Aug 10
24
Positively Empowered!
School is back in session. The summer seemed to pass so quickly. So many things were left undone or unfinished. So many people I wanted to visit; so many lists of tasks to complete. Now, we are back in the middle of school and schedules and extra activities. I have figured out that I have two options: I can dwell on the incomplete or I can look at the good things we did accomplish.
This morning, as I was trying to decide how I felt, I turned on the tv for company. My daughter had to be at school at 4:45 a.m. and my son has a church class at 5:45 a.m. (This is one of the many times I am thankful for a good husband who carries more than his share of the load.) As I scanned the channels, I stopped on a program called “Power of Attitude” taught by Dr. Dale Henry. I love listening to his perspectives. He mixes humor and his real life experiences to teach us life lessons. One of the educational channels frequently carries programs he has recorded.
This morning, he talked about how we can change our attitudes. I have frequent migraine headaches and I find that I have to pay attention to my attitude when I am in a headache cycle. This one seems to be caused by the weather. So, as a good student, I decided to take a walk down memory lane and look at the things we did accomplish.
The most important thing that happened was a wonderful family activity where we travelled back in time together. We spent time getting to know each other and supporting each other in our new adventures lying ahead. Most of all, we just loved each other.
Time together is empowering. I spoke with my oldest daughter recently about the calm that has come to her children as a result of our time together. We all feel empowered to “slay the dragons” (the boys will like this phrase) or climb the mountains of our lives when our families stick together, support and love each other.
Last week, my sister had all of us over after church. Her oldest son had just returned from serving a mission for two years. It was a glorious reunion! We were blessed as we talked, and laughed and cried tears of joy. I was empowered by the thought my sister gave to me as I left her home.
She told me that she thought of me as she was reading a scripture about hope. She said that I always say, “things will get better after we get through _____(fill in the blank).” How right she is! But, I had never thought about my being hopeful. She pointed that out to me. Thanks Suz. Thanks to my family for empowering me. How grateful I am for family and friends.
See, when we look for the positive instead of the negative, we are empowered.
