Stinkin' Thinkin'!

Is 'Stinkin Thinkin' Sabotaging Your Life?

                              

Happy President's Day! I'm sure most of you are still enjoying the comforts of your BED but some of us are actually at work. So...enjoy your day off! I pray this Monday is amazing for you...and you touch the life of someone else in a positive way.

Pay It Forward: I returned a brand new iphone4 that someone left at a game in Atlantic City. When the gentleman met me to get the phone back he attempted to pay me for returning it. I told him, "No, just pay it forward." I could never take money for doing something that I pray someone would do for ME if I lost something really valuable.

Today I want to blog a little about a phrase I've come to love. I first heard it by way of one of my favorite inspirational speakers, Joyce Meyer. I love her..she's so animated and raw! If you don't know who Joyce Meyer is...Google her. I promise you she will be a blessing! She is hilarious but speaks such truth. Anyway...the phrase, "Stinkin Thinkin" has NEVER made more sense to me than it does at this stage of my life. I talk a lot about the power of thoughts and the impact your mind can have in ALL areas of your life. This is something that I've struggled with. I have literally had to reprogram how I think and I STILL catch myself drifting off into the land of negative thoughts but at least now, I'm mindful of it so it's easier to snap myself right back out of it! In addition, because of this…it’s also very easy for me to recognize when other people are doing it. If you're honest with yourself...for just a moment, I'm sure you can recall moments in your life where your stinkin' thinkin' was the driving force behind an action or inaction that had a negative outcome.

Stinkin thinkin' has caused people to limit themselves in terms of higher education & careers...it has caused relationships and friendships to dissolve, it has caused individuals to fall into depression...feelings of anger, resentment, bitterness...I could go on and on. The unfortunate thing is....your thoughts (thinkin') are a by-product of your life experiences so; in many cases what you are thinkin isn't actually what IS. For instance, if you are always operating from a wounded, self-defeated, hurtful, angry, bitter, guarded & untrusting place...you will always look at circumstances in your life FROM these very places. So you are applying the same type of self-destructive thinking to NEW circumstances. Thus getting the SAME results such as: pushing people away, creating a "safe zone" in your life out of fear someone will hurt you, not applying for jobs, school etc and becoming stuck in self pity....Yes, self sabotage.

 Your thinkin' will cause you to keep reinforcing self-sabotage that in most cases is a subconscious thing. So, because you failed at school BEFORE...your stinkin thinkin' tells YOU that you won't ever be able to succeed. Because you didn't get the LAST job...your stinkin' thinkin tells YOU that I won't get this one either, so why try? Because the LAST person hurt you...your stinkin thinkin says THIS person will too! You will even subconsciously DO and LOOK for things to validate this irrational thinkin! If you meet someone that actually treats you nice and has the qualities of a wonderful partner, you will start to think, "This must be too good to be true...what is he/she hiding?" Or...You look for things that will validate something negative, when there really is nothing there! I use these examples to illustrate how this type of thinkin' can really be catastrophic to your life! Always thinkin' someone is out to hurt you, or you can’t trust people, or that you’re a failure...or always thinkin you can't or won't succeed will in fact make these things a reality! But here is the kicker, in many of these situations...it's NOT the other people....it's YOU. Your thinkin WILL have an impact on your life and how you respond to situations. You may not always realize it or want to own up to it but it does.

So, I challenge you today...EVERY time you start to think something negative replace it with a positive thought. Joyce talks about the Battlefield of your mind... (I highly recommend this book for a great read)...it will show you how your stinkin thinkin' controls your life in so many negative ways. It’s not always easy and it’s very frustrating but the reward will be YOU taking a stance to change the direction of your thoughts and decisions.

Have a super doper week!

Chanel-

Valentine's 365

                                                                Love is.......

I was immediately attracted to this particular picture & I think its kinda dope. No matter what the language...it's still all love.

Pay It Forward: I paid for a gentleman's items at the dollar store. I simply asked him if it was "ok" and he hesitated at first..but then he smiled and said, "That was a really nice thing to do." I must admit..it does make me feel uncomfortable at times because you never know how someone is going to react to you asking if it's ok. But..I've realized that saying, "I just want to do something nice for someone"..instead of "Let me help you" makes a difference. They don't feel like your trying to give them a handout..I guess.

The big love day is next Monday! Red balloons, candy, flowers, cards, massages and everything in between. I think it's wonderful that a special day is set aside for showing that special someone just how you feel and showering them with love. I support it 100%. I support it even more when the person knows AND feels this love all year around. Many people get caught up in the day instead of getting caught up in the fact that 02/15 is just hours away...and then what? Back to the same ole' same ole. I admire couples that really have healthy happy relationships ALL year long. They serve as a template for me and how I want my relationship to be. They have hills and valleys but understand that Valentine's Day type affection is needed even more so in the "valley" times. It makes you appreciate and cherish the high points all the more!

***80/20 rule runs across my mind*** Nobody is perfect. We ALL have flaws. Yes, even YOU! Don't let your 80 go for the 20. Instead..try to turn your 80 into 87.562 *smile* Yes, they get on your nerves, have their own set of antics and moods but knowing that YOU have someone that cares about your well-being, makes sure you have a meal most days, if you're sick you know you can count on them, if you're in need of support they are right there holding you up and cheering you on, if you need a laugh they are there to do the silly stuff that only the two of you know about (inside jokes), they are there to rub your feet when you've had a hard day, they are willing to go to bat for you...even when you're wrong as the day is long...lol, they actually understand you as a person, they support your individual dreams & aspirations & most of all....they provide you with the security of knowing... "We are IN this thing together come hell or high water!" You know that when the going gets tough and stormy...they won't just jump on the next thing sailing. They stay..stick it out..talk it out..work it out...and weather it with you. You weather it together as a team.

Now...after reading that: I challenge you to start your 02/14 Today...show them how much you care and appreciate them.

I will not be blogging next week because I want to focus on my special someone.

You support me, you understand me...and you genuinely have my best interest at heart. You came into my life so unexpectedly. We don't know what tomorrow holds...but we know WHO holds tomorrow. Let's just keep moving forward and letting Him guide us. What we have is effortless..And for that...I'm so thankful.

Have a super dooper sexy week and Valentine's Day Folks!

Chanel-