I hate to say it, but this cup half full thing has been quite a challenge today. My spirited child wanted to test his mother all day to see if I could really see everything in a positive light. I have been trying to find a way to summarize my feelings about today in a positive light. This is my cup half full view of today; I am grateful I had a Heavenly Father I could turn to today during the moments I thought I couldn't go on; I am grateful for the strength and patience I received during those moments of prayer; I am grateful my family was able to end the night on a positive note and have family home evening together.
Tomorrow's challenge: stay positive
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Day 11: Cup Half Full
I have decided a goal, or good habit that I want to start working on daily is seeing the cup half full. We are all familiar with the saying, "seeing the cup half full". If a cup were sitting on the counter filled half way with water, one could either see the cup as half empty or half full.
8 1/2 years ago we lived across from the best neighbor. Our kids knew her as Ms. Julie. In the two years we lived by Ms. Julie, we noticed that she always, I mean always, had a smile on her face. No matter what situation she was facing in her life, she always faced it with a smile. I asked her how she was able to always be happy. She told me that life had not always been easy for her. She had been through a lot of difficult experiences. She use to always complain. One day she realized how much she complained about things. It was that moment that she made a conscience decision to never complain again and to always see the good in everything. This one decision made all the difference in her life.
In our two years of living by Ms. Julie, I never saw anything but a smile on her face, never heard her complain about any situation, or say an unkind word about anyone. I always felt good about myself and life when I was around Ms. Julie. She was a true example of one who continually saw the cup half full.
I grew to love Ms. Julie very much and always looked forward to seeing her. I am so thankful for Ms. Julie's example in my life.
Tomorrow's challenge: see the day as a cup half full
8 1/2 years ago we lived across from the best neighbor. Our kids knew her as Ms. Julie. In the two years we lived by Ms. Julie, we noticed that she always, I mean always, had a smile on her face. No matter what situation she was facing in her life, she always faced it with a smile. I asked her how she was able to always be happy. She told me that life had not always been easy for her. She had been through a lot of difficult experiences. She use to always complain. One day she realized how much she complained about things. It was that moment that she made a conscience decision to never complain again and to always see the good in everything. This one decision made all the difference in her life.
In our two years of living by Ms. Julie, I never saw anything but a smile on her face, never heard her complain about any situation, or say an unkind word about anyone. I always felt good about myself and life when I was around Ms. Julie. She was a true example of one who continually saw the cup half full.
I grew to love Ms. Julie very much and always looked forward to seeing her. I am so thankful for Ms. Julie's example in my life.
Tomorrow's challenge: see the day as a cup half full
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Day 10: Words of wisdom
Today's post is just some good old words of wisdom:
7 times: If you want to retain or remember something, you need to live it or teach it 7 times!
21 days in a row: If you want to change a habit, do it 21 days in a row and you will create a new habit!
Tomorrow's challenge: start day 1 of a good, new habit
7 times: If you want to retain or remember something, you need to live it or teach it 7 times!
21 days in a row: If you want to change a habit, do it 21 days in a row and you will create a new habit!
Tomorrow's challenge: start day 1 of a good, new habit
Friday, February 4, 2011
Day 9: The magic of humility
So I took my own advice and put into practice my post yesterday. I had such great insights in my scripture study during the wee hours of the morning today. My study took me to a word that I really haven't valued in the past as much as I should have. I have always studied much about and tried to emulate, "faith, hope and charity", but have never truly studied in depth the word humility. After today, I have a whole new outlook on the word humility and the importance of being a humble person.
In Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie states: "All progress in spiritual things is conditioned upon the prior attainment of humility. We are commanded to be humble. Humility must accompany repentance to qualify a person for baptism; it is required of all engaged in gospel service; is an essential attribute for all who embark in the service of God; precedes the acquiring of wisdom from the Spirit; is needed to qualify the righteous to see God and without it no one can gain entrance to the kingdom of God hereafter." WOW!! I never knew the importance of humility.
