Stinkin’ Thinkin’

Does not get you anywhere! Ya hear me?

I take that back. It gets you depressed, sad, angry, and isolated. Sometimes those emotions are motivation to make a change. Or get help. Hope so.

Do you have that internal chatter? ‘This is your fault.’ ‘You should have thought about that.’ ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’ ‘This is your punishment.’ ‘If you had (or hadn’t) done_________ , then ________, wouldn’t have happened.’

The devil is on your shoulder causing stinkin’ thinkin’! Realize it for what it is and stand your ground! Turn and run from anything or anyone that weighs you down with negative thoughts.

Ten days ago, we got some tough news. Hard to hear and harder to process. Sinking into despair sounded simple.

But, there were good things to count. Some were evident immediately and some came over the week. I wrote them down to remember. It would have been easy to embrace a negative attitude if I hadn’t tried to focus on God’s strong arms around us.

Looking for the positive is hard when you’ve had a blow. But while you are down, look up. You’ll see hands offering assistance. The sun peeping through the clouds. Caring hearts holding yours.

As we methodically moved forward with bothersome information, it dawned on me that Jacob had been more fussy than usual. Was he bothered by our conversations? You better believe than he’s taking it all in whether he appears to be listening or not. Did his meds need adjusting? He’s now been away from his day program for eight months. Maybe he is just TIRED of us. Who can blame him? How could I help him?

Many years ago, I started hearing the word, gratitude.

grat·i·tude /ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/ noun – the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness

I’ve not been good at consciously writing down something every day that I’m thankful for. I think this is the year for that, whether you create a gratitude journal or jot down thoughts on scrap paper. With Thanksgiving being three weeks away, why not try it?

I thought about how God blessed me with three guys. So very thankful for my husband and two sons.

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And, How wonderful life is while they’re in the world!

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If you express thankfulness, your view will change. If you show appreciation, your joy is magnified. If you give kindness, it will find it’s way back to you.

So, appreciate what you have.

Try to find contentment where you are.

Don’t forget to say, thank you.

Look for the good.

Reach out to someone hurting.

Make eye contact and let your eyes smile.

Commend someone out loud.

Pay it forward.

Be nice.

How can I help Jacob? And the rest of my family? Defy despair and turn stinkin’ thinkin’ into winning thinking!!