I lead my children by example. Any behavior I want my children to exhibit, I must master first. I teach my children to be grateful by expressing my own gratitude before them.
No matter how small the deed, I always give thanks when someone does something for me. I understand that when others serve me or buy things for me, it is only out of the generosity in their hearts, not out of obligation.
I appreciate others because I am humble enough to accept that I am not entitled to their kindness. I guard my children from that sense of entitlement so they may be free to be thankful.
I am selective in the number of material things I give my children. I inspire them to appreciate the things they already have. Often having too much limits a persons ability to be grateful.
I model a long-term sense of appreciation for my children. I demonstrate thankfulness for my own possessions by taking care of the things I have.
Today, I choose to foster a genuine sense of gratitude in the hearts of my children that goes beyond a simple habit of being polite. I teach my children to use their manners to give thanks and have a deep appreciation for others.
Self-Reflection Questions:
Do I demonstrate gratitude in the way I care for my possessions?
How can I foster a deep sense of gratitude in my children beyond simply giving thanks?
Why is it best to limit the amount of things I buy for my children?
I support my spouse in the pursuit of their dreams.
I am my spouse’s greatest cheerleader because I believe wholeheartedly in their abilities. My partner is intelligent, creative and capable. They can fulfill anything they set their mind to. I work hard to communicate my support effectively to my spouse.
I affirm my partner with every chance I get because my opinion matters above what anyone else may think. I want them to feel like there is no one else in the world who admires them more than I do. That is why I refrain from harsh criticism.
My spouse has dreams and aspirations that are important to them. I invite them to share those dreams with me in an environment free from judgment and negativity. My partner knows that sharing their dreams is safe with me, and they do so.
Regardless of how large and seemingly impossible their vision may be, I support my partner one hundred percent. The bigger the dream, the more lavish my support. The way I stand by my spouse is a symbol of my love.
When my spouse has a dream, I see it as an opportunity for me to demonstrate my love in the form of support. I take advantage of every chance I get to show my love in different ways. Encouraging my spouse is a simple way to express how much I appreciate and admire them.
Today, I choose to refrain from over-analyzing facts, and instead allow love to flow through me toward my spouse. With undying support for their dreams, I give myself permission to value my partner’s heart above all else.
Self-Reflection Questions:
Why should I support my spouse’s dreams?
How can I demonstrate support to my spouse in a way they will understand?
Why is it necessary to refrain from harsh criticism?
I owe it to myself to manage my anger in acceptable ways to avoid regret. Although anger is a completely natural life process, what I do with that anger rests on my shoulders.
Anger has tangible physical effects on the body, such as a rise in blood pressure, tightening of the muscles, and clouded thoughts. I use three simple relaxation techniques to assist me in managing my anger so I can remain calm: breathing exercises, muscle stretching, and mental reasoning.
When I find myself face to face with anger, I move to a different location. A change in atmosphere by itself aids in the calming process. I inhale deeply and exhale slowly as I focus my attention to my new environment and away from the subject that triggered anger.
To help my muscles relax, I do stretching exercises when I feel angry. As I release tension in my muscles, I also release tension in the rest of my body. I take my time with stretches to achieve deep release of tension in both my muscles and my mind. Stretching my muscles helps me to calm down.
After I complete my breathing exercises and stretches, I begin to think rationally about my situation. I ask myself why I am so upset in the first place and try to reason with myself about my response.
Today, I choose to stop anger dead in its tracks by using breathing techniques, stretching exercises, and mental reasoning. By relaxing my body, I make a way for my mind to reason clearly and achieve a state of inner calm.
Self-Reflection Questions:
How can I use breathing techniques to curb my anger?
What questions can I ask myself when I become angry?
Which muscles feel the most tense when I become angry?
