Count Your Blessings, Not your Problems
Today I woke up from a very active weekend, and a very disappointing softball game. And even though I try to always have a positive outlook and a grateful heart that does not always happen. Today it seemed that everything that could go wrong did. I felt like the world just did not want to cooperate with me. Everyone I came across I felt were the most annoying people. I had to step back and see what was going on in my life that made me feel that way.
I had a great weekend with my softball sisters. Playing on two different teams, and trying to do my best on both. On one team we have great communication and everyone uplifts and encourages each other throughout the game. On the other team, not so much. No communication or as much support.
Being a pitcher, I tend to feel like I have the "weight of the world" on my shoulders. But the difference from one team to the other is the support that I get, regardless of the pitch count. They know I am working hard and support me. The other, makes me feel like I am totally responsible for the outcome of the game. And the result, is worrying so much about the pitches that are not good, that I don't allow myself to forget and move to the next.
Have you ever felt that way? The feeling that because you know the outcome based on "the last time" that you get into a mindset of defeat before you ever start. I know it happens to everyone with the things they have passion for and want to succeed and do their best.
Even the best athlete has an off game. And I found that because I could not resist the temptation to give in to the disappointment of my performance or the perceived expectations of some team mates that I was allowing those emotions to ruin my games, my day. And in turn, not sharing the light with others.
So somewhere mid-day I decided that I needed to make the change. My negative attitude was affecting everyone I was in contact with. Here I am, being the person that wants to initiate change, and I was being the most negative, sour person in the room.
So here is what I decided to do (And I hope that it helps you too). At the end of the day, take a few moments to think about just three things that happened during the day that you are most happy about, and why you believe they happened.
If you just do this for a few days, you start to think about the positives more than the negatives. And over time (And I am going to see what a month brings) I think I will have a better outlook on things. I shared my idea with my teacher today at school and she shared with me something from Charles Dickens “Reflect on your present blessings, on which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
So don't focus on the things that go wrong in a day, we all get those, most of which we can't control. Focus on the things that you did well, that you can control such as being a friend to someone, being respectful, helping others. Compared to some, I am very blessed.
Count your blessings instead of your short comings. We all have bad days. Look for the good in everyday. Be Blessed.
