Home

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

A New Year

I did not stay up to ring in the new year, I hardly ever do.  But I did take some time yesterday to write out some goals for this new year.  I try to avoid using the word "resolutions", it seems to come with the phrase, "next year".  So goals it is.  I have done this for a few years now and have had much better luck with it.  I added something new this year.  I have added a quote to go with my new year.  I have written it down in the front of my date book and written it down on a card to go on my dresser. 



 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:


“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous.

I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized.

If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”


The quote is from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  I am now on a mission to find a book with more from this writer.  I don't know if his philosophy matches mine as a whole but this statement really spoke to me.  I think as I try to improve in my work in the vocation of motherhood, it is important to understand the power I hold.  When I think of days and they are many to choose from, when folks in this house have been less than loving, my response has been less than helpful.  Quite often, it has made things worse.  I have hollered at a child for hollering themselves, I have insulted when I needed to show grace.  I have been rude when others have been rude to me.  While I don't believe I hold all the power, my responses and my attitude hold a tremendous power that I need to be more aware of and control with prayer, deep breathing, stepping back for a second and other calming methods.  I need to be acutely aware of my attitude to help guide the loved ones under my care.  My job is so much more than meal prep, car pool, and basic care.  My job includes shaping the hearts and souls of God's precious children He in trusted to me and my husband.  While I fix them a healthy meal for the upkeep of their bodies, I need to be just as careful helping them with their healthy spirit.  As I clean their clothes to look nice, I need to be just as deliberate with the pressing of their outlook and personalities because the wrinkles in that is far worse than a dirty shirt.  The old saying of, Do as I say, not as I do should not be true when it comes to my reactions and my mood with my family.  I sometimes and I don't think I am alone in this, give my best to others outside my home.  From putting on my best clothes to go out, smiling at others outside my family even when my day has gone astray and then not showing the same manners to those I love the most.  How many times have you snapped at your child or spouse in the car only to walk in a room of friends and smile like all is well.  I don't think being fake to our families is a good idea either, but I know for me, I need to think much more before I react to a situation.  I need to be very deliberate in my attitude for the day because it does not just effect me but my entire family.  This year, won't you join me in being deliberate in a positive attitude.