Complaining vs Problem Solving

I have noticed that when I complain it kills all the creative juices that could and should go into problem solving. If I can see a problem, the best use of my energy is to figure out what I can do to fix it. Complaining is really giving my power away to someone or something else that I can't control. It is okay to recognize and acknowledge that there is a problem but then instead of just complaining, problem solving, however, gives me a creative outlet that ultimately gives me more satisfaction because I discover, just like He Man said, "I HAVE THE POWER!" If you or your kids didn't watch the He Man cartoons then you have no idea what I am talking about. If you did then you know who Skeletor is.

Less is More

I found this great picture and caption. It goes along so well with what I have been realizing about sometimes having too much or thinking that more is better.

Powerful Words

There are things that I say to myself that energize me and there are things that I say that block me. Even just saying or thinking that I am frustrated makes me feel even more frustrated. The same with berating myself for being undisciplined. It doesn't make me want to be better, in fact, it supports an unhealthy belief that keeps me doing exactly what I am doing to make my beliefs and my words true.

Instead of saying I am undisciplined or saying that I failed again, I will say I am learning and growing. I really know that each mistake or set back is just another opportunity to learn and do better. It is not what I am. I am capable of more and that belief will propel me.

I can do hard things

I come to realize weird things about myself all the time. I realize that I can do hard things, in fact, I think I actually like to do hard things. Take my statistics class for example. I love it. It has been stressful trying to figure out the online statistics program that I have to do assignments on but then realize how good it feels when I can achieve something that is hard for me.

With all of this said, I also realize that I need to be careful that I don't want to do hard things enough so that I will subconsciously create something hard so that I can in fact do hard things. I do want to set goals for myself that will be hard but I don't want to have events in my life that will be hard just because I am bored and need a challenge. I will consciously create proactive challenges instead of allowing difficulties to come that I have to react in order to fill that need to do hard things.

Benefit of Pinterest

I've discovered a great benefit to Pinterest. It is a lot like window shopping. I get to enjoy looking at things without having to purchase or even actually do it. I love looking at the ideas thinking what a great idea it is and then move on feeling as though I have experienced it for myself. Of course there will be some things I might actually want to do, but honestly I can feel like I have already received enough enjoyment out of it. I even might just print the pictures of great ideas and put the picture on the table the next time I host a party to show what I could have done. I even wonder if I can gain weight just looking at the dessert ideas.

It is the Little Things

Greater awareness opens the door to seeing all the joy in the little things.
The great feeling after unloading at the D.I.
The sense of contentment realizing I can see something really cool in a store and know I don't have to own it, dust it, store it, and later take it to the D.I.
Grandkids who get so excited and run and hug me when they see me. (wait, that is in the category of a big thing)
Sliding in between newly washed sheets.
Figuring out how to work a statistics program in school.
Running up the stairs and just being grateful I can.
Feeling utter peace as I stop and take a deep cleansing breath.
Opening the refrigerator and realizing there is a container from a restaurant to eat for lunch. (I actually eat what is inside the container and not the container, in case you're wondering)
Driving up my street with a gorgeous view of the majestic mountains.
Working in the kitchen and catching a glimpse of a breathtaking sunset.
Having a scripture or a thought randomly show up just when I need it and just knowing things in my life are orchestrated for my good if I take time to notice.
Realizing that the things I learn in school are just what I needed to know.
Getting a little message in my head that tells me to bite my tongue. (Once again, a big thing for those who know me!)
Having a cute little gratitude app on my phone where I can write something I am grateful for and add a picture.
Another deep cleansing breath knowing I am on the right track being more aware and more grateful.

I've Been Tricked

I finally get it. I've been tricked into thinking that buying or having more stuff means I have arrived. Even having too much food in the refrigerator can be almost as difficult as having too little. Goldilocks had it figured out. The fable really isn't about breaking and entering, it is about a healthy place in the middle--not too hot or too cold, not too hard or too soft, not too little or too big, It is finding "just right."