In Mosiah 4:11, King Benjamin teaches: "I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
Then he states the blessing of doing the above:
"And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true." Mosiah 4:12
I want those blessings!! As I strive to be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and neighbor, I have come to realize that I must be a woman of humility. Without humility, I will not succeed!
Tomorrow's challenge: begin my journey to deep humility
In Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie states: "All progress in spiritual things is conditioned upon the prior attainment of humility. We are commanded to be humble. Humility must accompany repentance to qualify a person for baptism; it is required of all engaged in gospel service; is an essential attribute for all who embark in the service of God; precedes the acquiring of wisdom from the Spirit; is needed to qualify the righteous to see God and without it no one can gain entrance to the kingdom of God hereafter." WOW!! I never knew the importance of humility.
In Mosiah 4:11, King Benjamin teaches: "I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
Then he states the blessing of doing the above:
"And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true." Mosiah 4:12
I want those blessings!! As I strive to be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and neighbor, I have come to realize that I must be a woman of humility. Without humility, I will not succeed!
Tomorrow's challenge: begin my journey to deep humility
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Day 8: Making scripture study more edifying and effective
I read a great talk by Elder Bednar suggesting 5 principles that will help make scripture study more edifying and effective. He states:
1- Pray for understanding and invite the help of the Holy Ghost
"The things of the Spirit can be learned only by and through the influence of the Spirit. Each time we begin a session of sincere scripture study, an earnest and humble prayer in which we petition our Heavenly Father in the name of his Son for the assistance of the Holy Ghost will greatly improve our learning, understanding, and recall."
2- Work!
"Gospel knowledge and understanding come through diligent study of the scriptures and tutoring by the Holy Ghost. The combination that opens the vault door to hidden scriptural treasures includes a great deal of work-simple, old-fashioned, hard work."
3- Be consistent
"Given the hectic pace of our lives, good intentions and simply "hoping" to find the time for meaningful scripture study are not sufficient...specific and scheduled time set aside each day increase the effectiveness of our searching in and study of the scriptures."
4- Ponder
"Asking questions about and pondering the things we have studied in the scriptures invite inspiration and the assistance of the Holy Ghost."
5- Write down impressions, thoughts, and feelings
"Writing down what we learn, think, and feel as we study the scriptures is another form of pondering and a powerful invitation to the Holy Ghost for continuing instruction." Bednar refers to a quote by Elder Richard G. Scott, "You will find that as you write down precious impressions, often more will come. Also, the knowledge you gain will be available throughout your life."
Tomorrow's challenge: apply the 5 principles to my scripture study
1- Pray for understanding and invite the help of the Holy Ghost
"The things of the Spirit can be learned only by and through the influence of the Spirit. Each time we begin a session of sincere scripture study, an earnest and humble prayer in which we petition our Heavenly Father in the name of his Son for the assistance of the Holy Ghost will greatly improve our learning, understanding, and recall."
2- Work!
"Gospel knowledge and understanding come through diligent study of the scriptures and tutoring by the Holy Ghost. The combination that opens the vault door to hidden scriptural treasures includes a great deal of work-simple, old-fashioned, hard work."
3- Be consistent
"Given the hectic pace of our lives, good intentions and simply "hoping" to find the time for meaningful scripture study are not sufficient...specific and scheduled time set aside each day increase the effectiveness of our searching in and study of the scriptures."
4- Ponder
"Asking questions about and pondering the things we have studied in the scriptures invite inspiration and the assistance of the Holy Ghost."
5- Write down impressions, thoughts, and feelings
"Writing down what we learn, think, and feel as we study the scriptures is another form of pondering and a powerful invitation to the Holy Ghost for continuing instruction." Bednar refers to a quote by Elder Richard G. Scott, "You will find that as you write down precious impressions, often more will come. Also, the knowledge you gain will be available throughout your life."
Tomorrow's challenge: apply the 5 principles to my scripture study
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 7: Courage
“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."
I love this quote. I don't know the author. I will probably post it many a time because it's message tugs at my heart so strongly. The word courage means so much to me. Today has been one of those days where I take this quote to heart. Sometimes we just need to say, "I will try again tomorrow."
