This morning, around 5:00 a.m., I heard Ilah starting to get restless - giving me the clue that it was time for another feeding {these feedings sure do seem to roll around quick!}. Half asleep, I schlepped myself downstairs to warm up a bottle, almost missing a step {some days, I’ve actually run into a wall!}.
When I got back upstairs, I cradled my sweet little baby girl in my arm’s and as tired as I was, something came to me - not literally, but figuratively {women never really do have an “off” button do we?}.
I recalled a time, about five years ago, when I attended a work seminar related to positive thinking. The man who conducted it was very accomplished and while he could have given any reason as to why he loved the life that he was living, he attributed his fulfillment to having an attitude of gratitude. He said that people often put a negative connotation to the things that they “have to” do - go to work, clean the house, maintenance the car, go grocery shopping {again!}, “tolerate” relatives, pay bills – the list goes on.
He told us how different we would view those things if we changed our mindset by using the words “get to” instead of “have to”:
When I got back upstairs, I cradled my sweet little baby girl in my arm’s and as tired as I was, something came to me - not literally, but figuratively {women never really do have an “off” button do we?}.
I recalled a time, about five years ago, when I attended a work seminar related to positive thinking. The man who conducted it was very accomplished and while he could have given any reason as to why he loved the life that he was living, he attributed his fulfillment to having an attitude of gratitude. He said that people often put a negative connotation to the things that they “have to” do - go to work, clean the house, maintenance the car, go grocery shopping {again!}, “tolerate” relatives, pay bills – the list goes on.
He told us how different we would view those things if we changed our mindset by using the words “get to” instead of “have to”:
- I get to go to work [I have a job when so many people right now don't].
- I get to clean the house [I have a place to put my head every night].
- I get to maintenance the car [I'm thankful that I have one to service!].
- I get to go grocery shopping [I can eat when so many others are going without].
- I get to see my relatives [I have family when so many others have lost their loved ones].
- I get to pay bills – [I have “luxuries” like heat, electricity, cable tv, a phone, etc.].
In my case – I get to wake up at random hours of the night to feed my sweet baby [I have a beautiful, healthy baby girl to love and care for- there are so many women struggling with infertility or are caring for a sick baby].
Doesn’t this way of thinking transform the “not so fun” things into blessings?
I need to continue to remember to have this mindset – “an attitude of gratitude” – and look forward to all the things that I get to do. There really is so much to be thankful for that is often overlooked.
I need to continue to remember to have this mindset – “an attitude of gratitude” – and look forward to all the things that I get to do. There really is so much to be thankful for that is often overlooked.
0 comments:
Post a Comment