Whoo Hoo! I have made myself a little busy and have been saying "I need to update, I need to update" every night for the last 2 weeks. Funny, then, that this chapter and this first Power Thought is exactly what I needed at this time. Isn't it amazing how the Lord works?!
Let's get right into it since there are 11 more Power Thoughts and this is the reason for this blog. We are to meditate on each Power Thought for a week. I will update mid-week for each Power Thought. Check in with yourselves, too, to see where you are at.
#1 I CAN DO WHATEVER I NEED TO DO IN LIFE THROUGH CHRIST
What in your life do you need to begin to believe you can do?
Be successful in all things. Mothering my two beautiful girls, working, my new venture with Thirty-One gifts, a Children's Writer course that I am currently taking, keeping everyone healthy and happy while still taking care of myself. I long to finish something. I long to embrace success. I never have and have accepted my life "as-is", dents and all. When I was younger (not that long ago!) I was terrified of marriage and becoming a mother with a mini-van. To me that life was the equivalent of death. Not physical death, but a death of dreams, of individuality, of existing. Well, surprise, surprise, I am there and I am not dead! The van has actually come in handy and I am still searching for my purpose in the wee hours of the evening when everyone decides to sleep at the same time. I am still searching for success in all things. I am sure if I looked hard enough, I would find a few things that I have done, but I do not feel that I am finished, that perhaps this life is an accomplishment in itself.
Do This: How often do you say "This is too hard for me?" or "I can't do this?"
My answer: Occasionally
What will you begin to say to reflect your confidence in God's ability to help you do what you need to do?
I CAN do what I NEED to do through Christ!
Complete this sentence: YES, I CAN
I can write and reach those that need to hear that they are not alone. I can shake off my fear and move forward, never regretting that I DIDN'T do something. Moving forward is frightening because it is not known to you what will happen. When you are afraid of what you don't know, pray. When you don't know what to do next, pray harder. I have learned a lot about patience. I have said over and over that I have prayed for patience all my life and God gave me children! He will continue to do this in your life. He is not a genie and will not grant all of you wishes simply to do it. You still have to live your life for him once you get your "wish". We have faced many a challenge in our life in Idaho. From work, to babies, to financial crisis, to growing into adulthood (the not-so-fun part!), and through all of this we have prayed feverishly that our path will become clear. I am still struck with epiphanies daily about how our life is working for Him. At the Flogging Molly show last night it hit me~ Pete and I are the only constant in our lives. We have experienced unending transition in our lives, we all do, and we are what has not changed.
What box do you need to rock?
My previous thought pattern. I am learning through this Power Thoughts process that my negative thought pattern isn't just cliche negative thinking, it is a whole mindset that I am having to change. I feel the flourescent lights are slowly coming on in the warehouse of my brain. It begins with facing new worries and concerns with bright eyes, new eyes that I am still adjusting to.
Which "I can't" belief in your life do you need to exchange for an "I can"?
I CAN raise healthy, happy girls, I CAN be too amusing to my husband for him to find fulfillment elsewhere, I CAN trust, I CAN BE HAPPY, I CAN write what I need to write, I CAN be a successful Thirty-One consultant, I CAN exercise, I CAN go on and on and on!!!
How can you push through and overcome a particular obstacle in your life?
I am a broken record here, but I will state again that I CAN overcome the struggle that I have had since I held a gorgeous tiny being in my arms just after she hatched. As a family, we have struggled with the work/childcare vs. raising the family/not working/not bringing in a valid paycheck dilemna. We have charged forward with this on our shoulders. We have bent and tweaked our lives almost daily to facilitate us both working and being with the girls. It has not been easy, but we can overcome this with prayer and with time. Instead of crumbling under the weight of trying to find the perfect recipe for financial freedom and successful parenting, we can enjoy that we have made it this far in Lily's life and have somehow managed to stay in our house and have a fully stocked refridgerator!
What excuse do you use most? Will you determine today that you will stop making excuses and start believeing God gives you strength to do what you need to do?
I LOVE this question! My #1 excuse that I use all the time...."I'm Too Tired". Oh man, I have used this excuse to keep me from doing the dishes to writing in the girls' baby books. I used it 10 minutes ago when I discovered that I had writer's block for the first time since starting the Power Shower, I use it when I am at work sifting through grants accounting that I just don't understand, I use it when Lily wants me to play with her, I use it when I think about popping in a work-out DVD. I WILL STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What have you been wanting or needing to do that you haven't done yet because even the thought of it overwhelmed you?
