Hello Friends!
I had kind of an off day today. I stayed up late last night trying to get my life organized-sorting through my finances, printing off the dozens of PowerPoint for classes (trying my HARDEST to conserve paper…6 slides a page anyone?), and doing all of my laundry to be ready for heading back home this weekend.
Before I knew it, the clock read midnight and my stomach grumbled for its bedtime snack.
Needless to say, I snoozed my alarm way too long…re-set it actually, vowing to jump out of bed at the last second and make it to my 8am class. I finally got up at 7:45am and if anyone knows about parking on a university campus….I have to be parked and walking to my class at that time to make it. And I did not want to show up late to Ms Know-It-All’s class (more on that later).
So I had some peanutbutter toast and got my things together for the extra Chemistry class I attend (no, not a perfectionist…just trying to pass the class!). Somehow I ended up running late for that class! Seriously Amanda?
I tried to wear cute shoes, so of course my feel felt awful five minutes into my 10-15 minute walk to class, and I was rushing so with each quick step, a stab of pain radiated from the backs of my ankles. I was also getting cold so I had to put my hood up and zip up my coat so all you could see is my black-framed glasses.
I felt unkept and crummy and grumpy and started thinking negative thoughts about other students I was passing by, as well as criticizing myself for the way I looked this morning and for “failing at life.”
Yes, my self-talk can get a little dramatic.
Then a switch flipped in my brain.
I remembered my post from yesterday, calling my readers to LOVE others and LOVE themselves. I was reminded that I slip up in this area myself!
I immediately forced a smile on my face and started some positive self-talk. I can’t believe I’m going to tell you all this, but this is what I came up with and chanted it to myself in my head to the beat of my painful footsteps:
“I’m cute as a button, smart as a whip.”
Embarrassing right? It actually helped! With each step I felt more confident in my appearance and my intelligence, which is helpful in a Chemistry class where the class average for the first test was 57%.
I also prayed that I would look at my fellow students in a more positive light.
“You can’t hold the door? Really dude?”
“Hi bicyclist, I’m right here. Please don’t run me over.”
“You curled your hair for class? Really?”
I’m kind of condescending when I’m grumpy. It’s terrible! But I’m working on LOVING others.
I even tried my best to speak positively about my know-it-all teacher this afternoon. Yes, I have her for two different classes. I also went to her office after class to look at my test with a friend and I focused on the good things about her. She is so knowledgeable and I can learn a lot from her. She also makes me want to improve myself…maybe just so that I don’t look stupid in class, but still, that’s a good thing, right? Thinking and speaking positively about others is a challenge, but it is possible!
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Last night when I was trying to organize my life, I started having a bit of anxiety. I decided that in addition to the Love Challenge this month, I am also going to attempt to read the bible more (or just period). It always seems to help me feel better about life and to have perspective.
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The place I started was Philippians. My favorite book of the bible. In fact, I put the verse Philippians 4:13 on the last line of the Road ID shoe pouch I purchased this week. (For those of you who run, you should definitely consider one of these as a safety measure. You never know what will happen when you’re out on a run!)
I read something today that caught my eye and made me think about my Love Challenge. Philippians 2:3-4.
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Whether you believe in God or not, these words ring true wherever you find yourself.
I will leave you with that since the BF Dave is in town and I’d like to hang out with him while I can! 🙂
Have a great weekend everyone!
*~Amanda aka Semi-Health Nut~*
Can anyone relate to judging others in your head? Even if you don’t mean to? Yes, it counts if you’re looking down on someone who is mean or rude!
What do YOU say when you talk to yourself?
Girl, you ARE cute as a button, smart as a whip! And that’s not embarrassing! Positive self talk can be SO difficult (I fail at on a regular basis) so to remember to take a moment, especially when we’re busy criticizing ourselves, and say something positive, is a great thing! Loving this! 🙂
Ah thanks girl! 🙂
Agreed! And I need to work on positive self-talk vs. tearing others down. Though sometimes, it’s entertaining … but I should do less of it so it’s more entertaining when there’s a realllllly terrible one (like wearing leggings as pants when they’re see-through).
haha I just saw this comment! I see so many girl butts at school it’s ridiculous. Maybe I should make some cards explaining what pants are and hand them out? 😉
Girl, you ARE cute as a button, smart as a whip! And that’s not embarrassing! Positive self talk can be SO difficult (I fail at on a regular basis) so to remember to take a moment, especially when we’re busy criticizing ourselves, and say something positive, is a great thing! Loving this! 🙂
Ah thanks girl! 🙂
Agreed! And I need to work on positive self-talk vs. tearing others down. Though sometimes, it’s entertaining … but I should do less of it so it’s more entertaining when there’s a realllllly terrible one (like wearing leggings as pants when they’re see-through).
Oh girl, I have had those mornings! More than I would like to admit. I like to think that I am always able to just flip my mindset, and I do believe that we can change the way we see the world (and consequently how others see us/treat us) with just the right outlook, forced or not. But it is hard sometimes!!!
Oh girl, I have had those mornings! More than I would like to admit. I like to think that I am always able to just flip my mindset, and I do believe that we can change the way we see the world (and consequently how others see us/treat us) with just the right outlook, forced or not. But it is hard sometimes!!!
haha I just saw this comment! I see so many girl butts at school it’s ridiculous. Maybe I should make some cards explaining what pants are and hand them out? 😉