A success I shared that made a difference in someones life was my brother. He is going through a tough time right now and he (like I) walks every day. I told him that a happy person is one who is thankful. Thankful for the bigs things in life as well as all those little things. I explained that when I walk in the morning (which is every morning) I have a tree on my walk that I call my "tree of life". When I reach it, I give thanks....to everything and anything. The tree is my reminder. He liked my idea so much he said, "I'm stealing that idea from you and I'm going to do it too!"
On Friday afternoon/evening I took 30 quotes and sayings from class that struck a chord with me. I typed them all up in fancy fonts and colors and cut them out in unique ways. I plan to hang them all over our teacher's lounge before school starts to help build a positive climate!! I'm so excited to share all I've taken away from this class with others!
The morning after class was over I grabbed my two boys and my niece and nephew, and we went on a canoe/kayak trip. It felt great to give the kids a cool experience. And it was a lot of fun for me too.
Each day since our class I have started my day as you suggested: by looking in the mirror and making a statement about choosing to be happy. I cannot believe what a difference it has made. I find myself saying that a lot to myself during the day, too: "I choose to be happy." It has given me such a feeling of both peace and empowerment. The positive feelings are really pushing out the stressful ones.
Thank you, Christi, for printing out those quotes. We'll need them to keep us going throughtout the year.(I teach in her building. :)
Just reaching out to people. Received a great note from a fellow classmate,yep made me smile. Sometimes it's just the little things that can change a persons day. I find myself saying yes to somethings I would not have said yes to before. Enjoying the day!!!
I have really made a concerted effort to choose to be positive and happy on a daily basis. It has made such a difference in my life! There is a new feeling of joy and energy that I had been sadly missing. I've also continued my weight loss goals...about 12 pounds so far. Energy sure rises as the weight drops off!
I've begun each day with a simple line in a gratitude journal and it has put a purposeful perspective on my day, amazing difference.
I've made a point to leave and end the day with loving words with my family, even with the comings and goings we are in and out all day.
When my boys come to me wanting different things or fighting over something, I've talked about win-win options and approached it that way. Lots of weird looks at Mom so far, but I think it will pay off later :)
Part of my revised life mission statement was to continue to exercise regularly. About three weeks before class I had started an exercise routine. Today, for the first time in over thirty years, I ran a mile without having to stop.
1. I have been talking a lot about choosing your attitude at home, and teaching this to my family. I think they can see a difference in me as I am more calm, and able to be kind and patient at times when this would have been difficult in the past. 2. Our neighbor girl has had a very difficult time in middle school, including having her folks get divorced. She went from being a happy girl to a depressed teen giving up on school. With counseling she is doing much better I think. I saw her getting in the car with friends the other day, and asked if she got a new hair color, because it was so brilliant in the sun. She hadn't, but I told her "Your hair really looks beautiful today!" As she got in the car I heard her tell one of her friends "That really made my day!" Hearing that really made MY day, and I vowed to continue to reach out to her.
A long time friend just called and invited us up to their cabin tomorrow. I have a zillion things to do, and my husband won't even be home till 9 tonite, but I told her, "Sure, we'd love to come and spend time with our good friends!" Beautiful lake, eagles flying, the smell of the water, swimming, dinner on the lake, cool evenings, campfire, the call of the loons, moon glow on the water, and good friends . . . I just put on my oxygen mask -- my work will wait for me.
I spent this week at a Bible Camp with my daughter - it was another relaxing & rejuvinating week for me. It was a great reminder to me to put myself first and do the things that I want to do.
I am focusing on improving my fitness level. Right now I have a broken foot and a knee that is recovering from surgery. Since my activity level is limited I am concentrating on my knee rehabilitation and strengthening exercises. So far I have done all the exercises every day and I see improvement.
Today, I had a 2 hour car ride with my 18 year old. I lived in the PRESENT! We conversed about everything from music, to the future, to the trip he was embarking on.... It was so special.
I've focused on relationships this past week. I called my best friend from childhood and we made plans to get together over Labor Day after she drops her son off at Stout. She has been my best friend for 46 years, was my maid of honor, and my daughter's godmother. As my life got busier with family and work I didn't call her as often and I hadn't seen her in five years. We both have empty nests, our kids are all in grown now.
Part of my mission statement was dealing with inconveniences versus problems. I've tried to take all the issues that come with raising four children, such as squirting toothpaste all over the bathroom, as tiny inconveniences instead of big problems. It's not smooth sailing with four kids, but I think my attitude when things had gone wrong in past made things worse. I know it's just an attitude adjustment, but it's improved things over the past two weeks.
