Tuesday, September 20, 2011

the positive thinking project

last Sunday as Jordan and I were getting reading for bed he said, "there is something i want to challenge you with this week. will you do it?" not knowing what the challenge was but trusting my husband i agreed. my challenge was to only think positive thoughts for 7 days. while i think we all need to consider what we ponder,  Jordan's challenge was concerning thoughts about myself. 

Jordan lovingly reminds me each day how much i contribute to this family and without my support and responsibilities he would not know what to do with himself. i accept these adoring words when everything is going as planned, but sometimes i forget them when times are tough. Jordan's hope was that at the end of the 7 days i would see myself and my qualities as he sees them and not be so quick to assume the negative side of everything is a result of my inadequacies. 

that was last week. as a result, i was so productive and accomplished so much on my to-do list. i was thrilled. instead of making excuses for unchecked tasks i reminded myself i am a capable, hard working, intelligent adult. instead of feeling like an idiot for forgetting my ID at the Social Security Office i just smiled and thought i will remember next time. instead of thinking the IRS is out to get me (which they are), and only sends endless mail (only if you ignore them), i told myself i was able to handle important people who use large words and that i would figure it out. with so many important tasks crossed off my list i felt liberated.by being intentional about thought modification my days were filled with lots of check boxes and a sense of accomplishment. 

Jordan told me he wasn't planning on ending the challenge after 7 days. in fact today he asked me, ready for week two of thinking positively? while there were times that i didn't chose the positive thought i did find myself less  anxious, not so quick to assume it was my fault, and overall content with myself.

2 comments:

  1. Love it Kayla! You married a good man to help you take captive every thought! I would add to this challenge that you replace the negative stuff with the thoughts that God has about you. You are loved, chosen, accepted, forgiven, free, have the mind of Christ, delighted in by God, able to do all things through Christ, etc..... Keep it up!!!

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  2. babe! i am so proud of you!

    luke's and mine challenge this week was if i remember to throw the napkins on the dishes before i put them in the sink for a whole week then he will take his qtip stash out of plane sight. ahahaha.

    but really, this is so what you needed! you are awesome! i love you

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