I will admit that since my daughter was born my standard, automated response to "how are you?" has become, "tired but good!" Before my daughter was born I had been practicing pausing and giving an honest, accurate answer instead of the automated "good".
Somewhere along the line of losing sleep and changing focus I slipped back into an automated response. Now my awareness is directed not only to the automation but to the reality I am writing for myself. Am I tired? Yes. Some days I wonder if the sleep missed during that first year of my daughter's life will ever be caught up. But is that focus of lack where I want to live? Absolutely not!
So how do I re-write the story? I strive to be authentic, honest, and open in my life. So how do I balance the truth of being tired with the wish of a more energized life?
Step one is getting back out of the automated response. Trying to remember to pause, check in with myself, and then give an honest answer that reflects my focus. Think about this, when was the last time you experienced only one feeling?
Right now, for example, I am warm, tired, a little excited about the day ahead, focused, grateful, itchy, humored by taking the time to notice all of this, and content. All of these words, and probably others, could accurately and honestly answer the question. I have the choice to respond, "tired and itchy" and bring that reality into focus OR "content and grateful". Which reality do I want to focus and create my day around?
For those who know me and see me regularly, I invite you to challenge me. If I step into automation, call me on it. Awareness is important in making change and so is accountability. And if you would like the same, tell me and I will provide the same support for you.
I'm grateful for this awareness today. I'm grateful for the continued ability to learn and grow. I'm grateful to be so in love with positive psychology, the creation of our reality, and growth oriented reading. I'm grateful for videos that make it even easier to hear a concept while multitasking. I'm grateful for all the accountability partners in my life. I'm grateful to recognize a simple way that I can create my reality. I'm grateful to feel energized by this idea as I face a new day!
How are you? How will you choose to write your story today? Which words will you share?
May today open our eyes to the story we write. May we choose to write the story that inspires us to grow. Have a beautiful day!