“He who has not Christmas in his heart
will never find it under a tree.”
~Roy L. Smith,
(from Joy to the World, 2003; Hallmark Books) 

And as always, don’t forget to start your day with a heartfelt: “Something great is going to happen today… I can’t wait to see what it is!”

And when ending your day ask yourself: “What is one more thing I can do to make today matter?”

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“This is the beginning of a new day … ”
~from a little orange slip of paper in my daughter’s take-home folder

Good morning!

One night while I was emptying out my then fifth-grade daughter’s
take-home folder, a little orange piece of paper fluttered to the
ground. I picked up the small square and read it. Here is what was
written:

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to
use as you will. You can waste it or use it to your advantage. What
you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your
life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in
its place is something that you left behind… let it be something
you’re proud of.

I don’t know where the piece of paper came from and I forgot to ask
my daughter before she headed off for school the next morning. I
guess where it came from doesn’t matter as much as the message it
carries. How blessed we are to have THIS new day. Let’s make the
most of it. Let’s exchange a day of our lives toward building a
legacy of hope and happiness.

Your Turn:
Take a moment to think about the wonderful gift of today. What can
you do to make the most of it? When tomorrow comes, what gift will
you have left with today?

Your Affirmation:
Today I leave something behind, and it is something I am proud of.

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 ”Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.”-Mark Twain

 Good morning! When my daughter was in the difficult school years featured in movies like Mean Girls she lashed out at a bully who had been picking on her. When I asked her why, she explained she was following the golden rule “treating others like they were treating her.” I explained that although that is how much of society lives, she had the golden rule backward. I explained that she was half-right. If the bully was practicing the golden rule, then she wouldn’t pick on Sammy in the first place-but just because the bully picked on her, that didn’t make it right to lash back.

Then I uttered all those wise statements that we get to say as moms like, “If a friend told you to jump off a bridge, would you?” and, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” My daughter, being the inquisitive child she is, wanted to know how far the bridge was from the water (in case it would be fun, like a diving board.) She also wanted to know if two wrongs don’t equal a right, what they do equal, because in algebra two negatives make a positive.

I felt myself quickly losing ground in the conversation. I switched paths completely. I asked Sammy, “Do you want to be like this other girl? Is she a mentor?” My daughter rolled her eyes, appalled at the thought. I explained that one of the basic success principles is to identify what qualities you desire, find someone who has them, and emulate them. I didn’t have to go any further-she understood the outcome of emulating the actions of this girl. Yet she still seemed troubled. “But that isn’t fair. Why do I have to lead by example if other girls aren’t?”

I asked Sammy to imagine a world where we all treated each other like other people treated us, instead of treating others how we want to be treated. We quickly saw a war-filled world, with harsh words and hurt feelings. “Someone has to find a better way,” I told her. She seemed ready to end the conversation, although I could see her mind was spinning.

The next day she came home from school and told me she and another girl had encouraged the start of an anti-bully group in their school. The group has been ongoing for three years and has dramatically reduced the bullying challenges of the school.

When today’s quote came across my screen, I wished I would have had it handy during my conversation with my daughter. Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest. Often times we “do right” not by following the rules, but by forging new paths where they are desperately needed. We “do right” because we gratify and astonish others-and ourselves. A life filled with gratitude and astonishment is a much better life than one where we point fingers and live a backward golden rule.

Your Turn: How do you live the golden rule in your own life? Do you take the higher road and “do right” even when it is the most challenging choice?

Today’s Affirmation: Every day, I make the right choices at every juncture.

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“If you have time to whine and complain about something, then you have the time to do something about it.”
-Anthony J. D’Angelo

Good morning! I don’t know about you, but I have made a few observations. (1) A lot of people like to complain-they almost seem addicted to complaining, chaos or negativity. (2) Often we are too busy to just “stop” and be thankful!

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, with its absence of stressors like presents and high expectations. It reminds us all to STOP and celebrate what we have instead of what we want.

I think many of us could benefit from a few more “Thanksgivings” throughout the year. In our home, we began celebrating the twentieth of each month (chosen at random) as Thankfulness day. Then we even prepare a special dinner and spend our time thinking of all we are grateful. Sammy and I take turns being the designated “journal keeper,” writing down each gratitude, who said it, and the date. Then, on Thanksgiving Day, we share our “Family Gratitude Journal.”

Your Turn: Whether you are a family of one or 100, designate one night a month to celebrating thankfulness. I have found when I anticipate recording items I am thankful for I appreciate more and more each day. We tend to find what we look for-begin looking for life’s blessings.

Today’s Affirmation: I am thankful for today.

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“It isn’t how hard you kick — but how you kick.” Samantha Noel
(who is celebrating her 13th birthday today! AHH! A TEENAGER! Stop in and leave a comment to wish her a Happy one)

Good Morning! When Samantha was eleven-years-old she participated in several camp programs through the Milwaukee Public Museum. Group activities and group sports were held each afternoon.

