4 Things I Need to Tell Myself Every Day

Because sometimes the woman in the mirror needs a little encouragement, a little correction, and a good talking to.

1. I am no longer volunteering for my own suffering.

I've been through enough without adding extra stress to my own life. I don't have to keep answering every call, explaining myself to everybody, replaying old hurts, or trying to fix grown people. I can pray about something and still make a decision. Sometimes peace begins when I finally say, "I'm not doing this to myself anymore."

2. My feelings are real, but they don't always tell me the truth.

Some days I feel forgotten, overlooked, unappreciated, or like I'm falling behind. But feelings can be influenced by fear, fatigue, disappointment, or something that happened 20 years ago. I can feel something deeply and still be mistaken about what it means. Before I react, I need to ask myself, "What do I really know, and what am I assuming?"

3. I don't have to believe every thing I think.

Lord knows my mind can come up with some stories! Somebody doesn't return my call, and before I know it, I've written a whole movie about why they're upset with me. Corinthians 10:5 says," Take every thought captive". I'm learning to catch myself. Every thought doesn't deserve my attention. Some thoughts need to be questioned, some need to be released, and some need to be told, "Girl, please. We're not going down that road today."

4. My past taught me some lessons, but it doesn't get to run the rest of my life.

I've made some choices I wouldn't make today. I've trusted people who disappointed me, stayed quiet when I should have spoken up, and stayed in situations longer than I needed to. But I know more now. I am a seasoned woman who has grown. I don't need to keep punishing myself for who I was when I didn't know what I know today. There's still more life for me to live.

Sisterfriend, these are just four of the eight reminders I want to share with you.

In Part 2, we're going to talk about the choices we make, the family habits we carry, and why some of us have a Ph.D. in worrying!

Until then, pay attention to how you talk to yourself. You hear your own voice more than anybody else's.

Stay in the light.

Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor

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