How to Change Your Thoughts & Love Your Life (No Matter Your Circumstances)

What if you were in love with your life? 
 
How would you feel every day? Would you feel any different than you do now? Would you make different choices? Would you enjoy your time more? Enjoy your family more?
 
I get it. Life is overwhelming and being a mom is challenging at the best of times. We are constantly being sold a story that we aren’t measuring up. That we need to do more to be a good mom or good woman.
 
But I know that there is another way. We get a choice. We can choose to let go of what is not serving us. 
 
One of my favorite psychologists, Albert Ellis, offered that it’s not our circumstances that cause emotional distress. He said that we actually make ourselves suffer with our thoughts about the situations we find ourselves in and when we believe that we have no control over it all.
 
You have considerable power to construct self-helping thoughts, feelings and actions as well as to construct self-defeating behaviors. You have the ability, if you use it, to choose healthy instead of unhealthy thinking, feeling and acting. -Albert Ellis
So, yes, you can change your thoughts. You can take all your limiting beliefs, thoughts that you aren’t good enough, and change them to thoughts that serve you. You can choose thoughts and emotions that make you feel loved and safe and abundant.
 
I want to invite you to consider all the areas of your life that could use more love. The parts that you hide. Invite the beauty and love that comes with accepting ourselves.
 
You have the power, with every thought, with every emotion, with every breath, to connect to your truth. The truth that you have value, worth, and beauty no matter what you do. And you deserve to love yourself.
 
You, my friend, have so much love in your heart. So I want you to focus on all that makes you feel love. Hold it in your heart. 
 
You must love yourself enough to take the time for you. And here you are. So meet yourself today.
 
I want you to take some time to write down the following:
  • What do I need to be more at peace with myself?
  • What are my strengths? What do I love about myself? 
  • What do you love about those around you?
  • Think about how you love. How you love yourself, your husband, your kids. What are you teaching your children about love? (“We cannot teach what we do not practice.”)
  • Where you do you need to love more?
Let self-love enable you to build a stronger relationship with yourself and allow you to show up more fully in your life.  The most important thing we can learn (and teach our children) is the ability to love ourselves and our lives. With abandon. With joy. And with full acceptance. 
Jessica
Jessica is delighted to be home in Wichita after over 10 years away in England, France, Jersey and Lawrence. She now lives in College Hill with her husband, 2 boys, goldendoodle and rescue cat. Jessica’s thrilled to be a part of WMB as she believes in the power of a supportive community to share in life's fun. She must admit that she’s shocked (daily) by the challenges and thrills of motherhood, despite her “preparation” with a master’s degree in developmental psych. Most importantly, Jessica loves wine, family, coffee, friends, tequila, laughing, pretending to exercise and pinterest-ing (not necessarily in that order). She’s a proud professional volunteer and board member; Jessica strives to make the world a better, happier, lighter and funnier place. Jessica started Lives of Courage to inspire and empower others to live their lives with strength and courage everyday. Visit JessicaStong.com to join us in choosing courage.