Only you can make a change
Sometimes I struggle with what to write for the monthly blog, going back and forth with ideas of what to say. This month the question was more IF I should even write it, as I tossed around the idea, my mind kept saying “should I do this”? You see August was one heck of a month and I’m really glad it’s gone. Not that one day will make a difference, just like Jan. 1 is really no different than Dec. 31, it’s just a mindset that can change. Yet I’m glad August is over. It was a whirlwind of crap all at once – from my son starting public school again (after 6 years of homeschool), to Dr. Haifa telling me she wanted to be a stay at home mom, to some other things all thrown in, it was big old bam all at the same time. Ugh.
When things get bad, we tend to focus on the bad, which makes it even worse. Our thoughts create our reality, and if our thoughts are negative, well that that just exacerbates the bad. I fell a bit into that trap, focusing on all the bad that was happening at the same time. I got out that fire extinguisher and tried to put out all the fires that were happening. I got out of my routine, I got mad and it sent my body and mind into a tizzy.
And then within the past 10 days or so, I kept getting messages – things people would randomly say to me (and they had no idea how positive a message they were saying), videos and posts would show up on my Facebook page, a song would play, or just something would happen and I paid attention. I started to accept all the messages, I started to think about what it meant, I started opening my mind and heart again. I got back to my morning routine of getting up an hour before everyone else for my quiet time of prayer, affirmations and just “me” time.
With my son back in school, it’s totally made me realize why we pulled him out of school in the first place. Homeschool was so much better for us but here we are in high school, where it’s better for him (though that really is still to be determined!!). It’s the public school system, run by the government, following their systems, their slow way of doing things and their way of trying to make every kid learn the same way. It could be great for the super smart kids and for parents that don’t work, but that’s not our family. So, we are trying to make it work and the school isn’t helping. I’m not sure how we are going to make it through four years of this but at least we are trying. This parenting thing is hard, whether your child is 3 days old, 3 years old, a teenager or young adult. It’s not easy. We can all strive to do the best we can do.
With Dr. Haifa – she will remain at our office two days a week so she can focus on being a stay at home mom. As a result, we have reduced our animal chiropractic hours so I can be back in the office since she won’t be there (not stopping animal chiropractic, just less hours). We’ve changed our credit card processing company to be more efficient, and have made other changes as well. With every setback comes growth, and this is a stage of growth. It’s actually kind of exciting in a strange kind of way.
What do you do when your life becomes a challenge? I’m old enough and smart enough to realize that change and motivation comes from within. Sure a therapist can motivate someone and give them direction, but it’s up to each and every one of us to take that first step – whether it’s recognizing the challenge and making the change from within, or calling a friend or therapist. Life isn’t always easy. Prayer, quiet time, exercise, proper nutrition and taking care of your body can go a long way towards better health and a healthier mindset. I always say that we need to love ourselves before we love anyone else. And that comes from within. Recognize when things get challenging and take the steps to turn that around. Pray daily. Say affirmations and visualize what you want. Exercise daily (even if it’s just a walk!). Eat nutritious foods that fuel your body. Get adjusted so your body is functioning as best as possible. Get plenty of sleep. Sure you will have bad days and times, but don’t let them last long. There will be days of crap and no sleep, and eating fast food, and no exercise. Recognize that. Accept that. But don’t let it last. Take the steps to change. It’s up to each and every one of us.
I got a bit down and now I’m back up, and things are on the uphill again, and I’m once again looking forward to the future.
Dr. Pam