I am happy to say that I woke up this morning. It was a good day. Minimal coughing, only a few joints ached and no fatigue.
I have finished a positive thinking course that was gifted to me for my birthday this past year. It has taken me 4 months. But, it is complete. What does that have to do with anything? Well…almost everything.
I have spent the last few years struggling with everything (from my minds eye). Disabled mentally ill husband, mentally ill child, finances, expensive prescriptions, mean medical supply companies, aches, pains, coughing, choking, car problems and on it goes. Some of it you know from my previous posts.
This course is about being positive; putting positive thoughts into the air and reaping their benefits. I always thought I was positive until I took this course. Looking back over the last few years, I believe I was positive somewhat; but more determined to survive than anything else.
This course reminded me to be grateful. I have been keeping a grateful journal for over 4 months now. Each day I write 5 things I am grateful for shortly after getting up in the morning. It can be anything from your eyes, yarn, medications, tile, grout, wheels, tires, gas, etc. Anything and everything can be included. I do not limit myself. I have even been grateful for some yucky things like mosquitos. God made everything. We should be thankful for it all. I have even caught myself writing 6 things instead of 5.
Prayer needs to be constant and specific. God wants to give us our desires. (Sometimes He says NO.)
This course taught me to speak more positive. Avoid negative talk. It hurts you and those around you. It even explained to me why I shutdown after a batch of uncontrolled negativity (whether from myself, family or work). It has helped me to understand why I love crafts and volunteering so much. Due to the positivity influence, I have adjusted the atmosphere in my office to be more calming.
I started focusing on a short term goal and a couple of long term goals with deadlines. Happily, the short term goal has already been met. Not by my deadline, but shortly thereafter by God. I couldn’t have asked for anything nicer.
So, stop, take a few minutes of your day and …..
- Write a few things daily you are grateful for, no matter how silly.
- Set goals in writing, be specific and have deadlines.
- Be willing to restructure goals if deadlines are not met. Maybe God is saying “Not Yet” or “No” to the goal.
- Have a couple Goals for each area of your life; career, health, finances, relationships, personal
- Think about how you think, speak and react. Try to change it to be more uplifting.
- Take the time to recharge yourself with positive energy by praying, meditating on God’s word, listening to beautiful music, work on a craft/hobby or just take a nap.
My next long term goal is to take a trip to Hawaii in the next couple of years with my sister.
There is a saying that keeps running around in my head from a previous pastor, “What is the difference between a rut and a grave? 6 Feet.” You can always find a way out of rut if you choose to. A grave is permanent.
Another is from Mary Kay Ash, “You can eat an elephant one bite at a time.”
It is okay to survive. Just remember to live while surviving. Be grateful for all God has given you.