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Value This Life

Value This Life

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3 Words Can Change Your Life

What if you wanted to be a better person and there was something so simple that anyone could do it, and it would make a measurable, tangible difference in your life? What if there was a way to work towards who you want to be and what you want to accomplish that wouldn’t add guilt and pressure to your daily routine? It’s possible if you stay consistent with this life-changing method, and you’ll find that three words can change your life.

There are lots of books, articles, and podcasts out there on goal setting and personal development, but most of them are geared towards the business world. Some of them have systems and checklists and daily tasks that are so detailed and complicated, they would never work for me. Not only that, for a long time it didn’t occur to me to set goals for who I wanted to be as a person and as a wife and mother. Goal setting and personal development seemed related only to business goals, organization, and time management-type topics.

It wasn’t until I stumbled upon this method of “goal setting” that I saw real progress in just a few weeks. Now before we go any further, I realize that this is simplified and it won’t be the end-all for everyone. I only know One Person who is that. But I’ve experienced the power of this simple practice, so here it is:

  1. Choose an area of your life, such as your interactions with others.
  2. Choose three words that describe who you want your future self to be in interactions with others.
  3. Continually review and apply those words.

As an example, my three words for this area are Connect, Forgive and Serve.

  1. Connect is important for me because I can get so busy or focused that I fail to notice or interact with people. When faced with perceived rejection I also tend to withdraw. So Connect is a powerful reminder to be present, to get over myself and encourage someone else, and to show physical affection for my family.
  2. The word Forgive has changed my life. And I didn’t consider myself an unforgiving or bitter person. But I had some relationships in which I was judging, blaming and feeling hurt based on past experiences. When I began to speak “forgiveness and love,” and imagine sending those relationships forgiveness and love across the miles, it changed me. I thought/spoke it whenever I would have previously judged someone’s intentions or choices. I thought/spoke it when before, I would have assumed the worst about how they thought of me. Basically that word Forgive drew me to prayer and forgiveness and love continually INSTEAD of judgment, criticism and unforgiveness through reliving past hurts, assuming someone’s intentions and speaking curses over them. Speaking critically about someone is pretty much the same as cursing them. Words matter, oh man they do. So now instead I’m speaking life over them. It changed me, and it also changed and is changing the relationships. Words of life and love have traveled the miles and softened hearts.
  3. Serve is a word that redirects my self-focus and fear. When I want to make excuses for not taking care of responsibilities, when I’m tempted to put off doing things that will encourage others, when I start thinking it’s scary to put myself out there and be vulnerable, Serve reminds me of my purpose.

I have made real progress in my interactions with others by focusing on these three words. They inform my decisions and remind me of how I want to show up in life.

I would recommend that you choose no more than three areas of life at a time to do this with. If you have a great need in one area of your life, you could get more specific about the area (such as marriage or motherhood), but choose only three words for the area. It sounds counter-intuitive but choosing many words will dilute the effect. Three words are few enough for good focus and the ability to remember and apply. You won’t get better results by piling on the words with all the changes you want to make. More likely, you’d feel overwhelmed and fail to stick with it.

Three simple words have a powerful effect because words themselves have power. God spoke the world into existence and we are made in His image. Don’t underestimate that connection.

Your three words can give you clarity about who you want to be and how you want your life to look. Think about who your best self would be in the area you choose. Don’t overthink it–your words are not going to be carved on a tablet of stone. If it turns out that one of them isn’t a good fit, change it!

Choose your life area, choose your three words, and write them down. Post them on your bathroom mirror. Write them in your planner. Stick them on the refrigerator–whatever it takes for you to be reminded of them. As situations come up, apply your words. It’s that simple. And three words can change your life.

 

 

 

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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. jadegreen says

    May 11, 2018 at 11:47 am

    I picked my words yesterday! I’m already experiencing the fruits of focusing on a few, simple, prayerful concepts. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      May 17, 2018 at 11:22 pm

      That makes me happy! I continue to see how this simple practice is changing things in my life!

      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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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.❤️
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