

The more I learn about training my mind to think positively, the stronger my belief becomes in myself and the hope of working through the difficulties in life that I face. At age 53, I’m starting to take better care of myself so I can be strong and healthy for my grandkids. I think I’m gonna be a pretty “smarter” grandma than I was a young momma. #gratefulforgrace

Mistakes are gifts to us when we use them as teachers.

May we be motivated to become P.P.D. ~ Positive People Daily!

Try thinking and speaking one positive thing every hour. Give it a try for three days and see how you feel.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Zig Ziglar

A Bible Verse my children knew well growing up, especially after saying something mean to their siblings: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Ephesians 4:29

1 – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-and-mental-health

2 – https://www.thebetterlifeproject.ie/blog/proven-benefits-of-life-coaching

3 – https://www.aetna.com/health-guide/food-affects-mental-health.html