Right now? I have to write a 500 word story and it is terrifying me. I haven't written in Stella's baby book in months because I don't want her to know that she was super difficult for 6 months of her little life. This is all very petty I know, when most people are dealing with relationship troubles and grief and loss. I am very vocal when it comes to my pleasure or dissapointment with others, so maybe that helps in times like these.
In what specific situation do you need to believe that you are more than a conqueror?
Being a mom. I really want to kick ass at being a mom.
Moving forward, through sleepy eyes and crying babies, pulling myself out of complacency and reaching up to the Lord for strength and power. I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chapter 4: Purposeful thinking and the end of part 1
We are nearing the end of Chapter 4 and I am anxious to begin the 2nd half of Power Thoughts. The next portion details 12 Power Thoughts that will lead to positive, powerful thinking. I have already felt a shift in my thought process, whether it is because I am holding myself accountable by way of this blog, or because I am just now aware of HOW my mind and tendencies can work against me, or because the sun has decided to show itself, or because it is my birthday season.....Things are happening, though! I can feel it in my bones and I know that it is nothing that we are doing, but because we put our faith in God and are learning over and over again that we MUST trust that he is only working for the good in all of our lives.
So to begin.....
What are the most obvious ways your thoughts affect your mood? People/Situations I am negative about?
Obvious, I have a difficult time dealing with change. Even now, as we have closed a chapter of our lives in ending daycare, Pete's job change, and the decision to quit while we are ahead of the baby making game. All positive changes, but I am still leary and guarded. I will not allow myself the excitement that I had as a child when we would arrive in the parking lot of Disneyland. I know too much about salespeople and fear that Pete will become one of them. The Salesman did not get his reputation by mistake. I have worked in media sales and I know what it requires. It is the unknown and I have let it drown out my joy. Perhaps I should have never watched Mad Men. What are the chances that Pete will become Donald Draper? Slim, but I am always on guard. I need to enjoy this time and be supportive of this career change. It will take me a while to adjust, as per usual, having an "adjustment disorder"!!!
My personal definition of a Great Life?
When I am 80.....I will look back on this life while rocking on a porch swing with an old man Pete Stauffer looking out onto the Pacific Ocean from our condo balcony in Morro Bay reflecting on the gorgeous lives we have raised in our two girls. They will have grown into emotionally, spiritually, physically strong and confident women. They will be our life and our legacy. Our love will have been the glue that has held us all together, our faith; the light that envelops us.
Specific situations that I will apply principles of preparedness (in setting my mind)
I am a sponge. I absorb the emotional state of those that I am near. This has been the truth of my life from the very beginning. It is my special "talent", like a Twilight vampire, this is my "gift". As I have grown and learned more about myself and where I am most content, it is so clear why I am at peace when I am alone (or any form of alone that I can find in this circus that is my home!) It is possible that I lack the ability to create boundries. I will be prepared by knowing this and will work diligently to separate my emotional well-being from those that I am around, regardless of their situation. I am not kidding when I say that this realization has already CHANGED my life by learning that it so DEFINES my being, well-being, and ability to think positive.
In what areas of your life does my mind need to be renewed?
I must replace my reasons WHY with WHY NOT as a rule, not just right now, but always. I have been feeling great lately. I have been positive and feel renewed, a bit rested, and centered. I need to lose my fear that this will vanish. I have my guard up. I need to TRUST. In all things, I have learned that when I give it up completely, it works for the good. I need to have peace and not FEAR that I will die once I find it and let it absorb me completely.
Have I developed an ability to concentrate and focus or do you allow uninvited guests to get you off course?
Haha! This makes me laugh. We have had invited guests with us the last few weeks. Pete's parents made a trip, then my parents came to stay. In keeping this topic recent, I will just say that I have strayed from my desired course of reading, writing, and "wringing out my sponge". We have had a blast! That is for sure, but isn't a good time always the thing that has made me veer off my desired path? The goal for the rest of my life is going to be in learning to stay on the road while enduring the good times!
Attempting to develop an ability to focus and remain focused, which is one of my goals with this blog. Whether anyone reads it or not, I am going to finish Power Thoughts, the Power Shower blog, and will have worked it the whole way through. I am not going to give up because there is a party down the street! Not this time!
How can I work a 10 minute "think session" into my daily routine?
Waking up early or staying up late has been my "special alone time" and I love it. I just have to keep my tired eyes from slamming shut as I write. Coffee is the key to most things really. Writing is my "think session". I have to commit more fully to this purpose. Daily.
Good habits I need to develop in my life? How and when will I start?
