Positive Thinking: A New Age Way of Thinking?

If you were to go back through this blog and my previous blog site posts, you would find positive thinking drives my life and I tend to try to always see the glass as "1/2 full." 


This is not to say that I do not have bouts of negative thinking. I do. And for those of you who have been close enough to me for enough time, know ALL situations that could put me in that negative way of thinking. 


Many times when I quote someone or something about being positive, it's more for me to hear than for those who are on the receiving end. Though I know that we all need that little "pump" especially on those rough days. 


I've recently started 40 Days of Positive Thinking. Just like gratitude there were many reasons for me to start being positive and consciously stating it. 


* I have 10 weeks before the next break from work - Spring Break
* January and February tend to drag by for me each year
* The last few months of pregnancy (10 weeks) is the hardest, most uncomfortable of them all
* I need to focus my mind, body, and soul  before this baby arrives
* My being a positive force in my family helps my husband and children
* Being positive helps me stay present and in the moment - the only way to live

I know there are naysayers out there who believe that positive thinking has no power at all. To them, I say; I challenge - TRY IT. Decide something you will be positive about and state it at least once a day. It has happened in my life time and time again. If I listed the instances, you'd think it was "cheesy" and say I made it all up......
For those who say positive thinking is just a "New Age" way of thinking......


I ask you to read this: 


"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:23 (NIV)


If you expect the best, are faithful in the best, and state the best - you will get the best that God has to offer you. 


Again I say - positivity doesn't just happen. You have to put the effort into it just as you do a diet, a new fitness plan, parenting, friendship, marriage........We were expected to work for things in life, not have them simply handed to us: 


"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)


Our words leave a very lasting effect whether we say it in person face to face, on Facebook, in an email, or say it to yourself -  so if you set out to be negative know that it is affecting more people than you know - Don't give those negative words the power of putting them in writing. There is enough negativity floating out in the world without our help! 


"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)


Help me build each other up - we all need it - join me in passing on positivity for the next 40 days! 

I Know I Can

*waving* Hello, blog readers! Here I am again. Things have been busy. *cough* cough* That's an understatement.

Work has been busy, but life has been busier. All those power struggles I thought I would have were shadowed by life.

We've all heard the saying "Life gets in the way of other plans." Well, it seems that my life continues to teach me this no matter how many times I think I've learned it.

After training 9 days in a row, my mind is exhausted. Even so, I can still look you in the eye and tell you how much I love my job; how much joy it gives me to help others; how much I love working with people and learning what it takes to get them to reach new levels. I can tell you how much I love using a microphone. Wow. I was able to use microphone all morning and didn't want to stop talking. Once I spoke, all eyes were attentive listening to what I had to say. Ha! Not like it was that important, but still. I realized I could probably do that weekly and be relaxed doing it. Who would've thought - as a child I was soooo shy and never wanted eyes on me. Weird that I'd rather speak to large audiences through a mic, but tell me you have thrown me a party with 50 of my friends, and I would freak. So, exhausted or not - I am thankful for a job I enjoy.

For the past two weeks, while training, I've also been going to multiple dr visits. Maddie has been sick. Symptoms are crazy and don't seem to go together. My mind has been worried, my heart achy from watching her grimace in pain and tell me it hurts. We have tried everything and taken tons of tests (all which have come back normal so far).

When she first complained, I thought 'Well, it will be something easy, fixable.' My mind never once allowed the thought that she might not be well enough for school. Until this week.

After Friday's visit, I walked out pretty sure even the one dr I had the most faith in didn't know what was wrong. Worry set in. It didn't help that almost everyone around me was saying it was "just stress." Hmmm. Maybe, but I live with her day in and day out. I watch her. I talk with her. I know she's not "faking" her symptoms just for attention. I know she wishes more than anything she wasn't sick and could be with her friends.

I'd planned to rest over the weekend. Saturday I thought we would all make a park visit and get some fresh air, but later that morning Jason called and said he was in ER. Accident at work. Nothing major. Minor and hurting, but he's ok. That put me in a completely different mood. What was the deal? Little did I know, him being home this week would be a HUGE blessing and couldn't come at a more right time.

So after 4 dr visits in a week and hearing the news that she will have to miss the very first day of school, I can only find myself finding comfort and strength in the one thing that has always gotten me through.

God gives to His servants this promise:
You’ll not have to face life alone;
And when you grow weak in your struggle,
His strength will prevail—not your own.

