Promise Yourself...

I have this on a magnet at the side of my fridge that is right next to my Senseo. While I wait for my frothy cup of joe, I read these words:

"Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faithe that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!"

--Christian D. Larson

This bit of simple wisdom along with my coffee are the perfect morning attitude adjustment. Gives me a great perspective for the day. Some days are tougher than others, but I have strategically placed enough great quotes and bible verses all over the house and office so that when I begin to lose any belief in myself, I can be reminded... reassured... and revitalized.


What are the quotes or verses that get you through your days? Please share them here in the comments. You never know who will need to read those words.

...

I Am Such A Bitch

There are reasons that I become a Bitch in one hot second. I have some fundamental flaws that I have developed... so sue me. I'm human. And most of the time I forgive myself for my moments. Those moments when I allow all of that to explode into my day.

Like today, for example.

My cell phone, or rather, Life Line was turned off. Completely shut down. Non-communicable. My husband's was not. (aaarrgghhh) My attempts at reaching him were unsuccessful as he is travelling (grumble-grumble, aaarrrgghh, grumble). So I left a not-so-nice message about how he was not acting very cooperative in our Collaborative Divorce, damn it! I called the cell company to chew someone's ear off and find out what I needed to do to get my phone back up and running since my (aaarrghhh) A-Hole husband was being a jerk and had not notified me of this action. That's when I found out that someone had reported my phone lost. "It's not lost! I'm on it right now? Who would have said it was lost?"

Uh-oh... Shoot!

Yesterday at church, someone gave me my old phone that had died. I had reactivated a new phone and let the kids play with the one that crashed. They took it to church and left it there last week. Somehow, someone was able to "resurrect" it. They saw that it was my phone, and thinking they would do me a favor, called the cell company to report it found. Well... the cell company doesn't have a system for Found, only Lost (so pessimistic). So today, my replacement phone got zapped as the "Lost" phone.

Wooopsy...

The whole time I was getting it all straightened out I kept thinking about the message I had left my poor husband. (Please note how he went from A-Hole to sympathetic innocent within seconds). Now I have a nasty message out in the ether AND a guilty conscience. YAY! Just about that moment, my office phone rings. I know who it is by the voice of my inner accuser (You are such a bitch!) ringing in my ears. "Helllloooo...." I sheepishly explained myself and luckily we had a good chuckle about it. He understood the confusion and I was able to say sorry without feeling like I was giving anything up.

I think I'll be okay. Minus the occassional zero-to-sixty-bitchiness-explosion. But hey, I own it.

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New Beliefs

Part of healing and recovery is replacing old Belief Systems (BS) with new empowering beliefs. Easier said than done. Definitely nothing that comes overnight. But it is possible, and so I move ahead.

This morning was spent in the presence of a group of wonderful women, all in a room to promote their own businesses and to partner with each other for the good of everyone. We chatted over coffee and learned about our past month and goals for the coming month. That was Part I of our meeting.

Part 2 was very special. Our speaker was Claudia Jean, self proclaimed Queen of Self-Esteem! She began by talking about aging and how the alternative is "you not being here to share and to bless others." That quieted me quickly. If I don't want to age, then I have to give up my place here... and all the fun that comes along with it. Simple truth... yes. But how often do we look in the mirror and sigh unhappily about the state of gravity on our parts? She asked us to pretend we were ourselves in the future, take a look back at our image today and then say (from the future), "Damn! You looked good back then!" 'Cause back then... that's what's happening right now. She also said something very simple yet true: "The fact that I showed up means that I am good enough!" But she admitted, just knowing you are good enough doesn't mean that you will feel it, too. We talked a little more about loading back up with good and positive beliefs.

Enter MY guest this morning, Lorretta Shughrue. Lorretta is a hypnotherapist who, aside from having her own therapy practice, offers over-night rejuvination CDs that unlock the yuck that we say to ourselves throughout the day, sends it on it's way, and refills our subconscious with positive affirmations. She gave us a sampling by ending our meeting with an affirming breathing exercise reminding us that we are wonderful, beautiful creatures. The word I took away from that exercise was "magnificent." Later that morning, I thought, "this must be how a princess feels!" Wonderful. Beautiful. Magnificent.

In emptying out the old BS, I am actively replacing new thoughts. I used to feel like How much worse can it get? Now I feel as if I am on a platform ready to jump off and soar into the sky. All my fears are still there, but they are diminishing and I am getting stronger. This life... this new life of my own making... it's going to be...

MAGNIFICENT!



Claudia Jean's site is currently under construction. She is, however, available by phone at 760/692-0439. She speaks to women's groups from the teen years to those celebrating their seventies and above. In her talks, she will share the three parts of Self Esteem and how to be kinder to the woman in the mirror.

Lorretta Shughrue, DCH has earned a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Hypnotherapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. She has a passion for empowering others to reach their personal goals and improve their quality of life. Her practice is Experience Empowerment and can be found at www.expemp.com