When things are going good, enjoy them and revisit them when things are not so good.
It can be reeeeally hard to do.
I am very, very far from being a happiness guru, but I do have some pretty decent ideas sometimes. Sometimes.
Okay, right now Boog is fantastic. Reading and comprehending even more than I thought. The kid is SMART. Not in the same way other kids may be, but he can do a lot of awesome things other kids can't. He's using the iPad keyboard to type words now. With no assistance. We're getting closer to him being able to type his thoughts and the timeframe is lot quicker than I thought. As in months, maybe even years quicker. He's blowing me away. Thank the Lord for all the people who have gotten us here and those helping us get to the next goal.
Life is Good!
A week, month, or whenever down the road I may be having a hard time for 10,000 different reasons. I'm not saying it's a quick fix, but the good days can be diluted by the thoughts of days not so great. Sound familiar? I think I can help you!
In my infomercial voice: And YOU can achieve this in just TWO steps! Amazed and want to know more?! Just read below!! (not charging you $19.99 though).
Step One: When something good happens (big or small) write it down, start a notebook, use Word on your PC, notes on your iPhone. Just a date and a quick blurb to remind you about that time. Try to add to it regularly.
Step Two: The next time you are having a hard time (anxiety, stress, crying, hopelessness). You go find that note. Read it. Read it again. Remember the beginning. Remember how far you have come since then. Remember the things you used to worry about at one in the morning that now you can barely remember. Whatever is bothering you now will likely end up one if those distant memories. Breathe. Most importantly, repeat this or something like it:
"My child would not have come this far without me and my hard work and love. We can and will get through this".
Read it again. Say it out loud or just in your head.
"My child would not have come this far without me and my hard work and love. We can and will get through this".
There's actually some science to this, believe it or not. It's called having a "mantra" or "positive affirmation". You can read more about it here:
This blog post is as much for me as it is for you. There are so many ups and downs. I love the ups and when there's a down, I will come here and take my own advice (hopefully).
With Love,
Boog's Mommy