"Love life and see good days"
I loved this message shared at a woman's conference I attended a month or so ago. The original focus of 1 Peter 3:10 has to do with evil speaking, so though it was taken a little out of context, I still love the choice of words used here. There is no mention in this scripture of having good days, but instead, seeing good days. One of the strategies that the presenter encouraged us to practice in our effort to "see" more good days is to "give our heart great experience." More word choice that I fell in love with. Don't you love that? Give your heart great experience. Since hearing this thought I've been keeping a mental list of things that I do, or can do, to give my heart great experience. Funny thing is, in my effort to "see" more good days and sneak in things that make my heart rejoice, I haven't had to do much "sneaking" really... just more "seeing." Life is so full of great experiences for the heart if we'll just see them.
I see a good day...(no order here):
...when I pause and give my children focused attention. These are good days. They are less whiny. I am more happy... and even if they are not less whiny I am more happy. When I set my "to do" list aside for a moment and give my children my full focus, I see them for the miracles that they are and I am more in tune to what they need from me as their mother. I see a good day.
...when I fill up with good music. Music makes my heart swell with gladness! :) Oh, I so miss my piano!
...when I try to help someone. For me, helping someone else never fails to make an average day, or even a lousy day, a good day.
...when I clean. Cleaning gives my heart great experience. Okay, wait. I need to rephrase that. The aftermath of cleaning...well, not even that, really, because with kids the aftermath of one clean room usually adds up to a different room destroyed and can too frequently end in only frustration. Let's face it, there are many days a whole room just doesn't stay clean, so instead I've been working on trying to "see" the clean table, or the clean laundry basket, or the clean desk, or maybe just a nice and fresh and clean pillowcase. And that, really, that can be a great experience if I'll just "see" it.
...when I spend time in nature. And even if I am not "in nature," when I pause and take a moment to "see" what does surround me, I see that Heavenly Father's creations can be found and enjoyed everywhere.
...when I laugh. Laughing helps me to see good days. It's easy to turn an upside down day right side up when I can laugh about it.
...when I create something. Anything. Whether it be a craft or a meal or simply writing down a story that I have not yet written down, participating in creating something gives my heart great experience.
...when I pray.
...when I hear others' stories. Whether it be through scriptures or in person or in a book or on a blog, I love to hear about the struggles and triumphs and testimonies of others. As I take in stories, I am not only in awe at our Heavenly Father's awareness and love for each and every one of us, I am able to love others more. A good story makes for seeing a good day.
...when I keep a smile on my face. My grandma used to always say, "fake it till you make it." It works. A smile helps me see a good day.
...........................and there's certainly more, but let's not forget sleep. Sleep also helps me "see" a good day! Goodnight and to "seeing" good days tomorrow!
I see a good day...(no order here):
...when I pause and give my children focused attention. These are good days. They are less whiny. I am more happy... and even if they are not less whiny I am more happy. When I set my "to do" list aside for a moment and give my children my full focus, I see them for the miracles that they are and I am more in tune to what they need from me as their mother. I see a good day.
...when I fill up with good music. Music makes my heart swell with gladness! :) Oh, I so miss my piano!
...when I try to help someone. For me, helping someone else never fails to make an average day, or even a lousy day, a good day.
...when I clean. Cleaning gives my heart great experience. Okay, wait. I need to rephrase that. The aftermath of cleaning...well, not even that, really, because with kids the aftermath of one clean room usually adds up to a different room destroyed and can too frequently end in only frustration. Let's face it, there are many days a whole room just doesn't stay clean, so instead I've been working on trying to "see" the clean table, or the clean laundry basket, or the clean desk, or maybe just a nice and fresh and clean pillowcase. And that, really, that can be a great experience if I'll just "see" it.
...when I spend time in nature. And even if I am not "in nature," when I pause and take a moment to "see" what does surround me, I see that Heavenly Father's creations can be found and enjoyed everywhere.
...when I laugh. Laughing helps me to see good days. It's easy to turn an upside down day right side up when I can laugh about it.
...when I create something. Anything. Whether it be a craft or a meal or simply writing down a story that I have not yet written down, participating in creating something gives my heart great experience.
...when I pray.
...when I hear others' stories. Whether it be through scriptures or in person or in a book or on a blog, I love to hear about the struggles and triumphs and testimonies of others. As I take in stories, I am not only in awe at our Heavenly Father's awareness and love for each and every one of us, I am able to love others more. A good story makes for seeing a good day.
...when I keep a smile on my face. My grandma used to always say, "fake it till you make it." It works. A smile helps me see a good day.
...........................and there's certainly more, but let's not forget sleep. Sleep also helps me "see" a good day! Goodnight and to "seeing" good days tomorrow!
Comments