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Value This Life

Value This Life

Helping you find more joy & beauty in everyday life

  • Be Happy
    • Help for a Good Attitude
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      • Adrenal Fatigue
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How to Have a Good Day

Blinking in the dim light, you awaken to the sound of the shower. Your husband is already up and getting ready for the day, and you lie in bed for a few minutes thinking about what your day holds.
Thoughts of all you have to do begin to crowd into your mind and you feel stress rising—and you’ve only been awake a few minutes! You look at the clock and groan inwardly, wondering how to have a good day if it’s starting out like this.

 

Sound familiar?  What kind of day do you think you’ll have when you swing your legs over the side of the bed?  Believe it or not, you can choose.

 

No, you don’t have a choice about the thoughts that pop into your head or the circumstances that come your way.  But you DO have a choice about what you do with the  thoughts and how you interpret the things that happen.

 

      • You can be annoyed because your husband left whiskers in the sink.
      • You can smile fondly because you have a man in the house.
      • You can be irritated with the two-year-old who spilled milk on the table.
      • You can patiently wipe up spilled milk, knowing this season is short.
      • You can be full of self-pity because you have to homeschool these kids.
      • You can be utterly grateful for the privilege of having your children home with you.
The difference between the two reactions is caused by:  your thoughts, your perspective, your response.

 

Your circumstances don’t change either way.  Just your thoughts.

Sometimes our circumstances are a wake-up call about our thoughts:

  • When your brother-in-law has just been killed in a car accident, you’re suddenly grateful for another day with your husband.
  • When your older son has left home for college and a new chapter of life, all of a sudden you appreciate the ten-year-old still at home.
  • When you realize that your kids will be adults most of their lives, you’re thankful for the moments you get to spend with them.
Rather than wait for a life event to shape your attitude, you can take control of your thoughts from the moment you open your eyes.


It starts with becoming aware of negative, defeating thoughts, then replacing them hope-filled, life-giving thoughts. Don’t FOCUS on problems and dread, turn your thoughts to solutions and anticipation.


If it’s one of those days when your waking thoughts tend to slant downhill, immediately–and I mean NOW–get some good input going into your mind.  Put on amazing music, listen to a life-giving podcast, speak loving words aloud, read truth from the world’s greatest success book, the Bible.


Don’t fight it, don’t try to rationalize, don’t give away your emotional energy.  Power wash your brain with a firehose of whatever things are pure, lovely and true. 


Instead of feeling helplessly carried away by your hormones and emotions, take the offensive with the power of your choice.



 

It’s easy to forget that you have the power and the choice.  It’s simple to blame what’s going on in your life.  So keep reminders and tools close by.  Post-it notes, signs, photos, your phone’s home screen, permanent marker on your hand, whatever it takes.

 

And have a good day.

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  • 5 Things I Wish I’d Known as a Young Mom5 Things I Wish I’d Known as a Young Mom
  • Quick Fix for an Overwhelmed MomQuick Fix for an Overwhelmed Mom

About Charlotte

I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie Benware says

    October 5, 2018 at 7:39 am

    Amen! Yes! I appreciate your encouraging us to focus on our heavenly father’s goodness and generous blessings and His word! So thankful for you sharing your wisdom this morning and the freedom to choose to have a day that focuses on the goodness of our Father. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:47 pm

      It’s all about our focus, isn’t it, Marie? We get to choose!

      Reply
  2. Denise Groover says

    October 5, 2018 at 8:19 am

    Thank you Charlotte! Yes, I had to learn that lesson about 8 years ago. My poor family had to put up with my crappy attitude for almost 20 years! This was a good reminder to be grateful today!

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:48 pm

      This makes me want to give you a big hug, Denise! You’re awesome!

      Reply
  3. Donnella says

    October 5, 2018 at 9:08 am

    Great reminder to put in the WORD before we allow the world in. Thank you, Charlotte.

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:49 pm

      GREAT way to put it, Donnella!

      Reply
  4. Lisa Manske says

    October 5, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Very true, Charlotte, thank you for the reminder.

    Teresa’s passing hit me really hard. I just assumed she’d be on this earth another 40 years. No one is promised a tomorrow. We have today and we can rejoice!

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:50 pm

      Oh me, too! It’s been a shock. Each day I realize a new way that she affected my life. Grateful for her influence on so many.

      Reply
  5. Diane P. says

    October 5, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Thank you for your wise words. I cried when I first read this…we had a “life event” this week. But the good news is that God had mercy, our family is in tact, and I have another chance to get things right. Attitude changed. And Post-its will go up so I don’t forget!

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:52 pm

      Wow, Diane. Those “events” can shake us. Blessings to you and your family as you navigate a new attitude. 🙂

      Reply

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Hello & Welcome!