This begins with my speech. You can learn a lot about a person by how they answer this question, "How are you?". What prompted my urgency to change was my perpetual response when answering this question, "(heavy sigh) I'm doing alright(sad eyes)." Who wants to continue that conversation? Like I was begging for sympathy or baiting anyone that asked to say, "Oh, what is wrong?" out of obligation. I'll be honest, I don't enjoy those conversations, regardless of what end of it I am on. Our words become our ways. If my words are positive, then my thoughts will follow as will my feelings. I will start this morning and again tomorrow morning and the morning after that! Habits are difficult to break, but this is of the utmost importance as I am losing interest in the monotony of negative thinking. It kind of takes all the fun and wonder out of living.
Amen! This completes part 1 of the journey. I am anxious to start on the 12 Power Thoughts that this book details in the second half. This first part laid the foundation to a new thought process. Let me know about your own journey! I have loved and appreciated all the comments and personal stories that you have shared with me. Thank you for reading! You have given me fuel to continue. May God bless you and your own journey to a happy, positive existence!
So to begin.....
What are the most obvious ways your thoughts affect your mood? People/Situations I am negative about?
Obvious, I have a difficult time dealing with change. Even now, as we have closed a chapter of our lives in ending daycare, Pete's job change, and the decision to quit while we are ahead of the baby making game. All positive changes, but I am still leary and guarded. I will not allow myself the excitement that I had as a child when we would arrive in the parking lot of Disneyland. I know too much about salespeople and fear that Pete will become one of them. The Salesman did not get his reputation by mistake. I have worked in media sales and I know what it requires. It is the unknown and I have let it drown out my joy. Perhaps I should have never watched Mad Men. What are the chances that Pete will become Donald Draper? Slim, but I am always on guard. I need to enjoy this time and be supportive of this career change. It will take me a while to adjust, as per usual, having an "adjustment disorder"!!!
My personal definition of a Great Life?
When I am 80.....I will look back on this life while rocking on a porch swing with an old man Pete Stauffer looking out onto the Pacific Ocean from our condo balcony in Morro Bay reflecting on the gorgeous lives we have raised in our two girls. They will have grown into emotionally, spiritually, physically strong and confident women. They will be our life and our legacy. Our love will have been the glue that has held us all together, our faith; the light that envelops us.
Specific situations that I will apply principles of preparedness (in setting my mind)
I am a sponge. I absorb the emotional state of those that I am near. This has been the truth of my life from the very beginning. It is my special "talent", like a Twilight vampire, this is my "gift". As I have grown and learned more about myself and where I am most content, it is so clear why I am at peace when I am alone (or any form of alone that I can find in this circus that is my home!) It is possible that I lack the ability to create boundries. I will be prepared by knowing this and will work diligently to separate my emotional well-being from those that I am around, regardless of their situation. I am not kidding when I say that this realization has already CHANGED my life by learning that it so DEFINES my being, well-being, and ability to think positive.
In what areas of your life does my mind need to be renewed?
I must replace my reasons WHY with WHY NOT as a rule, not just right now, but always. I have been feeling great lately. I have been positive and feel renewed, a bit rested, and centered. I need to lose my fear that this will vanish. I have my guard up. I need to TRUST. In all things, I have learned that when I give it up completely, it works for the good. I need to have peace and not FEAR that I will die once I find it and let it absorb me completely.
Have I developed an ability to concentrate and focus or do you allow uninvited guests to get you off course?
Haha! This makes me laugh. We have had invited guests with us the last few weeks. Pete's parents made a trip, then my parents came to stay. In keeping this topic recent, I will just say that I have strayed from my desired course of reading, writing, and "wringing out my sponge". We have had a blast! That is for sure, but isn't a good time always the thing that has made me veer off my desired path? The goal for the rest of my life is going to be in learning to stay on the road while enduring the good times!
Attempting to develop an ability to focus and remain focused, which is one of my goals with this blog. Whether anyone reads it or not, I am going to finish Power Thoughts, the Power Shower blog, and will have worked it the whole way through. I am not going to give up because there is a party down the street! Not this time!
How can I work a 10 minute "think session" into my daily routine?
Waking up early or staying up late has been my "special alone time" and I love it. I just have to keep my tired eyes from slamming shut as I write. Coffee is the key to most things really. Writing is my "think session". I have to commit more fully to this purpose. Daily.
Good habits I need to develop in my life? How and when will I start?