Here is an entry I wrote one night after camp that is a personal “Sammy-favorite.”

I have been traveling for a week so when I landed tonight I picked up Sammy for a “girls’ night” to catch up. She was detailing the camp and the different students and the daily structure of the program.

Sammy has become more and more athletic, although she is not what I would call “naturally athletic.” However she has learned sports are much like any area of life–part of it is natural talent and the other part is what you do with what you have. With that mentality, she has learned to excel..

In this particular camp there was a girl who was struggling with group sports and group sport activities. During kickball she would often miss the ball completely or just punt a few feet and was constantly “out” without making it to base.

Sammy pulled her aside and said, “You don’t have to be naturally good at sports or super athletic to be a good player. It isn’t about kicking the ball hard or with force, but with confidence. Bring confidence to your kick and the ball will respond.” (In case you were wondering-this is an exact quote. Sammy has an amazing vocabulary and delivery. While I was traveling I asked her during a phone conversation why she was upset, as she sounded bothered, and she said, “Mother I am upset about multiple issues.”)

Back to our kickball story – so this girl went up to kick and took Sammy’s advice. She kicked the ball hard enough to make it all the way to second base. Then she ran with confidence on the subsequent teammate kicks and made it to home-plate for her first time.

Your Turn: Where in your life have you been thinking you need some “secret to success” or special talent to achieve the results you desire? Try following an 11-year-old’s advice. Approach your goal with confidence– you will be pleasantly surprised at how it responds. Use confidence and positive reinforcement to overcome the opinions of others and shine anyway… then make it to “home plate” for the goal of your choice.

Today’s Affirmation: I approach my actions and goals with confidence.

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“People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln 

Recently my daughter had her second band concert. Her band teacher likes to highlight each student throughout the course of the concert and often chooses “rounds” so that each student, or a small group of students, can play 8-16 measures of a song.

The band as a whole had made wonderful progress since their first concert, when they had only had their instruments a few months. That was an enjoyable but often squeaky evening. The second, concert, four months after the first, featured wonderful sounds and some great jazz and blues favorites.

During the small group playing, I noticed that my daughter had a very strong tone to her instrument. There weren’t any squeaks, no mistakes and her playing was smooth and deliberate in her few short measures. Many children did well (all did better than I would have done!) but some did not play as loud or as confidently in front of the packed auditorium.

On the way home I asked Samantha what helped her do so well. She said, “I know I have practiced and know the music as I ever will. So I don’t focus on that or what will happen next. Instead I focus on positive things. I think about the neat birthday banner the kids at school put on my locker. I think about our vacation.”

“Do you think about those things while you play?” I asked, intrigued by her explanation.

“Nope. I think about positive things right before I start each song. When I play I only think about letting the positive out.”

I smiled as I continued driving. Our kids often have so many words of wisdom when we are curious enough to ask and slow down long enough to listen.

Your Turn: Where in your life has uncertainty hampered your ability to do and be your best? Release the grip of uncertainty by preparing, planning and then “letting the positive out.”

Today’s Affirmation: Today I focus on “letting the positive out.”

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“Don’t compromise yourself, you’re all that you’ve got.”~ Janis Joplin

God morning! As most of you know, I have a spirited and spunky 12-year-old daughter who has inherited my positive attitude and self-belief.

One day about two years ago I was exhausted and decided to take a quick nap. Sammy asked if she could come upstairs and read while I napped. Unable to fall asleep right away, I began doing a Soduko puzzle while she read. I have been working through the “Fiendish level” puzzles in a book a girlfriend gave me at Christmas. Ten or fifteen minutes later, Sammy asked how I was doing on my fiendish puzzle. “I don’t know kiddo,” I replied. “This is a tough one, I may not be able to solve it.”

Sammy replied with: “Who are you and what have you done with my mother!” She continued, “The Mom I know can solve any Soduko puzzle–even the fiendish.”

I smiled to myself and solved the puzzle in the next 10 minutes. Then I tossed and turned as I often do when trying to fall asleep. Sammy must have noticed because she said, “What are you doing, Momma?”

“Trying to sleep; I often have a hard time falling asleep though, my mind just keeps spinning.”

“Well just turn it off,” Sammy stated simply.

“How do I do that?”

“You just do,” she said matter-of-factly. “You think about nothing. If you believe that you can think about nothing and turn your mind off, then you can. That’s what I do.” I think she could tell that I wasn’t convinced. “Come on, try it,” she said. “Is your mind clear now?” I paused for a moment. “Yes, it’s clear Sammy.”

“Okay so don’t think about anything.” A moment later “Are you thinking about anything?”

“I am thinking that I am thinking nothing.”

Sammy laughed. “Okay, try this. Imagine a night sky with beautiful stars. Just look up at the stars in your mind and get lost in them.” I did as she instructed, keeping my focus on the stars and their patterns.

“Are you thinking anything now Momma?”

