Choose Your Attitude!

I started school last Thursday and have completed my first assignment. I have really enjoyed reading the books, and then putting my thoughts to paper. It has been exciting to unlock and unleash the academic side of Sonja. Up until this point my thoughts have been on Selah and her day to day schedule. I guess I have been in a different kind of learning environment in that I have been immersed in motherhood, which is the best life in the world. I am thankful that I still get to stay home with Selah each day, it is beyond a blessing to me to be with my precious daughter all day. However, I was actually going through withdrawals by not being able to challenge myself intellectually.
Our first assignment's theme discusses stepping out of the mundaneness of our day to day tasks and take a risk. Sometimes taking a risk is less risky than if we stay inside our box. God has equipped us with the ability and the know how to strive for more and better ourselves, let us take advantage of that. Another point that the assignment emphasizes is that we can choose our attitude in any given situation. Are we going to be grumpy, disrespectful, or bitter? or are we going to choose to be happy, energetic, caring, and supportive? It is time to stop rationalizing our situation or making excuses for our bad behavior. Choosing your attitude means to not blame someone else for the way we feel, rather take responsibility. Although, outside influences do impact our attitude, we actually choose how we react. It doesn't mean to have a smiling face all of the time, because sometimes sorrow or anger needs to be expressed. We're not robots and we're not perfect. However, be aware of our emotions and the way they reflect on our face or through our body language. Our attitude most definitely affects others! If someone is expressing discontent be supportive and caring, rather than doubt their situation. Realize that everyone goes through difficult seasons in his or her life, don't think you are the only one. So, when you get out of bed each day take inventory of where you are, make a conscious choice of how you are going to feel and the attitude you are going to have around your co-workers and family. I got some great advice from someone before Dan and I got married, but it can be applied to any relationship, "Work more on changing yourself than the other person." The world will not change until we work on ourselves first, and we cannot work on ourselves without the help of Christ. So, this is the challenge for my own life, and I challenge everyone who reads this as well. Have a great Tuesday!