I Can Do Anything Good

It's amazing what our kids can teach us about how we should live life. Imagine if we started each day like four-year-old Jessica does here.* What could we accomplish?

Joel Osteen is quoted at saying, "Choosing to be positive and have a great attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life."

There's a lot to this quote. In the over 15 years I've worked with children and coached them through dealing with challenges, the one thing I constantly find myself saying is, "You can't control what someone else does to you, but you can control how you react to it."


The same goes for us as we grow up. We often cannot control our circumstances, but the attitude with which we handle life's lot affects us deeper than we know. How often do you wake up not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Is the space between the covers really that comfortable, or are we not approaching each day with Jessica's infectious "can do" attitude?

Some people keep a gratitude journal; some spend an hour each morning writing what Julia Cameron calls Morning Pages. If you can do that, wonderful! For those of us who need something in a smaller time frame, I challenge you to journal the following each morning before you get out of bed:

1. Three things for which you are grateful: If you have trouble, start with your breath. Literally, be grateful for your breath, and work from there.
2. Three things you like about yourself: These can be physical, intellectual or characteristic. Try to find three new things each day that you like about yourself. Imagine how you'll feel about yourself at the end of just one week!
3. Three intentions for the day: What are you going to accomplish today? These can be small tasks or large things that you have been putting off due to fear. Setting these intentions clearly will help you accomplish your goals.

I would love if you would share your experiences below. If you are comfortable sharing what you include in your morning journal, I welcome it. If not, I would still love to hear the results of your efforts. Be well, and remember YOU can do anything good!

* Needless to say, my favorite line in the video is, "I like my Allisons." (If you read the description on the YouTube posting, you will see that her aunt's name is Allison, but, because she pluralized this, I know that she knows ALL Allisons are great!)