Tuesday, April 21, 2009

More On Revision

I’ve been practicing Revision and noticed that a simple way to revise our negative stories is to change the negative words to positive words. “She doesn’t like me,” simply changes to “She likes me.” “I’m the world’s worst mom,” changes to “I’m the world’s best mom.” “I’m never going to be able to do this,” becomes, “I’m going to do this.”

At first this may seem like some kind of reality distortion. But remember, we create our own reality. It isn’t distortion. It is reality formation. You are forming your reality. What has happened in the past does not predict the future. Instead you format your own future by what you think.

Sure you might have had a bad mothering moment. But that moment is gone now and a clean slate of time is spread before you. Do you want to enter the next moment dragging along an “I’m a bad mother!” attitude? Or do you want to shape the next moment with an “I’m a great mother who just made a mistake that I’ve now learned from and am ready to move on” attitude?

What we think, determines what we do. And any negative story we have can be Revised.Just quickly change your thought from, "I hate cleaning out the toilet!" to "I love cleaning out the toilet!" and watch what it does for your day. As Elder Wirthlin said, “Come what may, and love it!”

7 comments:

Wendi said...

It's time for me to mow and edge the lawn again. I've been putting it off all day. But now I'm going to tell myself how much I love it--and being out in the fresh air and sunshine. Oh, and especially how much I'll love it when I'm finished! :) Thanks for the encouragement! :)

Anita said...

This is so what I needed to hear today! I hope you don't mind, but I'm over a "healthy living" RS group in my ward, and I've put a link to this post on our blog. If you want to check it out its:

edmondhealthyliving.blogspot.com

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Wendi, You don't have to mow the lawn. You get to! I hope it was enjoyable. The sunshine was wonderful today!

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Anita, Mind? I'm delighted you think it worthwhile enough to pass on. Enjoy this wonderful day!

Alyssa said...

Sister Johnson! This post is from yesterday, but I'm just now reading it today, and you have NO idea how much I needed to read this! It is precisely what I needed. My boyfriend is leaving tomorrow for the summer, and I was sad, but then decided that I'm going to be nothing but happy while he's still here because I can't do anything about it, and it will be even happier when I get to see him again. Thanks so much for posting this!!! :D

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Alyssa,You made my day. Your enthusiasm came right through the Internet and it made me happy to hear how much you appreciated this! You are wise to choose happy. Why spoil what little time you have left!

Chrystal said...

I can do hard things.

Come what may, and love it!

Oh the power of revision!! Thank you again.