Week 6: Back to the basics...humility!!

Well as you can see, I have decided to post on a weekly basis instead of a daily basis from this point on.  Since starting this blog, I have enjoyed the time each day I have had to reflect on the day and look at the lessons I have learned and the things that I can work on to become a better person.


I am finding though, that I want more time to really focus on and put to practice more these little life lessons.  I have decided to give myself a whole week to work on a specific "life lesson moment", or "attribute" so that I may truly internalize it and make it more a part of me.  Because for me, that is the whole point of this journey.  Not to just write about a bunch of experiences, or favorite quotes every day, but to become a better person through putting to practice what I have learned.


So, my goal is to really focus that week on whatever thought, or life lesson, or attribute I was touched by and to truly study about it that week.  To think about it continually as I go about my daily life and to internalize it, so that maybe, it will start to become a part of me!!


With that in mind, this week I want to go back to that great word, humility!  I was really struck with what I learned on day 9 of my journey.  I truly believe that humility is one of the most important attributes we must internalize.


On the LDS.org website, humility is defined as:
"To be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to understand that we have constant need for His support. Humility is an acknowledgment that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; it is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous."


I love that it says we can be both humble and fearless; humble and courageous!  I think sometimes it takes courage to be humble.  If I were more humble, I know many of the daily heartaches and contention I experience would melt away.  I pray for more humility.  I look forward to the new week I have to study about and put into practice more humility in my life.  I know as I do so, more happiness will fill my soul.


This week's challenge: be humble in all things!

Day 30: Forgiveness

I learned a magical lesson on forgiveness.  My husband is one incredible example of one who constantly forgives others.  If I could only be half the person he is, I would be pretty great.  This year, as I am trying every day to become more like my Savior, I realize I need to be more forgiving, not only to others, but to myself included.  As we become more forgiving, our love and the joy of life increases.

Tomorrow's challenge:  don't forget to forgive!!  

Day 29: Attitude

Tonight our family watched, "Remember the Titans."  Great show!  One point in the movie the team captain comments to one of the other football players about his attitude, that " it was the worst attitude he had have ever seen".  The football player then comments back to the team captain, "Attitude reflects leadership, Captain."

That statement hit me.  I sat back and thought about it.  How many times have I gotten on my kids for doing, or saying something that reflected a bad attitude, but then thinking back, realized I had expressed ,at a previous time, the same bad attitude they did.  They were just following my example.

I was reminded today that I need to be ever mindful of the attitude and example I am setting for my kids every day.  I must set a good example of positive attitude first!

Tomorrow's challenge: have a positive attitude and example  

Day 28: The priceless gift of motherhood

Still sick today, so don't have a lot of energy to post, but I have done a lot of thinking.  I have learned today that motherhood is priceless.  Although it is the hardest job, by far, and there are days I wonder if I will make it, there are "moments of magic" through out the day that make every bit of the sacrifice worth it.

I learned today, that I was sent on this earth to be a mother and that motherhood is a privilege and a blessing.    Trials come, it is hard, but the intermittent moments of joy and love that come from this sacred calling outweigh it all.

Tomorrow's challenge:  enjoy the daily "moments of magic" 

Day 27: Grateful for the small things

I am sick today and feel like I can barely think, but as I look back today on what I have learned, it is to be grateful for the small things.  I am grateful for a soft bed to rest my body tonight.  It also has made me grateful for when I am of full health!!

Tomorrow's challenge:  1- get better and 2- treat my family with kindness even though I don't feel well!

Day 26: Criticizing will get ya nowhere!!

I am reading a great book.  It is "Behind Every Good Man" by John Bytheway.  Today I was reading about criticizm and how toxic it is.  He qoutes Dr. John L. Lund:

"The objective of those who give criticism is to change the one being criticized.  Often the critic is hopeful of a change of heart or an improved behavior.  Criticism is extremely toxic to the human spirit.  It is more likely to kill the deisre for change than it is to inspire it."


As my goal this year is to become a better wife and mother, I have thought back recently concerning my interactions with my husband and kids and noticed how much I actually criticize my husband and kids without realizing it.

John Bytheway gives some examples of ways we criticize without realizing we are doing it.  For example:

Correcting what he said:  "It was last Wednesday, not Thursday."


Questioning his judgement:  "Are you going to cook those eggs one at a time?"


Making unrealistic demands of his time and energy:  "After you rotate the tires and paint the shed, I want  you to listen to how my day was."


Or, 


Valuing others' needs over his:  Saying to a friend, "Oh, he's not too tired to come and pick you up and then take you back home after we have a nice visit."

Something to think about!!  I am definitely being more critical on a daily basis than I realize.

John Bytheway also gave this great example.  He said of himself, "When I'm tempted to think of things I wish my wife would do, I simply think of all the things I should be doing, and I'm suddenly very forgiving.  The critical spirit leaves, a spirit of humility returns, and my focus turns more inward."


There is that humility word again!  I love that example and I am going to try to follow it.

Tomorrow's challenge:  think before I speak!

Day 25: Today is a gift!!

"Today is a gift, that is why it is called the present!"


Tomorrow's challenge:  live in the moment and enjoy the gift of today!