Did you realize that your attitude is a choice? Did you realize that your attitude not only affects you but others as well?
When I first began to really understand that concept it hit me hard. I have always been the compassionate one (which is a good thing if handled right) towards others but what I thought was "encouraging & sympathizing" was really just allowing them to make negative points out of their circumstances instead of feeding them positive words. I would just feel sorry for others & allow them to vent to me...If they told me during a workout that they "can't" I would allow it or even just allow them to stay negative in general.. never did I realize the affect it was having on them & myself. I began to allow my own circumstances to control my life & almost felt sorry for myself... I would allow the fact that Jeremy is away on a road trip or the fact that I messed up our checking account... or dirty dishes.. or being behind in my workout routine...or my plans getting changed when it was out of my control cause me to become "negative nancy"... Really? How embarrassing once I was aware of my actions! I began to understand what it means to speak life into other people & into myself. I learned that my circumstances do not have to control the way I live my life. Keith Kochner says to stop looking at your circumstances & start looking through them. My whole attitude changed. I chose to handle things differently. Now don't get me wrong... I have not perfected this quite yet. Its a daily thing & I think always will be for all of us. However, if we are aware of our actions we can fix them & start over... daily. Do you let the fact that maybe you haven't truly worked out in many years stop you from doing it today & cause you to get down? Do you let your busy schedule be your excuse & cause you to resent others who are just as busy & fit? When you wake up in the morning what do you tell yourself? Do you think before you speak? Better yet, what is the mood in your house in the mornings? Your kids are watching you. If you are like most families the mornings can be hectic & stressful.... but do you let the rushed morning control your attitude & how you speak to others? Or do you take your circumstance for what it is & tell yourself you are CHOOSING to have a good day no matter what & pressing on & through whatever circumstance is thrown your way? I hope this week you choose to have a good attitude & that it is contagious to your family, friends, & co-workers! Tomorrow is Monday so decide NOW that it will be a MAGNIFICENT MONDAY :)
Physical note: Stretch 20 minutes/day. Go here for 6 reasons to stretch daily:
http://www.coreperformance.com/daily/one-small-change/6-reasons-to-stretch-daily.html
Nutritional note: Start out by drinking 8 glasses of water this week. (this does not include pop (my cali friends call it soda), tea, juice, or anything else. WATER :)
Spiritual note: I am taking the challenge to only speak positive words to myself & to others this week! Be aware of the stories you are telling yourself... & if you start to say something negative tell yourself this, "Cancel, cancel, cancel!" & then turn the negative thought to something positive!
*say this verse out loud when you begin to have a negative attitude...
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:7
Encouraged reading: Ephesians 6:10-18
No comments:
Post a Comment