Well, actually, she had to tell me after I woke up that she had asked that question– as I had already fallen asleep.

Your Turn:
That day Sammy reminded me of how important the “little things” we say to ourselves are. She also reiterated the power of the mind. It will accomplish what we believe it can accomplish. I thought the story went nicely with today’s quote. “Don’t compromise yourself, you’re all that you’ve got.” Big doubts, fears, and insecurities are born from smaller ones. When we keep affirming the positive to ourselves, we diminish the emotional and physical energy that is drained from limiting beliefs. Today, be cognizant of the messages you send yourself. Replace “I cannot” with “I can.” (And try Sammy’s resting exercise–works like a charm!)

 Today’s Affirmation:
Each day my self-belief grows.

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Slow down you move to fast, you gotta make the good times last.
from the song Feeling Groovy

Good morning! When I was a little girl I learned the lyrics to “Feeling Groovy” in choir and we sang the song for a spring concert. It has such wonderful lyrics and a catchy tune that I have retained many of the lyrics and occasionally find myself humming them.

Earlier this winter we had a really “wet snow” in Wisconsin. The roads were snow covered and quite icy and as I made my 20-mike-trek home on the freeway, the top traffic speed was 20 mph.

When I got home, my daughter wanted to go out to eat as we had planned the night be-fore. The little Mexican restaurant we often frequent is about fifteen minutes away on a non-snowy day. Given the number of accidents I had seen on the freeway, I didn’t think it was a good idea to go out in these conditions.

“But we have four-wheel drive Mama,” she pleaded, puffing out her lip in a pout that must have taken years of practicing in front of a mirror to perfect. I’ve never been able to resist her “pouty lip” for long.

“It will take us almost an hour to get there,” I tried to reason. She didn’t care. I told her I would only drive on the back roads. I am a great snow-driver, but I don’t necessarily trust everyone else on the road, so I decided there wouldn’t be much traffic on the back roads.

We bundled up and set out on our journey. The back roads hadn’t been plowed yet, so we sang “dashing through the snow,” as we made our way to the restaurant in a little less than my predicted hour.

After an enjoyable dinner, we made the return trek home. By now the snow had begun to accumulate rapidly. As I turned onto the road that leads to our home, I was taken ab-ack by the beauty of the snow resting on the trees. It was one of those “blanket snows” that made everything look like it was outlined in lace. I pointed it out to Sammy and we drove even slower to enjoy the beauty to be found in each snow-covered form of nature.

A warm front was moving in the next day and we knew the snow would begin to melt.,  We decided to take some extra time to stand outside and enjoy the “lacy wonder,” knowing by morning it would be gone.

Interestingly, I always find myself in a cheerful mood when the Wisconsin snow falls. Many people aren’t fond of the snow, and hate driving in the “white stuff.” Not me. I find myself humming while veering down the roads.  During the wet snow it occurred to me why I like the snow. In my daily hustle and bustle, it easy to miss the beauty of the trees and nature that surrounds me. The snow forces me to slow down. As soon as I slow down, I can see all the beauty that surrounds me more clearly.

Your Turn:
Slow down today. Notice how slowing down helps you see more beauty in life.  Do as the Feeling Groovy song lyrics suggest and “make the good times last.”

Today’s Affirmation:
I absorb and appreciate all the beauty around me.

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Me: “I’ve had a long day, Sammy.”

My daughter (at age 10): “Acutally – all of your days are the same length, Mother.

It is just your perception that is changing.”

Good morning! One day in 2005, I arrived home from my office wiped out. The week had been relentlessly hectic and challenging, both personally and professionally. Sammy, who was 10 at the time, ran to greet me. She was not challenge-wrought. She was speaking excitedly with each sentence hitting a higher octave than the one before. Quickly, she rattled off an ambitious list of things she wanted to do in the few hours before bed.

“I’ve had a long day, Sammy.”

She replied with the simple sentence I shared as today’s quote: “Actually, all of your days are the same length, Mother. It is just your perception that is changing.”

As she skipped off toward the kitchen, I couldn’t help but smile. My daughter seems to have inherited a similar interest in how people think, what people think, and why they think as they do. And in this instance, her 10-year-old mind was very much on target. My day couldn’t have been any longer than the one before, or the one that would come next. My perception of what was within that day was overwhelming me – not the day itself.

Her words reminded me that my preception of life, not life itself, was the source of my trouble. Instead of dwelling, I quickly adapted my thinking. Instead of being “wiped out” by the day, I decided to appreciate all I had accomplished emotionally and professionally during the day. (And to go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep!) I then went and found Sam and asked her what she wanted to do first from her list.

Your Turn:
On your “tough days” appreciate all you have faced and accomplished. Reward yourself with a positive thought and a bit of extra self-attention and care.

Your affirmation:

“Nothing is either good or bad – but our thinking makes it so…” (Shakespeare)

I choose to think in ways that support and uplift me.

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