# 5 Mind Changing Tactics

# 1 Stay Positive

Every morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is pray and in my prayers I say thank you Lord for a new day.  While I still lie in my bed I think of the day ahead of me and dedicate each member in my family into Gods Hand.

Staying Positive is one of my basic needs and requirements for each day, I read my daily devotion and focus on a passage to help me turn to the Lord when I feel hurt, distressed or disappointed.

Verse I focus on:  Isaiah 30: 18 ‘Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the LORD is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him!’

# 2 Get dressed

The most basic thing to do to stay focused on changing your mind set, you need to do normal day-to-day things.  Just because you are retired, a stay at home mom, student does not mean you should stay in your pyjama’s all day long.  No, take a shower, wash your hair, brush your teeth and dress for the day.

I feel better once I have done my hair, dressed into my favourite jeans and top.  Now I can face anything. 

Verse I focus on:  Colossians 1: 27 ‘To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentile the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’

#3 Stay connected

It is important to stay connected with people outside your little home.  Make friends with your neighbours and get out for a coffee at least once a week.  Do not isolate yourself from the rest of the world.  It is important to keep a network of friends so that you can grow in your own way.  People tend to give ~ you ideas, share feelings and help you see things in another perspective.  Writing your blog and sharing your thoughts over the net is also a great way to expand your friendships.

Verse I focus on: Psalm 27: 10 ‘Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.’

#4 Take a short break

I clean my own home and it does take all day long, I want things to be just right.  I have been so consumed with making sure everything is in place a sometimes forget to take a short break.  This results in me being grumpy and irritable.  I then started taking a short break in between washing one load of washing and hanging clothes on the line.  My day didn’t turn out longer it was actually going faster.  I had more energy and I was more focused.  I found in a small 10 minute break I was building my strength and feeling more positive about myself and what I was accomplishing.

Verse I focus on:  Proverbs 3: 6 ‘in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.’

# 5 Show appreciations

I have step children and it is important to show them appreciation at times, this always makes them happy and lets me feel good about myself.  To show appreciation helps me realise that I am able to be grateful about my life and situation.  It helps me realise that I am part of a family unit and that we all work together towards the same goal.

Verse I focus on:  Psalm 34: 2 ‘My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.’

Conclusion

Each day I work on my attitude, I find that when I am around people that have a negative attitude it does affect my view point.  When I get home and think about their behaviour it makes me realise that they really are struggling with a bad attitude and should actually try changing their minds.  It is not easy, I am a negative person and I have been working really hard on my behaviour.  I really have to give myself pep talks on a regular basis.  I use my own little mind tactics to become a better me.  Why not try my way and see if you too can grow mentally and spiritually.  We need to really focus on the word, this is a lamp for our way forward.  God Bless You, You are a blessing in my life!