This month, I have challenged myself to update my blog at least once a week. And yes…this is proving to be a challenge. It’s not easy to update frequently because well…life gets in the way. There’s always some job, circumstance or situation that requires my immediate attention. There’s constantly some need that I must address before I’m free to sit down and express myself. I have every reason NOT to write. I am a mom. I am a wife. I have a full time job. I am in private practice. I’m enrolled in additional certification courses this semester…the house…the car, etc. I could go on and on affirming why I don’t or can’t, but this month I choose to do.
In my therapeutic relationships I’m constantly assisting my clients in the exploration of their attitudes and self-talk. As a facilitator it is my job to remind them how imperative it is that we force ourselves to take inventory of the messages that we are nourishing our minds with. When we believe that we can’t…we won’t.
In preparation for updating today’s blog I decided to practice a coaching lesion on myself. I did a self-talk reflection exercise. I went through my day hour by hour and recorded what activities I participated in. In addition to what I did, I wrote down how I felt and what I said. My day went something like this:
6 a.m. I woke up. I felt exhausted. I said, “Oh God I’m tired.”
7:10 a.m. Took my daughter to school. I felt rushed. She missed the bus. I said, “Whew, It’s going to be a long day.”
10 a.m. Staff meeting. I felt like my time was being wasted. I whispered to a co-worker that I could feel my brain cells dying. She laughed and totally agreed.
Half the day had gone past before I realized how negative I was being and how that negativity was affecting my productivity. My statements were simply affirming my situation and were not serving to create positive in my life. So I stopped. Just like that. I stopped and just like that I changed my self-talk. And now I feel better about my day AND I have updated my blog!
We all need support and a gentle reminder from time to time. Now…what are you telling yourself? What messages are you feeding your soul? If the saying it true that thoughts become things, what will you be tomorrow?
Great post. I will read your posts frequently. Added you to the RSS reader.
Comment by Randy Pena — December 14, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
I can related to your blog. I am in constant reminder that, “I am what I think I am.” The world will tell me everything negative and I could quite possibly fall victim to this. It has been said that attitude determines one’s altitude. I believe it whole-heartedly, even in my day to day activities. If I continue to tell myself that a paper is going to be a difficult one, then I will struggle through it. But when I change my perception and speak good about it, such as…’this paper is going to require more of me, but I am more than capable of getting it done’, I release the negative, take control, and allow my positive thinking in.
With that being said, we must take control of our thinking skills. Flush out the negative affirmations and pour in the positive. It may even sound ridiculos at first, but it will manifest into joy and a positive attitude.
For example, I woke up one morning feeling very moody, thinking negatively I said, “If anyone says anything out of the way to me today, I am going to tell them off because today I feel like crap!” I thought about that. Turned that thought around into a positive statement. “I’m not feeling too good today, but I can still be a friend, a confidant, productive and loving. Today, I will allow God to manifest Himself in me because I may mess up and hurt someone. Today will be a good day for me and everyone I talk to and interact with.
Comment by Jamayca Mize — December 15, 2009 @ 9:51 am
I keep telling myself that I’m tired. I’m lonely. I’m bored. I even said aloud that I hated my life simply because my phone wasn’t functioning. Considering that I have persevered through so much and have a wonderful daughter and have excelled at school and reaching young people constantly, why would I act so ungratefully for the life that God has given me. It’s just a matter of perspective and I can see clearly now thanks to your simple reminder.
Also, I am constantly holding on to perceived infractions or whatever from the PAST. It holds me back and I am willing to let go without feeling stepped on – all I can do is realize that people are still learning too. I know that I am. When I was listening to the news about this mother that has disappeared, people were reflecting about what kind of character this woman had and how she was an exceptional and generous person. Hmmm…I rather cynically wondered what people would say about me? Now, I know that that’s not something that should be so easily dismissed. What do my thoughts reflect about my character. Because I too believe that thoughts become things. And I don’t want people thinking that I’m a negative, ungrateful person. So, here’s to starting fresh – in the middle of the day and BEFORE the new year arrives!
Comment by Eleho Temuru — December 15, 2009 @ 12:47 pm