Conversations in Your Own Head

 

Do you talk to yourself?  Maybe not literally out loud, but do you have conversations with yourself in your own head?  I know I do, and I have to believe that most people do.  Is there a voice in your head that you cannot help but listen to? How do those conversations go?  Are they positive, encouraging and uplifting? Or are they negative, downgrading and discouraging.  All too often for me they can be the latter. 

 

Why are we so hard on ourselves? Maybe not everyone is. Those that have mastered the ability to be positive and self-assuring in their own minds are likely to be more successful and maybe happier all around; It is not an easy task.  We should understand that we need to be our own best friend, our own greatest supporter and biggest fan.  Why not? 

 

I am not suggesting arrogance here. I am suggesting that we need to be positive about ourselves in our own minds. We need to talk ourselves up, be encouraging.  Nothing but good can come from that. There are plenty of negative influences out there today. We do not need another one in our own head!  Listen to your positive self in your own mind! 

Some days are diamonds. Some days are stones.

 

Some days are in fact diamonds. Those are the days when all seems to be right with the world. Others are more like rough uncut stones when nothing seems to go smoothly. Most days actually fall somewhere in between. There are rough spots during the day offset by bright spots at other times.  Some days we even have opportunities to turn stones into diamonds. For the most part we learn to take the good with the bad and roll with the flow, knowing that there are always more diamonds to come. Maybe not tomorrow or next week, but there are more days of diamonds. By faith, strength, discipline and wisdom we endure the stones and rejoice in the diamonds. 

Remember too, the stones will never totally go away…

Wisdom

 

The MMM has often addressed wisdom and our ongoing pursuit of it. Wisdom is a permanent fixture on my prayer list.  I have also written about how impatient we are as humans.  Impatience and wisdom don’t go well together.  Consider the following which addresses both points…

 

Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate.  Wisdom is proven over time.  Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best.  Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom.  The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. ¹

 

Be wary of those who seek to have their own wisdom acknowledged before it can be proven over time.  Remember to be patient with your own understanding of wisdom. 

 

Have a blessed week.

 

1 – Taken from: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Some days are diamonds. Some days are stones.

 

Some days are in fact diamonds. Those are the days when all seems to be right with the world. Others are more like rough uncut stones when nothing seems to go smoothly. Most days actually fall somewhere in between. There are rough spots during the day offset by bright spots at other times.  Some days we even have opportunities to turn stones into diamonds. For the most part we learn to take the good with the bad and roll with the flow, knowing that there are always more diamonds to come. Maybe not tomorrow or next week, but there are more days of diamonds. By faith, strength, discipline and wisdom we endure the stones and rejoice in the diamonds. 

Remember too, the stones will never totally go away…

Positive Feedback

 

Are you complimentary when you receive good service?  Do you provide a lift to someone by acknowledging their smile or positive outlook?  You might be surprised at the difference you can make in someone’s day by simply being complimentary. 

 

Here are just a few…

·         When a hotel clerk greets you with a smile and helpful attitude make sure they know you noticed. 

·         When the dry cleaner’s employee is prompt and professional, genuinely thank them. 

·         When your dining waitstaff is especially efficient give them a compliment and maybe even a larger tip. 

People that serve others for a living are often mistreated. Can you do your part to change that?  If they are doing a really exceptional job, go out of your way to let their boss know.  Positive feedback is a great motivator and can change someone’s day, maybe even their future!

 

Pay someone a genuine compliment today and have a blessed week!