My youngest daughter gave me a trophy last year for Mother’s Day, “World’s Greatest Mom 2014.” But, I kept the trophy in the basement.
A few minutes ago, as I was loading the dishwasher, she came up the stairs holding my trophy. “Why is this in the basement?”
“I use to have my writing studio downstairs. I wanted to see it when I was working. I forgot to bring it up.”
But, really, I didn’t bring the trophy up from the basement because I didn’t want to be reminded. I didn’t want to be reminded that I am “The World’s Worst Mom.” But, wait, that is not what the trophy says.
Yes, I know. But every time I see the trophy. I think, Someone else should have been given the trophy.
And why do I think I am a horrible mother? I am a horrible mother because I do not remind my daughter to brush her teeth. And I make my daughter do her own laundry. And, if she spills milk on the counter I go and find her and get her to clean it up. And sometimes I help her clean her room. I don’t make her clean it herself.
The problem is not the trophy, the problem is negative self talk. I don’t believe the award.
Do you have ever a negative sound track going through your head? Sometimes it is on a continual loop. Chattering away, “You are such a horrible mother, you are bad at parenting, why did you let her stay up so late? and on and on, ____________ fill in the blank.
Silence the negative sound track in your brain
The truth is we, not just me, we need to silence the sound track that wants to defeat and discourage us. You might have similar sound tracks about other parts of your life. Maybe your negative soundtrack is about your marriage, or why you are still single. The negative sound track could be related to your job or even to your worth as a person.
So, today, I say, “Put your trophy on your mantel. And, if you don’t have one. Go ahead and get one made.”
Silence the negative voice. And if you silence the negative voice, you need to replace it with the loud positive voice. So make a new sound track. Something like this.
God made me. I am special. I am valued and treasured. I am worthy. I am smart. I am beautiful. I am loved.
There are a few rules. No, really only one rule. Your new sound track can only be positive words of affirmation. No negative self-talk. You are not allowed to say, “I am beautiful, if I lost ten pounds.”
Nope. Not allowed.
You are beautiful. Right now, right this very minute. With your hair needing to be washed, and your teeth needing to be brushed. You are beautiful.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Get a trophy made that says “I am loved” and put it on your mantel
I am serious. Go and get a trophy made. If I had enough money I would buy everyone a trophy that said, “I am loved.”
So let’s go and make our new sound track; and remember what Larry the Cucumber said:
God made you special and He loves you very much.
― Larry The Cucumber
The trophy from my youngest daughter is sitting on the mantel. It reminds me my daughter loves me, and it reminds me to be the mom she thinks I am. A great one.
I will be right back. First I have to see who left the empty gallon of milk on the counter.
———————————————–
As always I love to hear from you. Do you have a negative sound track in your brain? Click here, HERE, to comment or just scroll to the bottom of my blog.
This is part of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Click here if you would like to read more stories by other writers.
