Happy Anniversary Be Attitude Readers!
I started this blog a year ago to encourage and inspire you to become the best version of you. In hopes that once you realize you alone have control of your own attitude, then you can begin to center your minds to live life intentionally and create success in every area of your life. Thank you for joining me on this journey to improve our attitudes.
Do you remember how this year started out? Do you even remember what your New Year’s Resolutions were? Did you achieve any of them? I am sure you had good intentions, otherwise, why even set a goal. I am certain that the ones you did achieve were because you had every intention of doing so, you had a plan, you worked that plan, and the results speak for themselves. You did some things on purpose, deliberately, relentlessly. But maybe life happened and you did not hit the ground running at the pace you expected.
The new year often starts off with great expectations. Then something happens as the weeks unfolds, something good, bad, ideal, painful, unbelievable, or unanticipated. Twenty-twenty is, was, that kind of year for many. No one dreamt of COVID-19 wreaking havoc all over the world. This pandemic was no one’s plan to be sheltered in place, void of social interaction, soaring unemployment, financial hardships and hundreds of thousands infected and deprived of life.
Imagine for a minute if you knew then what you know now. What would you have done differently? What would you have said to a loved one? Where would you have made a different decision? If you were more intentional, how would your finances, marriage, health, grades, career, or faith look today? One thing I was reminded of this year, and that is…time is non-refundable, so use it wisely. Your intentions lead to behavior, which lead to habits, which lead to character, which leads to destiny.
I have noticed that the busier I am, the more intentional I must be. Or… things will not get done. Normally, there is a lot of things in play to arrange on my December calendar. Decorating the church. Dinner invitations. Christmas gift giving budget. Girlfriend lunch dates. Clean out the clutter of old toys and books. Design and address holiday cards. Finally change over the closet wardrobe before winter hits. Calls to long distant family and friends. Using up vacation time. Making every room festive in the house. Baking for visitors and cookie exchanges. Volunteering and serving my community. School celebrations filled with cheer. Hosting hungry out of town loved ones.
While this pandemic season was not forecasted, people are deeply longing for togetherness and are not taking their relationships for granted. Consequently, most of us are planning to be more intentional with the people we love. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Michelle Leyman says "the best thing about the holidays (other than the food, of course), is the chance to gather with friends and family. With COVID-19, many of our celebrations look different this year. It is completely normal to feel depressed, anxious, or lonely because you are separated from your loved ones."
Here are a few tips she recommends helping you cope (and maybe even reduce your stress):
Be kind to yourself.
What we are going through is unprecedented. Do not beat yourself up if you are having a difficult time with it.
Stay connected to your loved ones.
Start and be active in group chats, and keep the conversation going with food, photos, jokes, discussing the television shows you are watching.
Be intentional about doing things that bring you joy this holiday season.
Whether it is doing a virtual game night, doing an at-home spa day, or sitting in your pajamas and binging “Friends,” there is no wrong way to celebrate.
Pay it forward.
Do something nice for someone else, it really will help you feel more connected. Pay for someone else’s coffee when you get takeout, volunteer at the local food pantry, or donate to a local community program.
Keep a gratitude journal.
Writing down what you are thankful for will help you see the light in moments of darkness.
Attitude Adjustment
Ready to become intentional?
I never get on the road without the intention that I know exactly where I am going. Even if I have travelled someplace before, I make a plan, which way to go this time, have a backup route, when to stop and eat or get gas. That’s what intention is, what one intends to do, otherwise it’s an accident. Your life is road test and how successful you are depends largely on how you plan to get to your destination.
Think about how you can map out your intention in your day-to-day list of things to do, places to go and people to see?
Personally, I will start …
Watching where I spend my money to be a greater steward
Watching what I pray about
Watching my commitments to avoid overload
Increasing my investment in my marriage
Being mindful of how/what I speak to my adulting children
Eating like healthy is the new wealthy