I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU! Read More…

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valuethislife

valuethislife
Have you ever procrastinated about doing something Have you ever procrastinated about doing something, with thoughts of dread and overwhelm?😬And then done the thing,  finding that it was easier and faster to get done than you thought it would be?🥴Yeah, me too. Note to self: The dreading and putting off costs a whole lot more emotional energy than just doing the thing. 😊
In our busy ordinary lives there is a tendency to In our busy ordinary lives there is a tendency to get by with the barebones of running the household—but we skip the joy, comfort and encouragement part.   We trade an artful arrangement of beautiful things on the coffee table for a stack of newspapers and mail. The TV takes the place of a board game. Irritation with our family flavors our speech.   Sometimes this happens so slowly that we barely notice it, and then one day we realize that our home life is out of sorts.  With that realization comes the choice to fix those little things. Tidy up the clutter, get the laundry caught up, read aloud to children, and set a pretty table for an ordinary supper.  Look around your home with fresh eyes to see if it needs a reset. Even 20 minutes of tidying can make an amazing difference.❤️
Unexpected October ice storm in Oklahoma. Power ha Unexpected October ice storm in Oklahoma. Power has been out for 2+ days, grateful for a generator and hot water. I figured out that complaining doesn’t make electricity come back on. 😊
Always wanted a “mother’s ring” with birthst Always wanted a “mother’s ring” with birthstones of our children but we never found a design with 12 stones. 💍 It was a forgotten wish until I received this bracelet as a sweet gift. I can rattle off their birthdates like a boss but sometimes the size of our family still surprises me. It grew one baby at a time and I grew along with them, like all mothers do. There’s no rewind button, and we can’t go back and have a do-over. But we can be grateful during EVERY season for what we have, and I am!❤️
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Not “they that complaineth much” or “they that talk about their issues all day long.” I’m guessing that “not waiting” means sucking the life out of strength instead of renewing it. But waiting can begin in this very moment. 
•
(pic from my kitchen window)😊
Sometimes it’s a struggle getting started on a t Sometimes it’s a struggle getting started on a task, but we all love how it feels when the task is done. Maybe it would help to think about how good the result will feel before we start!
Yeah, I had to run to the store to get eggs before Yeah, I had to run to the store to get eggs before 14yo could mix up cookie dough. 
👉🏻Note to self:
Don’t wait until it’s time to do a task to check whether you have what you need to do it. Realizing you’re short on supplies or information at the last minute costs time and causes stress! Knowing that you’re prepared eases the pain of getting started. Put “check for ingredients” on your to-do list!
How much life do we waste worrying and fretting an How much life do we waste worrying and fretting and dreading....when the thing we’re upset about IS GOING TO GET DONE?! It’s going to happen, it’s all going to work out, and we probably won’t even remember it by next week. Sometimes it helps to remember that!💕
We bought a house built in the 80’s and have bee We bought a house built in the 80’s and have been doing that fixer upper thing. Sorry for the blurry “before” but just think “black hole” and you’ll get the idea.😂 Amazing what paint and decor can do for a space. Sold the old mantel on FB Marketplace for $60 and bought the unfinished new one for $45. Found the print in my garage, lol. Mirror from Hobby Lobby. Sorta reminds me of my life pre-Jesus. Dark to light. Old to new. Same basic human, transformed with light and love.❤️
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  • How to Have a Good Day

Looking For Something?

valuethislife

valuethislife
Have you ever procrastinated about doing something Have you ever procrastinated about doing something, with thoughts of dread and overwhelm?😬And then done the thing,  finding that it was easier and faster to get done than you thought it would be?🥴Yeah, me too. Note to self: The dreading and putting off costs a whole lot more emotional energy than just doing the thing. 😊
In our busy ordinary lives there is a tendency to In our busy ordinary lives there is a tendency to get by with the barebones of running the household—but we skip the joy, comfort and encouragement part.   We trade an artful arrangement of beautiful things on the coffee table for a stack of newspapers and mail. The TV takes the place of a board game. Irritation with our family flavors our speech.   Sometimes this happens so slowly that we barely notice it, and then one day we realize that our home life is out of sorts.  With that realization comes the choice to fix those little things. Tidy up the clutter, get the laundry caught up, read aloud to children, and set a pretty table for an ordinary supper.  Look around your home with fresh eyes to see if it needs a reset. Even 20 minutes of tidying can make an amazing difference.❤️
Unexpected October ice storm in Oklahoma. Power ha Unexpected October ice storm in Oklahoma. Power has been out for 2+ days, grateful for a generator and hot water. I figured out that complaining doesn’t make electricity come back on. 😊
Always wanted a “mother’s ring” with birthst Always wanted a “mother’s ring” with birthstones of our children but we never found a design with 12 stones. 💍 It was a forgotten wish until I received this bracelet as a sweet gift. I can rattle off their birthdates like a boss but sometimes the size of our family still surprises me. It grew one baby at a time and I grew along with them, like all mothers do. There’s no rewind button, and we can’t go back and have a do-over. But we can be grateful during EVERY season for what we have, and I am!❤️
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Not “they that complaineth much” or “they that talk about their issues all day long.” I’m guessing that “not waiting” means sucking the life out of strength instead of renewing it. But waiting can begin in this very moment. 
•
(pic from my kitchen window)😊
Sometimes it’s a struggle getting started on a t Sometimes it’s a struggle getting started on a task, but we all love how it feels when the task is done. Maybe it would help to think about how good the result will feel before we start!
Yeah, I had to run to the store to get eggs before Yeah, I had to run to the store to get eggs before 14yo could mix up cookie dough. 
👉🏻Note to self:
Don’t wait until it’s time to do a task to check whether you have what you need to do it. Realizing you’re short on supplies or information at the last minute costs time and causes stress! Knowing that you’re prepared eases the pain of getting started. Put “check for ingredients” on your to-do list!
How much life do we waste worrying and fretting an How much life do we waste worrying and fretting and dreading....when the thing we’re upset about IS GOING TO GET DONE?! It’s going to happen, it’s all going to work out, and we probably won’t even remember it by next week. Sometimes it helps to remember that!💕
We bought a house built in the 80’s and have bee We bought a house built in the 80’s and have been doing that fixer upper thing. Sorry for the blurry “before” but just think “black hole” and you’ll get the idea.😂 Amazing what paint and decor can do for a space. Sold the old mantel on FB Marketplace for $60 and bought the unfinished new one for $45. Found the print in my garage, lol. Mirror from Hobby Lobby. Sorta reminds me of my life pre-Jesus. Dark to light. Old to new. Same basic human, transformed with light and love.❤️
Follow on Instagram
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