Daily Gratitude: What went through your mind when you read this quote? It took me a few times but then it began to sink in. It’s definitely a different way of looking at change. I’ll admit that change is NOT one of my favorite things – at all. But if I look at it as being creative, as building something new, then my “take” on change is altered. It becomes exciting actually and I never thought I would say that about change. Can you pick something small that’s changing in your life. Take some time to think about it. Then write about what good (or great) things you imagine might come from or with this change. This may not be easy but it’s worth it. And because it’s not easy is why you want to start small. You may even have to ask for help from a friend or family member to come up with something that’s changing. Or you could start with something that’s always changing such as getting older every day. That may or may not feel small to you though. I could use how in the fall the traffic will increase again once kids are back in school. That’s non threatening and very small. But I could use it to see how it’s something new and I could focus on what the differences will be. I may not be able to come up with the positives right away because it “always makes traffic so much worse” – but then I see that that’s just fighting the old (what else is complaining?). How can I put a positive spin on it? That’s where i have to make it fun or I’m liable to stop. Try it. See how it feels to make yourself think differently. Let us know.

Daily Gratitude: Even though I’m not big on all the emphasis we put on time, I do have to face reality (sometimes anyway). When you feel stressed, the need or request to do something else adds greater stress – even when it’s something that’s meant to distress you. I’ve found myself doing that recently. For nearly two years I was allowing myself a massage every week. It was time just for myself and it was also helping my overused muscles. But since becoming a death doula and starting to volunteer – all on top of trying to train for this year’s Vol State, there hasn’t been enough time to get the massages. I’m sure that’s no big deal to most of you and it really isn’t EXCEPT for what it symbolizes. Part of being a death doula means you’re supposed to be available. That means on little or no notice. I don’t have any problems with the idea but it messes with things you have scheduled. So the “big deal” about my not being able to get massages is that I am having to adjust to a different way of life and not rely on scheduled activities as much. I am ok with this as all of these things were my choice – I could say “yes” to the massages and no to one or more of the other activities. Or I could say “no” to the massages to free me up for the other things. That’s what we have to think about. We have a choice to say “yes” or “no” and it’s our responsibility to be aware of that every single time we say “yes” to something. Somewhere down the road that yes will turn into a “no”.

Daily Gratitude: There is so much we could do if we only recognized that what was holding us back was our lack of belief that we could do it. A baby doesn’t know it doesn’t have great motor coordination. It only knows it sees something and wants to get to it to touch or hold it. It also doesn’t have any “failure” belief so when it falls down it doesn’t say “damn I’m a failure. So I’m never going to try to walk again”. It learns “failure “ thinking from those around it. Even if you think that you’re too old for this to apply to you, think how you can encourage those around you or those who come to you for advice. Don’t tell them “well it looks pretty impossible. Why don’t you do them the favor of believing in them. Maybe some of that belief will rub off on you. Always think first “I can do this. I just have to figure out how” instead of “this is impossible” or “this is impossible for me.” Try it for awhile and see if your thoughts and attitude changed.