I absolutely DO NOT believe in coincidences. So, when I walked into convocation on Tuesday and sat in the back of our new auditorium with all of those educators, I knew I'd hear something inspiring. I wished and hoped I would. Then, this from photojournalist Dewitt Jones:

"Change is our ally. Times of the most change, offer the most possibility. Live in uncertainty and act in confidence. When we believe it we will see it. It wasn't how you planned it, but what is right with the situation?"

This youtube clip doesn't do the entire video justice.(If you would like a longer clip - email me) It brought me back to the core of what I believe. And I needed it because I was in doubt.

I had forgotten that when at the edge of a cliff, the winds can take us higher than we imagine.

The Climb

Every time I turn on the radio, it seems that Miley Cyrus is in my head.......

Her stardom reminds me so much of my own childhood with New Kids on the Block, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, etc. . 

The girls love her and The Jonas Brothers. I should probably think about getting tickets for them. Wouldn't I be the cool mom for the year? (like that's my main goal in life. HA!)

So, I bought The Climb from iTunes and added it to the iPod for the girls to listen to in the car.

 

On my runs lately it seems that it continuously comes on and I can't help but listen. . . . 

I can almost see it

That dream I'm dreaming

But there's a voice inside my head saying

"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking

Every move I make feels

Lost with no direction

My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying

Gotta keep my head held high

_________________________

Wow. This reminds me of the past year and a half. 

My faith was shaking. 

Never really thought I could reach any goal during such a difficult time. But I knew for the girls sake I couldn't give up. 

I had to keep going. 

Moving. 

_________________________

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Aint' about what's waitin on the other side

It's the climb

____________________

No matter what is going on in life, there will ALWAYS be another obstacle. Another goal.

No matter when we get to the "other side" there will always be another steep hill to climb. 

I will always want to move mountains. 

As much as I like to succeed at ALL things in my life, I have to accept that I will not ALWAYS win. 

___________________

The struggles I'm facing

The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it

But these are the moments that 

I'm gonna remember most

Just gotta keep going

______________________

Things might push me down to the ground, but I will always land on my hands and knees and stand up strong again. 

The difficult times, the struggles, the joys behind those and because of those struggles ARE the things I will remember most. 

This is what life is about, really, isn't it? 

The climb. 

The best things I ever did......

I'm back blogging. Again. 

It's been almost an unbelievable month since I've blogged. Like the past few years of my life, this past month was a bit stressful. I really cannot pinpoint why, but it definitely affected my health. I've never been so sick as I was this past month. I *do* believe: stress kills. It caught up with me and wouldn't let go. I'm so glad to be blogging again, though. It's a sign I'm gaining against the stress. Writing is as good for my soul as chocolate.

Not talking.

I think one of the best things I ever did was NOT talk about what was going on in my life while it was going on. It was already too much to deal with for me and my circle of trust but there was no way I could've repeated all that was happening to everyone who was just curious. I would pass on this advice to anyone I know going through a struggle and ironically, I have passed it on to two different friends in the past month. It's funny how everyone thinks they know what's going on in your life based on a facebook status or by what they hear from others. It's even funnier that people actually were offended that I didn't take the time to tell them everything. Truthfully, though, we all struggle with something on a daily basis. It doesn't mean we always have to talk about it, right? Hence, the reason I haven't really been blogging. 

Getting married.

This sort of goes along with "not talking." I stopped living my life for everyone else. After all, they only knew pieces of my life. I stopped thinking of what others thought. I decided that not talking really helped give me permission to feel what I felt and begin living my life. It allowed me time to grieve, time to love my girls, time to find a "new normal." I'm running my race. It will never be like anyone else's. It will require things that aren't required of others. So, when Jason came into my life I had pretty much thought that I would go the rest of the race alone. I was ok with that, too. But then, he became "the list." The list I should've made at 17. The list I tell my girls about now. The list empowers you and allows you to really know yourself. Besides the list, I let the girls lead. I made no decision without knowing how they felt about it first. I didn't go forward with anything unless I knew that they were safe, secure, and solid in the next steps. So, just as everyone was really finding out about the divorce, we were already past that stage and feeling out just how Jason would fit into our family. Now, here we are. And it cracks me up when people are so surprised. For us, we are settled and ready to see what the future holds! In a small town, many of you know what a feat that is - going a whole year w/out anyone really knowing or being able to give their opinions. It just kills some people. ;) 

Reading.

Since Friday I have finished the third of the Twilight series, Fireproof, and am now 1/2 way done with Breaking Dawn. One of my other favorite reads is a blog written by my friend, T. I love her blogs b/c they are real, raw, and truthful. They aren't always happy face blogs, but she always inspires me. They ALWAYS trigger strong emotion after I finish them. She, like all of us, is on a quest to better know her life, her relationships, and herself. I don't get to comment every time, but tonight I want to tribute her and her writing. She's not afraid to say what she thinks or feels. Check her out! 