A success I shared that made a difference in someones life was my brother. He is going through a tough time right now and he (like I) walks every day. I told him that a happy person is one who is thankful. Thankful for the bigs things in life as well as all those little things. I explained that when I walk in the morning (which is every morning) I have a tree on my walk that I call my "tree of life". When I reach it, I give thanks....to everything and anything. The tree is my reminder. He liked my idea so much he said, "I'm stealing that idea from you and I'm going to do it too!"
ReplyDeleteOn Friday afternoon/evening I took 30 quotes and sayings from class that struck a chord with me. I typed them all up in fancy fonts and colors and cut them out in unique ways. I plan to hang them all over our teacher's lounge before school starts to help build a positive climate!! I'm so excited to share all I've taken away from this class with others!
ReplyDeleteThe morning after class was over I grabbed my two boys and my niece and nephew, and we went on a canoe/kayak trip. It felt great to give the kids a cool experience. And it was a lot of fun for me too.
ReplyDeleteEach day since our class I have started my day as you suggested: by looking in the mirror and making a statement about choosing to be happy. I cannot believe what a difference it has made. I find myself saying that a lot to myself during the day, too: "I choose to be happy." It has given me such a feeling of both peace and empowerment. The positive feelings are really pushing out the stressful ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christi, for printing out those quotes. We'll need them to keep us going throughtout the year.(I teach in her building. :)
Just reaching out to people. Received a great note from a fellow classmate,yep made me smile. Sometimes it's just the little things that can change a persons day.
ReplyDeleteI find myself saying yes to somethings I would not have said yes to before.
Enjoying the day!!!
I have really made a concerted effort to choose to be positive and happy on a daily basis. It has made such a difference in my life! There is a new feeling of joy and energy that I had been sadly missing. I've also continued my weight loss goals...about 12 pounds so far. Energy sure rises as the weight drops off!
ReplyDeleteI've begun each day with a simple line in a gratitude journal and it has put a purposeful perspective on my day, amazing difference.
ReplyDeleteI've made a point to leave and end the day with loving words with my family, even with the comings and goings we are in and out all day.
When my boys come to me wanting different things or fighting over something, I've talked about win-win options and approached it that way. Lots of weird looks at Mom so far, but I think it will pay off later :)
Part of my revised life mission statement was to continue to exercise regularly. About three weeks before class I had started an exercise routine. Today, for the first time in over thirty years, I ran a mile without having to stop.
ReplyDelete1. I have been talking a lot about choosing your attitude at home, and teaching this to my family. I think they can see a difference in me as I am more calm, and able to be kind and patient at times when this would have been difficult in the past.
ReplyDelete2. Our neighbor girl has had a very difficult time in middle school, including having her folks get divorced. She went from being a happy girl to a depressed teen giving up on school. With counseling she is doing much better I think. I saw her getting in the car with friends the other day, and asked if she got a new hair color, because it was so brilliant in the sun. She hadn't, but I told her "Your hair really looks beautiful today!" As she got in the car I heard her tell one of her friends "That really made my day!" Hearing that really made MY day, and I vowed to continue to reach out to her.
A long time friend just called and invited us up to their cabin tomorrow. I have a zillion things to do, and my husband won't even be home till 9 tonite, but I told her, "Sure, we'd love to come and spend time with our good friends!" Beautiful lake, eagles flying, the smell of the water, swimming, dinner on the lake, cool evenings, campfire, the call of the loons, moon glow on the water, and good friends . . . I just put on my oxygen mask -- my work will wait for me.
ReplyDeleteI spent this week at a Bible Camp with my daughter - it was another relaxing & rejuvinating week for me. It was a great reminder to me to put myself first and do the things that I want to do.
ReplyDeleteI am focusing on improving my fitness level. Right now I have a broken foot and a knee that is recovering from surgery. Since my activity level is limited I am concentrating on my knee rehabilitation and strengthening exercises. So far I have done all the exercises every day and I see improvement.
ReplyDeleteToday, I had a 2 hour car ride with my 18 year old. I lived in the PRESENT! We conversed about everything from music, to the future, to the trip he was embarking on.... It was so special.
ReplyDeleteI've focused on relationships this past week. I called my best friend from childhood and we made plans to get together over Labor Day after she drops her son off at Stout. She has been my best friend for 46 years, was my maid of honor, and my daughter's godmother. As my life got busier with family and work I didn't call her as often and I hadn't seen her in five years. We both have empty nests, our kids are all in grown now.
ReplyDeletePart of my mission statement was dealing with inconveniences versus problems. I've tried to take all the issues that come with raising four children, such as squirting toothpaste all over the bathroom, as tiny inconveniences instead of big problems. It's not smooth sailing with four kids, but I think my attitude when things had gone wrong in past made things worse. I know it's just an attitude adjustment, but it's improved things over the past two weeks.
ReplyDelete