A Positive Start To Your Day
“Mama, I tried something new!” my 18 year old daughter exclaimed.
“Oh yea, what’s that?” I inquired.
“I decided to stop being so negative all the time,” she replied.
I stopped what I was doing and turned to give her my full attention as I said, “Oh …”
“Yea, see, I used to be so negative always complaining on Twitter and other social media, like, when I had to go to school or something. I would say ‘Ugh!’ and other negative things,” she explained.
“I see, and …” I prompted for her to continue.
“Now, I try to be more positive. It was work at first, but people are noticing. People have commented about how I seem happier these days and more positive,” she said.
“And how does that make you feel that you’ve been impacting others in a good way?” I asked.
“It feels GREAT! I’m going to try really hard to be more positive in what I say and in what I write,” she said.
“Good job!” I exclaimed as I gave her a high five.
********
Yes, this exchange really did happen just recently with my now-adult-daughter. She is finally “getting” what I have been saying all of this time. It does matter how you start your day! It does matter what you say, too!
Have you tried it?
What if we just take the rest of the month – only a couple of more days left in January – and focus on ONLY positives. How do you think that would affect you, and others, to have a positive start to your day? Then, throughout the rest of the day, when you feel like complaining, instead find something positive to focus on.
It’s something to think about and certainly worth trying!
Who’s in? I know my daughter and I are!
Know Your Worth And Value
*The theme lately has been that of choosing joy! It is so important to hold on to that joy and happiness in your heart. I realize that it is sometimes hard to do, especially when people are pushing your buttons.
What I’d like you to accept is that your worth and value does not and will not come from the approval of others. If that is how you have been functioning in life, is it any wonder that you often times feel defeated, depressed, and as if you can do nothing right?!
For every one person that is picking you apart, I wish there were four more that would come alongside you to encourage you. While that will not always happen, it is important to know your worth and value so that these people and these situations do not tear you down and leave you in a pit of despair.
If you’ve gotten into “people pleasing,” that is the fastest way to make yourself unhappy. In all of my years, I have learned that it is simply impossible to make everyone happy. There will be those that LOVE your decisions and the way you’re living your life, and there will be those that can’t wait to voice their opinion or look down their noses at you as if they are better than you. You know what? They aren’t!
This is when you really need to look to scripture and let it all soak into every fiber of your being. When in doubt, here are just a few verses to refer to:
Psalm 139:13-14 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Song of Solomon 4:1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful!
Your eyes are doves behind your veil.
Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
And not one of them is forgotten before God.
Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
As if that wasn’t enough to convince you, think of how God sent His one and only son to die on the cross for you and I. Jesus bore all of our sins so that we may have eternal life if we only believe in Him and ask Him into our hearts. Now THAT, my friend, is how much you were worth to our Lord and Savior that He would lay down His life for you.
Be discouraged no more. Instead, be reassured of your worth and value, especially in the eyes of God.
|
|
Miss Grumpy Pants
Yep, that’s what I’ll call her.
Miss Grumpy Pants.
If I based my self worth on what she says to me on a daily basis, I would have none. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
The things she says to me are quite often laced with a condescending tone and accusatory in nature.
It’s like, at the end of the day, she thinks there will be an award given to the one that grumps the most.
My point in this post is NOT to pick her apart. Instead, I wish to point out how people of this world will say harsh things to you, and, often times, about you as well. Yet, it is up to you as to how you will allow this to affect you. In the past, I would immediately take offense to this. Now, though, I feel I have grown due to all I’ve been through and can choose whether to take offense or not.
Yes, it is a choice.
Sure, I could fly off the handle and let my anger get the best of me as I yelled at her “always accusing me … always nagging.” OR, I can keep my composure, look her directly in the eyes, and nicely state my case.
The best part is next!
It’s where I let it go right after I’ve said what I needed to say about why I did this or that the way that I chose to do it. And in letting go, I hold on to the happiness that was already in my heart to begin with.
You see, I did NOT let her steal my joy!
Yea me!!!!
Most days, this is how I conduct business now.
And there is such freedom in letting the small stuff go.
Find your freedom today!
Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
