Change Your Mindset - Experience Hope

This poster, which someone posted to Facebook last year, is a great reminder to think about how we talk about life as it happens to us or around us.  Do you, like I, sometimes catch yourself feeling as though there is no end to the troubles or no way you can accomplish something?  Have you ever been stuck in any of the feelings on the white squares?  I know I have, sometimes for several days at a time. If you are anything like me, those feelings and words are energy draining.   

So, what do I do? I look around me for the good. It is always there, waiting for me to acknowledge that hope exists.  Then I, as this suggests, change the words I use.  In my experience you can't describe something good in a negative way.   Once I find something good in the circumstances, hope seems to expand to crowd out the negative and gratitude soon follows  

Would you mind if I share a few examples? Thank you.    

• I don't understand why my daughter must be sick so much, it doesn't seem fair.  On the other side, isn't it wonderful that she is here as an extra source of love for other family members?
• I give up.  My books aren't selling as I want. I can't write consistently because family circumstances keep getting in the way. However, writing feels exciting. Writing is one way I can reach out to others and offer encouragement. If my words touch one person to make their day a little better my efforts are of worth.  
• I can't make this any better.  Maybe I can't today and that is okay.  If I stop, for a moment and reflect, I recognize that what I have is already of value, already good.  If it weren't I wouldn't care about changing it. The good in the moment is the belief that change is possible. 
• I'm not good at this. Really? Not good or didn't I get the result I expected.  The good is I tried and learned. I may have learned something new or I may have learned something about myself, my wants, needs or feelings.  So maybe I wasn't as good as someone else in this subject or project, but I am good at learning, and can now make an informed choice whether to continue or try something else. 

I hope you will take a few moments to think about how your words affect you and how you can change how you use words.  Challenge yourself to change your mindset from negative to positive, from limiting to encouragement.   Let me know how it works for you. 

 

 I love this poster I found on Facebook. It hit home with me because I learned a long time ago that this is the best way for me to live my life. Others may disagree with me, but I share with hope it will make a difference for you. 

For me, challenges come frequently. Most days I have no idea what the day will bring or the mood of the people in my life. Many days, just making it to the end of the day can be a challenge in itself.

One thing I have learned to do is look for the good in the day or a moment. I seldom fail when looking, at the end of the day, to find a moment I can smile about. The older child had a difficult day, full of hateful words, frustration and chaos, but between these times of trial, there was a smile when she won a game or a smile when she ate a popsicle.    The younger child may have cried about nearly everything that happened, but I remember the laughter when the "Tickle Monster" threatened to find a smile inside. Yes, the day was full of interruptions and unplanned family needs, but among the needs fulfilled there was a chance to make a difference, change a mind, give encouragement, and offer a special act of love.  Perhaps I didn't get all the work done I had planned, but I did call a friend, sent a letter to a client, researched a question and attended a writing workshop.   

Today I challenge you to live only for today. No matter how your day ends, take a moment, and find a positive thought to end the day with. Look for a single moment that was worth remembering. For some, it may be just recognizing you got up today, brushed your hair, or took one more step today than yesterday.