Tomorrow's challenge: face the day with more courage
I love this quote. I don't know the author. I will probably post it many a time because it's message tugs at my heart so strongly. The word courage means so much to me. Today has been one of those days where I take this quote to heart. Sometimes we just need to say, "I will try again tomorrow."
Tomorrow's challenge: face the day with more courage
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Day 6: Ice day
Hurray for ice day!! Today in our little part of the world we woke up to a sheet of ice covering the deck, sidewalk, driveway, roads, trees, you name it. I would say it looked like a homemade ice-skating rink. Businesses and schools were closed. The kids didn't have to go to school and my husband didn't have to go to work. We all started out the day in great spirits.
Well, it didn't take long into the morning for a change of mood as the kids started teasing each other, complaining about doing their daily chores, fighting me about getting their piano practicing done, this kid hitting that kid, kids running around chasing each other, and kids crying. I began to rethink the joy I had at first about spending the day as a family.
Before I knew it, I was getting on this kid for this, and that kid for that, and was repeating the same lecturing advice over and over to each child. I had let them get to me and I was so frustrated with the way they were behaving. The morning had gone sour. That peaceful, happy feeling we all woke up with was visibly gone. Then my beat up cycle began, as the guilt overcame me and I started feeling like a failure in the way I had responded to my children that morning. I thought, "How is it that I am 35 years old and I respond to my kids like I am 15 and don't know better??? Why is it I let myself get so upset over the things they do."
I needed my shower time (see previous post :) to digest all that had gone on. As I sat in that hot shower, I reflected on what my kids had really done that morning and what I could have done differently. After thinking about it, they really hadn't done anything terrible (they are kids), in fact, they were pretty obedient kids. The thought came to me, that the morning had gone sour because of the way I responded to them, due to an unreal expectation, not specifically because of what they had done. I was expecting them to act like responsible adults instead of growing kids. And when that didn't happen, I got upset. Boy, did I need to take a chill pill.
That I did. I decided to remedy the day with some family time, eating popcorn, drinking hot chocolate and playing games. It was a lot of fun. It ended up being a great day.
I learned today that for me to be a better mother, I need to make sure I don't create, "unreal expectations" for my kids. They are only kids and pretty darn good kids at that!
Tomorrow's challenge: don't set unrealistic expectations
Well, it didn't take long into the morning for a change of mood as the kids started teasing each other, complaining about doing their daily chores, fighting me about getting their piano practicing done, this kid hitting that kid, kids running around chasing each other, and kids crying. I began to rethink the joy I had at first about spending the day as a family.
Before I knew it, I was getting on this kid for this, and that kid for that, and was repeating the same lecturing advice over and over to each child. I had let them get to me and I was so frustrated with the way they were behaving. The morning had gone sour. That peaceful, happy feeling we all woke up with was visibly gone. Then my beat up cycle began, as the guilt overcame me and I started feeling like a failure in the way I had responded to my children that morning. I thought, "How is it that I am 35 years old and I respond to my kids like I am 15 and don't know better??? Why is it I let myself get so upset over the things they do."
I needed my shower time (see previous post :) to digest all that had gone on. As I sat in that hot shower, I reflected on what my kids had really done that morning and what I could have done differently. After thinking about it, they really hadn't done anything terrible (they are kids), in fact, they were pretty obedient kids. The thought came to me, that the morning had gone sour because of the way I responded to them, due to an unreal expectation, not specifically because of what they had done. I was expecting them to act like responsible adults instead of growing kids. And when that didn't happen, I got upset. Boy, did I need to take a chill pill.
That I did. I decided to remedy the day with some family time, eating popcorn, drinking hot chocolate and playing games. It was a lot of fun. It ended up being a great day.
I learned today that for me to be a better mother, I need to make sure I don't create, "unreal expectations" for my kids. They are only kids and pretty darn good kids at that!
Tomorrow's challenge: don't set unrealistic expectations
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