This begins with my speech. You can learn a lot about a person by how they answer this question, "How are you?". What prompted my urgency to change was my perpetual response when answering this question, "(heavy sigh) I'm doing alright(sad eyes)." Who wants to continue that conversation? Like I was begging for sympathy or baiting anyone that asked to say, "Oh, what is wrong?" out of obligation. I'll be honest, I don't enjoy those conversations, regardless of what end of it I am on. Our words become our ways. If my words are positive, then my thoughts will follow as will my feelings. I will start this morning and again tomorrow morning and the morning after that! Habits are difficult to break, but this is of the utmost importance as I am losing interest in the monotony of negative thinking. It kind of takes all the fun and wonder out of living.
Amen! This completes part 1 of the journey. I am anxious to start on the 12 Power Thoughts that this book details in the second half. This first part laid the foundation to a new thought process. Let me know about your own journey! I have loved and appreciated all the comments and personal stories that you have shared with me. Thank you for reading! You have given me fuel to continue. May God bless you and your own journey to a happy, positive existence!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wind of Change
Happy Friday!
Just taking a moment while entertaining visitors to comment on this week and this momentous day. Pete had his last on-air break just an hour ago, my last daycare child signed out for the last time yesterday, and we said good-bye to our fertile years yesterday afternoon. Feeling like we are jumping off a cliff into the unknown yet again. Learning again about change and the lonely road of faith that we all walk. Monday begins life anew and we are cautiously optimistic as we enter this new chapter of our lives. Loosening my grip on the need to control everything and waiting patiently to see what is in store for all of us. It is amazing what God will do with our lives if we give it all up and let him DO IT by himself! Not that we don't fight tooth and nail trying to make happen what we believe should happen....wow!
I am so very proud of my husband and all that he has accomplished in his on-air career. He moves onto radio sales this next week and I know he will be amazing. Putting our faith in the future, knowing this is in his plan for our lives.
Will continue with the Power Shower very soon! Received a blessing from Joyce Meyers Ministries to continue this journey to Power Thinking! Amen! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!!! God bless your Friday, the 13th!
Just taking a moment while entertaining visitors to comment on this week and this momentous day. Pete had his last on-air break just an hour ago, my last daycare child signed out for the last time yesterday, and we said good-bye to our fertile years yesterday afternoon. Feeling like we are jumping off a cliff into the unknown yet again. Learning again about change and the lonely road of faith that we all walk. Monday begins life anew and we are cautiously optimistic as we enter this new chapter of our lives. Loosening my grip on the need to control everything and waiting patiently to see what is in store for all of us. It is amazing what God will do with our lives if we give it all up and let him DO IT by himself! Not that we don't fight tooth and nail trying to make happen what we believe should happen....wow!
I am so very proud of my husband and all that he has accomplished in his on-air career. He moves onto radio sales this next week and I know he will be amazing. Putting our faith in the future, knowing this is in his plan for our lives.
Will continue with the Power Shower very soon! Received a blessing from Joyce Meyers Ministries to continue this journey to Power Thinking! Amen! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!!! God bless your Friday, the 13th!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Chapter 3: More Power to YOU!
My heart is heavy this morning. I am overwhelmed by the truth of our lives; that we are here on this earth for mere minutes and that time should be spent loving and living every minute for those that we love. We are here for one another. The news of Osama bin Laden's death was a shock to Pete and I, but once that wore off and we realized that this was quite the morale booster for America, it got me thinking about the next terrorist leader that will decide that Western Capitalists are the devil. My prayer would be that the world lay down their swords and celebrate the freedom that we are all given, not by our societies, but by God alone. AND this is NO WAY to start a Tuesday morning!!!
So I will move forward, Power Thinking my way through this glorious day!
But this did help me answer this next question: Imagine that!
What one thought do you believe limits you more than anything else? Do you BELIEVE you can change it?
The thought that there is good, but that it will always end badly. The thought that my scale tips mostly to the Yin in this life. That the other shoe is bound to drop at anytime. When good things, or even great things happen, there will always be an equally bad, or terrible thing that will happen next. That my blessings in this life will have to paid for in some painful and agonizing way. Yes, I HAVE to change this! I have been a firm believer of "Negative thinking = Positive results". Yes! I have had experience after experience of this becoming true. Now, this is most likely because as a professional negative thinker, I am always expecting the worst, so when positive things happen, I am always "surprised" and can trick myself into being "Happy" with the outcome. What I am striving for on this journey is a constant state of happy, not as an emotion, but as a belief and way of being that is with me always.
What are his (the enemies) greatest devices against you?
