It’s time to do some mental housecleaning…as in who, what, where I chose to keep in my life or accept – and what I need to decrease or eliminate. I am finding myself gravitating towards things and attitudes that I don’t particularly like or want in myself.
Positivity VS Negativity – It’s an attitude choice, and sometimes I have to remind myself often of this, especially around negative people. It is so easy to get dragged down and lose sight of the good when you are around those who only see the negative.
Drama VS Calm – I want to be surrounded by people who enjoy living and just doing their thing. Don’t need to have the turbulence created by those who need to make themselves look good at the expense of others. The narcissists of the world – those who feed off of making others look small, incompetent, and unimportant to bolster their self-esteem – no place for this.
Joy VS Doom – The world is either filled with possibility, light, and potential – or it is a scary place filled with people you can’t trust, situations that will turn out badly, and all things that must be worried about. So far in my life, with very few exceptions, the things I have wasted extensive time worrying about have not happened. My worry did not improve the outcome; it just diminished the quality of my life during the time that I was worrying. According to Henry Ford – whether you think you can or think you can’t; you are right.
Possibility VS Stagnation – I think this has a lot to do with comfort zone. Stay within your comfort zone and you aren’t going to grow. In fact, your life will keep getting smaller because your comfort zone will start to shrink. I need to constantly look for possibilities and for opportunities to grow, because I don’t want to live in a shrinking, constrictive world.
Boundaries VS Burnout – Keep relearning the importance of setting boundaries because I am worthy of respecting my time and energies instead of spreading myself so thin that I develop burnout and get an ugly case of resentment.
Control VS Letting Go – If I have the faith that I profess, God really doesn’t need my help in controlling all things. There are a few situations where I can help, actually feel led to help, and those usually feel right and flow well. In most cases, my input is not needed. God has been doing a really great job for much longer than I have been alive.
Over-helping VS Stepping Back – If I feel I can help (in whatever form, through knowledge or practical experience), I need to learn to offer that help and then step back. Not everyone needs, wants, or appreciates my sharing of that help. Reminder to self – their outcome is not a reflection of me or my presence. I can better direct that energy elsewhere.
Say No Without Guilt VS Trying To Please Everyone – self-explanatory.
These are not new revelations. It’s frustrating to realize, but important to remember that with a healthy measure of grace, getting back on track will happen. I have the choice to stay small, let the walls close in, and embrace the negatives – or pull up my big girl britches and get some joy going on.
What about you? What things or attitudes are weighing you down or lifting you up? Is it time for some spring cleaning around your mind and attitude?
Remember – grace in all things. You are worthy of so much. God created this great big world, and I’m pretty sure His intention was for us to enjoy it and not be afraid of it. Not only did He create this world, but He created me and you. Unique, worthy, loved and capable.
Lert's Lessons in Grace 