Attitude: More Lessons From My Son

“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~~Antonio Smith~~

Do you remember when something as simple as getting to use an electric mixer was sure to be the start of an awesome day? How about when eating pancakes for breakfast was the Best. Thing. Ever. Or, when waiting a WHOLE WEEK until your birthday seemed like an eternity, and you couldn’t think of anything more important than who was coming to your party? Was life simpler then? I don’t think so. 5 year olds struggle enormously with peer pressure (yes, even at that age!), fears, uncertainty, and setting boundaries… That sounds a lot like what most adults suffer from too… so, what’s changed? Personally, I think it’s nothing more than attitude. Sure, the pressure is about more significant things, as are the fears and uncertainty, but you would think that since our power of deduction is also more significant, and our experiences are certainly much more vast, we would be able to handle the pressure as well as the little ones do…

I want to go back to getting excited about the “small stuff”. (And, I’d go as far as arguing that these things really are NOT the “small stuff”!) So, here’s my Attitude Adjustment for today: I will rejoice in what’s REALLY important in my life! I know my day will be awesome because I made pancakes with my son this morning, and we had fun! I’m celebrating the fact that there’s a smile on my face, and one on his too.

Attitude and a Smile

"Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." ~~William James~~

Enough said. I’m continuing my quest for the world’s attitude adjustment… just a little one in most cases, but who couldn’t use a good smile, even if (or especially if) you’re the one usually smiling?

My mission today: to smile and say hello to everyone I see.

Motivation

“The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.” ~~Author Unknown~~

I’m still reading BLINK by Malcolm Gladwell (sorry, not a lot of free time around here!) and continue to be fascinated! It turns out that studies have shown that your facial expressions can actually change your emotions! Seriously! Apparently your facial expressions, even when you make them on purpose, cause significant changes to you autonomic nervous system! So, my whole thing about “fake it ‘til you make it”, or “put a smile on your face…” really DO have validity! I am so excited!

So, go ahead, SMILE! I dare you!