Finally the kids are in the car your daughter puts in headphones and avoids all communication with you because the last thing she wants is to send you off the deep end. Your son begs and cry's for a DVD to be playing on your short 15 minutes drive. Because he to is a creature of habit and being that most mornings end up this way its always been easier for you to just distract him then listen to him. Finally the kids are off to school and you decide coffee made by someone else will taste better and you stop into the Starbucks on the corner. To add to your already frustrated mood you encounter a woman screaming at you and giving you what appears to be the middle finger as you inch your way into the drive-thru. You can't believe the nerve of some people you were clearly there first. So you decide the only thing to do is scream and send your finger flying.
On and on this day goes with this spinning cycle of attitude, irritation and high blood pressure.
Look familiar?
Frustration breeds frustration. irritability breeds irritability. Anxiety you guessed it breeds anxiety. Worry, worry. Sorrow, sorrow. Gratitude, gratitude and so on and so on. When we let even the smallest event trigger in us anything but gratitude we lose. The people around us lose. The day that I described above could have turned out entirely different.
You wake up and catch a glimpse of your beautiful self in the mirror, smile and laugh at the fact that you will be in the gym for the next month working off those 10 extra pounds. You continue to make the coffee and when your favorite mug hits the floor rather than getting upset you remember the gift card you got for Christmas and decide its time to buy a new one anyway. Your still happy and wake your kids up with a smile which in turn makes for a smooth and easy morning of getting ready to walk out the door. Your kids actually want to talk to you because your happy and not frustrated. You spend your morning drive in conversation with your kids and as your son reminds you of how excited he is to find out the position he will be playing for his football team you share in his excitement and are grateful that he is healthy and active and can enjoy sports. Your youngest is happy in the backseat because he sees you happy and rather than get more frustrated when he throws his fit about the DVD player you encourage he sing the ABC's and you guessed it. You actually make it fun because your not focused on the upsetting events of the early morning. Now on to that coffee stop to indulge in some fresh brewed coffee so that you can move into your morning, afternoon transition with ease. And there she is out of the blue middle finger flying. You graciously smile and allow her to go first regardless the fact that you were clearly waiting in line. But because you are patient and happily going about your day, you see that this kind gesture will have little to no effect on your day but could in fact mean the world of difference in hers. To your surprise you get up to the window and are informed the car in front of you has paid for your order. and it all worked out, because your suddenly realize you forgot your wallet. And all is right in the world.
Can you see the difference in these two stories. Each description had the exact same events only the outcomes were different. Why? Gratitude and attitude. The way we perceive things can change our day in the ways we are all searching for. The moral here is to find gratitude in EVERYTHING, no matter what situation comes your way.
Today I will be starting a gratitude journal. I started by making this gratitude wheel.
My goal is to list 5 things everyday that I am thankful for. It is time to retrain my brain to be grateful and positive in all things. Romans 8:28 says, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
We hear all the time how important it is as Christians to think and live as Jesus did. Hence the popular saying, "What would Jesus Do?" I am willing to purposefully attempt to do jut that. Live and react like Jesus, with courage, patience and in an unselfish manner.
On and on this day goes with this spinning cycle of attitude, irritation and high blood pressure.
Look familiar?
Frustration breeds frustration. irritability breeds irritability. Anxiety you guessed it breeds anxiety. Worry, worry. Sorrow, sorrow. Gratitude, gratitude and so on and so on. When we let even the smallest event trigger in us anything but gratitude we lose. The people around us lose. The day that I described above could have turned out entirely different.
You wake up and catch a glimpse of your beautiful self in the mirror, smile and laugh at the fact that you will be in the gym for the next month working off those 10 extra pounds. You continue to make the coffee and when your favorite mug hits the floor rather than getting upset you remember the gift card you got for Christmas and decide its time to buy a new one anyway. Your still happy and wake your kids up with a smile which in turn makes for a smooth and easy morning of getting ready to walk out the door. Your kids actually want to talk to you because your happy and not frustrated. You spend your morning drive in conversation with your kids and as your son reminds you of how excited he is to find out the position he will be playing for his football team you share in his excitement and are grateful that he is healthy and active and can enjoy sports. Your youngest is happy in the backseat because he sees you happy and rather than get more frustrated when he throws his fit about the DVD player you encourage he sing the ABC's and you guessed it. You actually make it fun because your not focused on the upsetting events of the early morning. Now on to that coffee stop to indulge in some fresh brewed coffee so that you can move into your morning, afternoon transition with ease. And there she is out of the blue middle finger flying. You graciously smile and allow her to go first regardless the fact that you were clearly waiting in line. But because you are patient and happily going about your day, you see that this kind gesture will have little to no effect on your day but could in fact mean the world of difference in hers. To your surprise you get up to the window and are informed the car in front of you has paid for your order. and it all worked out, because your suddenly realize you forgot your wallet. And all is right in the world.
Can you see the difference in these two stories. Each description had the exact same events only the outcomes were different. Why? Gratitude and attitude. The way we perceive things can change our day in the ways we are all searching for. The moral here is to find gratitude in EVERYTHING, no matter what situation comes your way.
Today I will be starting a gratitude journal. I started by making this gratitude wheel.
We hear all the time how important it is as Christians to think and live as Jesus did. Hence the popular saying, "What would Jesus Do?" I am willing to purposefully attempt to do jut that. Live and react like Jesus, with courage, patience and in an unselfish manner.
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