Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.
– Unknown
Have you ever had one of those weeks that tests your patience and character and makes you wonder if you are living in the Twilight Zone or secretly being filmed in a documentary movie, like the Truman Show? Well, last week happened to be that week for me! It consisted of a myriad of frustrating events such as my car battery dying in the rain, keys getting locked inside my car, pelvic/sciatic nerve pregnancy pain making walking very uncomfortable, my cats deciding they’d rather use a pile of laundry than use their litter box, etc. etc. etc. So, as I laid my head down last night and took a deep breath, I asked myself what lessons I could learn from that week. The quote above immediately came to mind, along with this thought:
Inevitably, life will always be filled with unpleasant, unnerving and unsettling events that can quickly turn a good day into a bad day and even lead to multiple bad days, weeks, months and years. And, when thinking about the series of frustrating events and how I allowed them to negatively manipulate my attitude, it dawned on me how important it is to guard and protect my heart and mind, for misery loves company. I’m a firm believer in the law of attraction, and as long as I remained upset and felt sorry for myself, there’s no doubt I would continue to attract more negative energy and events.
I do think it’s important to be honest and vulnerable enough to have occasional breakdowns (with ‘occasional breakdown’ being an understatement for me last week). However, it is important to look past unfortunate events and not allow them to define our character and our life. Each day we each have two choices: take the path of negativity, make excuses and act bitter — leading to a lackluster life, or walk down the path of optimism, be grateful, and exude joy — providing the ultimate life experience. What will your decision be?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Point To Ponder:
What unfortunate event have you let cripple or define you in a way that is not positively serving your life?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Action Item:
Make the decision to rid yourself of baggage and change your thoughts, words and actions so you no longer allow an event or circumstance to deprive you of your ultimate life experience.
To your health,
the iGnite blog 
I love this journal, Neissa! As I read through it this morning I thought about my life, and it is all so true. Every experience from the smallest to the greatest has defined me in some way. It seems like more times than not I have let the small, almost meaningless events begin to form who I am. I think as women it is so easy for us to dwell on our negative circumstances….at least for me it is. It amazes me now as I think back about how the small insignificant events will continue to build and grow if I don’t immediately deal with them in the right way. I definitely do not want to be held back from who I’m supposed to be and who God wants me to be. This is the perfect reminder to not let past events define who I want to become!!
Thank you for your response Jenni! I am so glad the journal resonated with you. You are so right- the smallest or greatest experiences can define our lives. I am figuring out that our responses to the challenging moments are what really define us and build our character. Thus far, this week is going much better and while I prefer to not have another week like last week, my growth opportunity is to be grateful during the bad days and not just the good ones š Thankfully, everyday is a gift and an opportunity to become better!!
This is so good. We all have been where you were last week. Unfortunately some people, both men and women stay in a funk way too much. That ‘s where we can gather around our friends and/or loved ones, offering either real or virtual hugs, smiles, friendship and prayer. Because no doubt the time will come when we we will all be in need of those very things given back to us. That’s what love, family and friends are all about. That giving and receiving comes from God. I’m so proud if you NeNee. Mom/Lanie
Yes indeed Lanie! I did not want that funk to stay around any longer and I knew if I didn’t change my attitude this week would be the same. And, I agree, our opportunity is to grow from each positive or negative experience, which will always come full circle, as there will be a time when someone else will have walked in my shoes. I then can lend them a helping hand, based on my experience. It’s the pay it forward/circle of life š Thank you so much!! ~ Neissa
Pingback: What Are You Paying Attention To? | the iGnite blog