I Can Do Hard Things!

Picture Taken in Dec. 2009 at the Hover Dam while on a family vacation.

This massive bridge under construction is the perfect example of something that is crazy hard to accomplish!

I must thank my friend, Yvonne, for this entry. Recently we had a conversation in which she shared with me a saying she has her kindergartners repeat daily for a whole month at the beginning of a new school year. "I can do hard things!"

This is the perfect message to imprint upon children of such a tender and impressionable age because let's face it: Life if FULL of hard things! A couple of weeks ago I noticed that Dasha was complaining about how hard some things were at school. Then, Preston started to join in on the chime, "That's too hard!" (This is my kid who perseveres and conquers anything he wants to be good at.) ENOUGH, I decided! Since then I have become a broken record repeating, "Yep, but you can do hard things! Let me hear YOU say it! I can do hard things!" I'm happy to report that it's making a difference with them.

At this point I must confess, there have been a few things that have started to pile up quite high and heavy for our family and I've been frustrated beyond words too. Today at church I asked a friend how she was and was told, "Pretty good, but some days are so hard." Without thinking, I repeated my broken record for her. She was surprised and expressed appreciation for the pep talk. Later in choir, she shared this pep talk and her renewed optimism with the group. I was stunned and left feeling like I could benefit from taking a dose of my own medicine. For the rest of the day I have felt a little lighter and ready to tackle the challenges that always seem to come on Mondays. Nothing has changed... except my attitude.

Tonight's facebook update reads: "Monday BEWARE! I'm ready for you. GAME ON! My new motto is: "I can do hard things!" So, bring it!