DOUBT, worry, and anxiety. Doubt that I can succeed as a mother, as a wife, as an employee, as a writer, as a friend, as a daughter, as a believer in God. Worry that terrible, horrible things are always afoot. Anxiety that if I don't worry and doubt everything in this life that I will be caught unaware and be made a fool.
I am (and you are) to make a list of positive things about a difficult person or situation in our lives right now.
This is challenging and rather personal, I believe the most difficult situation right now is the one we have been facing for 3 1/2 years. The raising our children with little to no money situation! I am going to do this fast since my positive thoughts only come in brief intervals:
1. The girls haven't had to be in daycare (besides our own!)
2. We have learned to live smarter, and spend wisely.
3. We have grown incredibly strong as a family, and more importantly, as a partnership.
4. I have been given opportunities to explore in running my own business and creating a unique position for myself as BSU.
5. Pete's schedule has allowed for both of us to work and still spend an ample amount of time with the girls.
6. The girls appear to be THRIVING!
7. We have created a life here in Boise and have remained employed despite the "economic downturn".
8. We still have our house.
9. I have fallen in love with writing all over again.
10. Our relationships with our families are strong, regardless of distance.
Well that was easy! Try it! I will read this daily as a reminder that there is good in all things. There are several positive things happening in our lives at this very moment, and I bet that has always been the case, I have just chosen to look at the dark side for far too long.
Something to mull over: I happen to live with an eternal optimist. I like to think that our dynamic works so well because Pete is always bright where I am dark. He is the Piglet to my Eeyore. We were chatting this morning about his optimism. He chalks it up to sports, saying, "You face so much adversity but there is always the chance to come back, until it is done." Isn't that the truth in our lives? We can always change it, we can always "come back" from wherever we are and whatever situation we have led ourselves into until it is done!
May God bless your week and your thoughts!
So I will move forward, Power Thinking my way through this glorious day!
But this did help me answer this next question: Imagine that!
What one thought do you believe limits you more than anything else? Do you BELIEVE you can change it?
The thought that there is good, but that it will always end badly. The thought that my scale tips mostly to the Yin in this life. That the other shoe is bound to drop at anytime. When good things, or even great things happen, there will always be an equally bad, or terrible thing that will happen next. That my blessings in this life will have to paid for in some painful and agonizing way. Yes, I HAVE to change this! I have been a firm believer of "Negative thinking = Positive results". Yes! I have had experience after experience of this becoming true. Now, this is most likely because as a professional negative thinker, I am always expecting the worst, so when positive things happen, I am always "surprised" and can trick myself into being "Happy" with the outcome. What I am striving for on this journey is a constant state of happy, not as an emotion, but as a belief and way of being that is with me always.
What are his (the enemies) greatest devices against you?
DOUBT, worry, and anxiety. Doubt that I can succeed as a mother, as a wife, as an employee, as a writer, as a friend, as a daughter, as a believer in God. Worry that terrible, horrible things are always afoot. Anxiety that if I don't worry and doubt everything in this life that I will be caught unaware and be made a fool.
I am (and you are) to make a list of positive things about a difficult person or situation in our lives right now.
This is challenging and rather personal, I believe the most difficult situation right now is the one we have been facing for 3 1/2 years. The raising our children with little to no money situation! I am going to do this fast since my positive thoughts only come in brief intervals:
1. The girls haven't had to be in daycare (besides our own!)
2. We have learned to live smarter, and spend wisely.
3. We have grown incredibly strong as a family, and more importantly, as a partnership.
4. I have been given opportunities to explore in running my own business and creating a unique position for myself as BSU.
5. Pete's schedule has allowed for both of us to work and still spend an ample amount of time with the girls.
6. The girls appear to be THRIVING!
7. We have created a life here in Boise and have remained employed despite the "economic downturn".
8. We still have our house.
9. I have fallen in love with writing all over again.
10. Our relationships with our families are strong, regardless of distance.
Well that was easy! Try it! I will read this daily as a reminder that there is good in all things. There are several positive things happening in our lives at this very moment, and I bet that has always been the case, I have just chosen to look at the dark side for far too long.
Something to mull over: I happen to live with an eternal optimist. I like to think that our dynamic works so well because Pete is always bright where I am dark. He is the Piglet to my Eeyore. We were chatting this morning about his optimism. He chalks it up to sports, saying, "You face so much adversity but there is always the chance to come back, until it is done." Isn't that the truth in our lives? We can always change it, we can always "come back" from wherever we are and whatever situation we have led ourselves into until it is done!
May God bless your week and your thoughts!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)