This is an amazing talk I listened to today that helped me realize answers to our problems come by looking to God and the Savior. I tend to look outward for help, and this reminded me I need to start by looking up.
January 20, 2012
January 04, 2012
It Will Be Whatever You Choose
A friend recently sent me a link to another mom's blog who had posted the following instagram quote: "It will be whatever you choose." (check it out here)
I had just finished some chores and was feeling worn out when I read this. I began to compare myself to what I considered more successful moms than myself, which made me feel even lower. I thought to myself, "I feel depressed."
But then the above quote came to my mind. I realized I had a choice in how I felt, and I thought, "No, I choose to feel happy." When I said this, I thought of what I had accomplished today instead of what I hadn't. I also thought that I should focus on my own growth and improvement instead of on others' accomplishments. Those choices left me feeling happier and free to enjoy my day instead of being depressed about it!
I had just finished some chores and was feeling worn out when I read this. I began to compare myself to what I considered more successful moms than myself, which made me feel even lower. I thought to myself, "I feel depressed."
But then the above quote came to my mind. I realized I had a choice in how I felt, and I thought, "No, I choose to feel happy." When I said this, I thought of what I had accomplished today instead of what I hadn't. I also thought that I should focus on my own growth and improvement instead of on others' accomplishments. Those choices left me feeling happier and free to enjoy my day instead of being depressed about it!
January 03, 2012
Don't Blame
A couple years ago when I was working on lowering my stress levels to help treat my depression, I found a list of 12 ideas for reducing stress in your life in a medical book by the American Medical Association. Today I share one of those ideas: "Don't Blame: It keeps you from making constructive changes."
I recently applied this when I woke up crabby one morning from not getting enough sleep. I immediately blamed my husband who I had stayed up late with talking. Later that morning, I thought about how I shouldn't blame him, but instead focus on making a constructive change.
I came up with an idea that I put into use the next night: I wear earplugs to bed to help me sleep through the night (they block out snoring, house noises, dogs barking, cars, etc.); I decided that when I came to upstairs to get ready for bed, I would tell him goodnight and then put my earplugs in while I got ready for bed and read my scriptures.
It actually helped! He knew I couldn't hear him, so he didn't start any conversations with me, and it helped me to not start talking to him and to remember my bigger goal of getting enough sleep so I can be brain healthy.
Next time something goes wrong and you're tempted to blame, think instead about a change YOU can make to alter the situation for your benefit!
I recently applied this when I woke up crabby one morning from not getting enough sleep. I immediately blamed my husband who I had stayed up late with talking. Later that morning, I thought about how I shouldn't blame him, but instead focus on making a constructive change.
I came up with an idea that I put into use the next night: I wear earplugs to bed to help me sleep through the night (they block out snoring, house noises, dogs barking, cars, etc.); I decided that when I came to upstairs to get ready for bed, I would tell him goodnight and then put my earplugs in while I got ready for bed and read my scriptures.
It actually helped! He knew I couldn't hear him, so he didn't start any conversations with me, and it helped me to not start talking to him and to remember my bigger goal of getting enough sleep so I can be brain healthy.
Next time something goes wrong and you're tempted to blame, think instead about a change YOU can make to alter the situation for your benefit!
January 02, 2012
Have a Daily Goal/Purpose
I recently read a lesson on "Experiencing Joy Now." It included a list of reasons why people experience unhappiness and one that caught my eye was: Lack of goals or purpose.
I know that for me if I have a plan for the day of things I need to do and want to accomplish, it's easier for me to get up and get going. If not, then if I am feeling depressed already, I can stay in bed all morning, never shower, and feel grumpy and crappy all day.
*Before you go to bed tonight, think about a goal or activity you'd like to pursue and something you can do tomorrow to work toward that goal OR a purpose for the day, something you'd like to get done or achieve.*
Hobbies, talents, exercise, good old-fashioned work, and service are all great mood lifters and positive distractions that help lift depressive moods. You might not feel like doing anything but DO IT ANYWAY and you will feel better!
I know that for me if I have a plan for the day of things I need to do and want to accomplish, it's easier for me to get up and get going. If not, then if I am feeling depressed already, I can stay in bed all morning, never shower, and feel grumpy and crappy all day.
*Before you go to bed tonight, think about a goal or activity you'd like to pursue and something you can do tomorrow to work toward that goal OR a purpose for the day, something you'd like to get done or achieve.*
Hobbies, talents, exercise, good old-fashioned work, and service are all great mood lifters and positive distractions that help lift depressive moods. You might not feel like doing anything but DO IT ANYWAY and you will feel better!
January 01, 2012
Happy New Year!
Today's tip comes from Pres. Monson's message in the January Ensign titled "Living the Abundant Life." He challenges each of us at the beginning of this new year to "undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for...the abundant life-a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings." Who doesn't want that?!
So what can we do to achieve this? He has 3 tools, his "ABC"s he calls them:
1. Have a Positive Attitude: "The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."
William James, renowned American psychologist and philosopher
Pres. Monson says, "To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."
2. Believe in Yourself: "Don't limit yourself and don't let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith." Monson
3. Face Challenges With Courage: "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pres. Monson adds, "Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one's coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve...Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow."
Here's to "trying again tomorrow" as each of us strives to improve and better manage our lives and emotional and mental health! May this year be better than the last!
So what can we do to achieve this? He has 3 tools, his "ABC"s he calls them:
1. Have a Positive Attitude: "The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."
William James, renowned American psychologist and philosopher
Pres. Monson says, "To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."
2. Believe in Yourself: "Don't limit yourself and don't let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith." Monson
3. Face Challenges With Courage: "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pres. Monson adds, "Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one's coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve...Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow."
Here's to "trying again tomorrow" as each of us strives to improve and better manage our lives and emotional and mental health! May this year be better than the last!
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