attitude is everything...

Over the years I have really come to believe that attitude is a huge determining factor in the outcome of life. When I think good, I act good and good things happen. I like that. I have always been a glass half full kind of girl ---although during the rougher (young child) years, I will admit that occasionally I did view the glass as half-empty thru my sleep deprived haze. The problem with seeing the glass as half-empty is that the more you feel that way, the longer your life feels that way, until you don't even remember there was another {better} way.

The good news about attitude is that you can change it at any time. I know now that I was the painter of my own canvas and if I want a different picture it has to be who paints it differently.

So I have undergone a huge transition in my thinking over the last 18 months and in response I have a totally different outlook. I love that! I am struggling to get back the parts of me that disappeared when the kids arrived -like keeping my house up and maintaining my friendships. I will still work on that, every single day. No matter what my family has to come first and I wouldn't trade the time I spend with them for anything. Eventually I will get there and I will be happy to be there when it happens.

I was reminded about attitude today when talking to my son. I got home from work saw Jackson sitting at the table doing homework. My husband mentioned to me that he had been doing his homework for the past 2 hours or so. When I asked Jack how it was going, he said good. He never complained about having 2 hours of homework on the 3rd night of school. He actually commented to me as I was fixing dinner that what he liked most about his work was that he did it {mostly} on his own and he made very few mistakes. His handwriting was clear and his answers concise. He took his time to do a good job. Slow and steady wins the race, right? I like that he understands himself so well -most people don't.

He did a project in Language Arts where he had to compare himself to objects and here is what he said:
"I am a circle because everything goes smoothly and the same way everyday -just like how I like my life. I am a sloth because I'm a slow and hard worker, and I always get the job done. If I were a kitchen tool I would be a blender because I cause destruction. If I were a color I'd be yellow because I'm bright and I make people happy."

I am so lucky to be blessed with a boy who is so intuitive about who he is and what he needs. I sometimes question his choices {like deciding last minute to not be in the band or play fall ball} but then I remember that as well as I know him, my kid knows himself better. I admire that. I am very proud of him. I can hardly believe he is in middle school. I promise that I will take the traditional 1st day of school photo!! This year it will just be the 1st Friday of school photo instead!