Day 18_Lemons or Lemonade

Hello there.

Take a moment and get quiet. Shake off any stress from your day.

Slow your thoughts.

Think about something that you're looking forward to.

When you're ready, describe what you're looking forward to.

It may have been hard to settle down and feel calm.

If you're like the rest of us, then there may have been negative thoughts that were hard to get rid of. Hear ya!

What thoughts are running through your mind right now that compete with the best thing about you?

Do you think any of your struggles were made more dramatic because of your inner dialogue? Go easy with this. It's not a blame game.

It's an honest assessment that will help you catch it the next time so you can avoid negativity.

Do you know how to flip messages that make things appear worse than they really are?

Here's the thing about flipping negative self talk to good: it takes off pressure you were never meant to experience.

It's not about the reality of any situation you're facing. It's about refusing to allow situations to get out of control. It's about learning how much power you have to overcome challenges by changing the way you perceive them.

For example, you can see a challenge and say, "OMG! Not again! This can't be happening! I'm getting my butt kicked."

Or you can see the same challenge and say, "Hmm...here's my chance. I can think through this carefully. I'll find a way around it, over it or through it. I'm going to develop my strengths while I do it. I think I'll make it easier on myself by respecting the fact that people genuinely care about me and want to help out. So I'll ask for help."

You've gone from "I've lost; this situation is bigger than I am" to "I've won and gained strength and friendships in the process."

Start by taking what you've been telling yourself lately that was negative and flip it around to its opposite message where you're the winner.

How did that make you feel?

Before you sign out, get a mental image about what a victory would look like over your current challenge.

Hang onto that image and the flipped message as you go through your day.

Select "successful" when you've got the image in your mind.

Post to publisher (us) at the bottom of the page and let us know how things go.

Your friends and peers in your Campfire (local), Campsite (national), and Campground (international) could benefit from your mental image and what happened as a result. Go ahead. Make our day!