Vacating.

No kidding. The minute I left town and went into the cool mountains of NM, my stomach pain stopped. I slept more than I have in a year. I laughed and loved and listened. The silence. Being on top of a mountain and stopping in your tracks is fabulous. You are there. God is there. I know he speaks in the silence. If only we could find more time to find the silence. I know we would all be much wiser and calmer. So, I'm back home and ready for relaxation, no sense of time and for the silence to envelope around me. 

Girls. 

They've always been the best things I've ever done. They are my breath, my life, and my sunshine. I learn more about myself just by watching and listening to them. Maddie is 1/2 of me and Avery the other 1/2. I see my flaws in them, my talents, and more than anything God's grace in each of them. I'm so blessed to be their mama! 

So, this summer we all will be doing something that we love. 

Maddie will be taking art camp. Art heals her and allows her to speak through drawing. I love that she's tuned into this at such a young age. 

Avery will start ballet. If you only knew how often she spins around to music......She thrilled about doing something that is all her own. 

And I'm tossing around an idea of my own. I've never taken any kind of dance class, but I'm seriously thinking of signing up for one. 

Life is too short to have regrets. 

Life is too short to wonder what if. 

Life is too short to not try the things you've always wanted to do. 

Go. Do them. I'm giving you permission. It will be the best thing you ever did....

Great Women

Since this month is Women's History Month, I thought it befitting to do a few posts over great women. When I began thinking of the great women in my life, I was surprised that the list was so long!

I'm so thankful that these women have come into my life. A few have stayed, but some of the greatest have gone and left such a great heart-print on my life. I think of all of them as so incredibly strong. Funny. Just in the past week, several people have said or written to me "Tisha, you must be strong because . . ." Ha! A lot they know. I do not feel strong most of the time, at least not on my own accord. 

Of all the women that I think of as strong, I think of my own birth mother. I've said this while blogging before, but as a mother myself, I cannot think of a greater strength and love: giving up your own child so they may be cared for in ways you are aware you cannot provide. Adoption stories are always so close to my heart. As I get older, they always, without a doubt, bring tears to my eyes. I admire her so much for something I'm pretty sure I couldn't do. 

As for women that I don't know, personally, one of my favorite strong women is Maya Angelou. If you have not had the chance to read some of her writings, do. She has a great story and is such an inspiration to so many, including me. 

I leave you with an excerpt from each of my favorite of her poems and dedicate them to the strongest of women in my life: 

Still I Rise

. . . 

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops

Weakened by my soulful cries. 

. . . 

You may shoot me with your words, 

You may cut me with your eyes, 

You may kill me with your hatefulness, 

But still, like air, I'll rise. 

Phenomenal Woman

. . . 

Now you understand 

Just why my head's not bowed

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud. 

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say, 

It's in the click of my heels, 

The bend of my hair, 

The palm of my hand, 

The need of my care. 

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally. 

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Hang on to Your.......

*sigh* Well, I'm back. I can't believe it either. With the approach of Spring and the newness of things around me, I feel rejuvenated, recovered, and remarkable. I'm ready. Ready for blogging. I've been gone a long time. Such is life. A new chapter begins and I'm ready to get back on the bandwagon and take this journey on.....

I'm still speaking soundly. 

But for today and for the beginning of your weekend, here's a funny little mommy story for you. 

****************************************************

Avery has been going to preschool every T/Th since September. Each week they study a letter of the alphabet and each Thursday they bring a show and tell item that begins with that letter. Being a single mom of 2 little girls has it's challenges and so more often than not, we do not get to school with the show and tell of the week. 

This week was "U." Avery colored a beautiful version of an umbrella. Her coloring is such an improvement since Letter D. Her dog just wasn't what I expected. ;) 

So, we get home and she unloads her backpack with her cola dyed egg, her folder, and her lunchbox. I read her folder and her teacher left a nice note "We had a great day! Cute show and tell!" 

WHAT SHOW AND TELL?!?!? I barely made it out of the house with everyone in the car. 

I ask Avery - "What did you take for show and tell?"

Avery - "Underwear" (so matter of factly)

Me - "Where did you get the underwear?" (fearful of this answer)

Avery - "From my backpack." (If only I'd known she'd be showing these to her whole school, I might've made a point to send a NEW pair.)

LMAO! I always keep an extra pair of panties in her backpack in case of accidents. Apparently she's been use to this for quite some time. In typical Avery fashion, she's always prepared and flies by the seat of her pants. . . . .or panties.............