The Power of Positive Thinking

As most know I am a therapist and a believer that our thoughts do greatly effect our emotions. I also do not like to talk to people who seem to be always negative, talk about negative things, and think the worst in situations. I am not going to lie. I am a worrier by nature. I think I come from a family of worriers. I married into a family who are much the opposite. Not that they don't worry at all but they are much more patient and calm about things than I am. I can't tell you how many times my husband's said "it'll all work out" or the times my mother-in-law has said "whatever is meant to be will be" and the few times that I have talked with my father-in-law and his response is something to the fact of "don't worry about it. it will be okay".  Where my natural tendency would be to stress and say I need to fix it or come up with a plan NOW. I don't know if they are rubbing off on me or if I am doing some cognitive behavioral therapy with myself or what but I have been trying to consciously work on not worrying so much and thinking positive.
I know some people disagree with the whole power of positive thinking philosophy. I do agree that you can take it to an extreme. Just because you tell yourself you are going to have a good day or be wealthy or be successful doesn't mean that you will. However, you can chose to think positive or negative about any circumstance in your life. Some situations obviously would be harder than others. Some ways I have started implementing them are things that are struggles for me. Like unexpected bills I have to pay, I normally freak out over it and stress and worry and obsess over it until I come up with some plan that eases my worry. Also wanting something that probably I could have if I pursued it but I know it's not the best decision right now. I choose to think differently about both those things and it really has helped. I have to catch my impulsive or anxious thoughts and reframe them into accurate helpful positive thoughts. This is what I teach client's to do all the time but it's much easier to teach than it is to practice some times. I can practice it on issues that don't really bother me but those that are my weak spots I have trouble with like the ones I mentioned above. The two big ones that I have had recently really have worked out without me doing anything drastic or stressing over. The thing is for us worriers things hardly ever turn out as bad as we think they are going to so why stress over it in the first place right.
What's got me on this psychobabble kick today you ask? Well I really have been consciously working on it lately and seeing the benefits and today I went to and will go tomorrow on a all day Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy conference which deals with these issues. The presenter was a therapist through and through (kind of like I believe I am obviously he is much more knowledgeable than I am). His microphone went off in the afternoon session and instead of saying "Aw..crap the microphone quit working! It'll take some time to get me up and running. We are going to run late now".  Instead he said "the battery must of given out...It lasted a long time though.. all most all day". Both of those statements are equally true and accurate. If you think the first one you are going to feel mad/frustrated/irritated. If you think the second one you are going to feel appreciative/be understanding/patient. So why not think positive? Makes sense right?!?!  However, too most of us or people like me that doesn't always come naturally so you have to work on it but it will be well worth it.  (That will be $150 please. Just kidding)

Seriously and on a spiritual note, I think the power of positive thinking is biblical too. Man didn't come up with psychology. God created man and knows how our mind works. The Bible warns against negative thoughts and to cast our cares on Him because he cares for us. We as Christians should be the least of worriers because we know we serve a God who loves us more than we can ever imagine and even though life is hard He is there for us no matter what. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and our ever present help in time of need. He is our provider and nothing is impossible with God.

Two things that made my heart smile today:
1. I saw a very cute elderly man at UAMS eating lunch with his elderly wife which was sweet enough and then the man was wearing an "I heart Jesus" hat. As my pastor says when he talks about older people who are still faithfully loving and serving God. That it gives him (and me) encouragement that God is good and faithful or why would people that age still be willing to serve Him. :)
2. I was eating lunch by an area of the hospital that patients come in an out of. First there was this woman looked in bad health and looked like it even hurt to even walk or move. Those situations freak me out and I don't know what to do so I often freeze and the woman looked at me and gave me a huge sincere smile. It almost brought tears to my eyes as I was thinking this poor old lady. If I were her how grumpy I would be and probably be envious of younger able bodied people and for her to be so seemingly happy. I made my heart smile. So two seconds later another very similar lady came out so I gave her a big smile and she gave one right back. :)

GO BE POSITIVE PEOPLE!

The Grand Finale (drum roll)..A Day Out with Thomas

Warning: long post with LOTS of pictures ahead (but one that I think will be worth your time)

So we ended our Spring Break off right with a trip to Grapevine Texas to go have a day out with Thomas. Nash had an awesome time. This is probably right up there with Disney World for him.

We stayed at an amazing hotel, the Gaylord Texan, that could have it's own post all by itself and did a lot of shopping and got some good deals.

This was Nash's favorite part of the shopping. Hitting the motherload of gummy bears at a candy store. It had an entire area devoted to different kind of gummy bears.

While looking for the Thomas location, we found this street sign and knew we were at the right place!

Nash's first reaction when Thomas pulled in the train station.

(This would be him pointing and yelling "Thomas! Thomas! Thomas!" as loud as he could)

A family photo as we were getting ready to ride Thomas. Nash was just wanting to ride not take photos.

The certificate he got for spending the day out with Thomas.

Photo op in front of Thomas

Comparing tats with another little boy. Nash had Thomas and the boy had Percy. Nash would show his Thomas tat off to any little boy he saw that had one as well. It was like a badge of honor.

Meeting Sir Tophamhat. Nash suprisingly was not scared and gave him a high five.

After our day out with Thomas we went and ate at the Rainforrest Cafe. Nash loved it. Especially this alligator at the front who every once in a while steam comes up and he opens his mouth and looks around.  

Nash is in a big "name calling" phase. It started with "see you later alligator and afterwhile crocadile". Now he says "thank you alligator" or  "love you alligator". He also calls me a "silly hippo" from time to time but my favorite is that he has decided that we are all superheros. I am supermommy. Chris is superdaddy and of course he is super Nash. We have special powers like we can fly like Buzz Lightyear and Super Why.

This was our breakfast on the balcony. It was WONDERFUL.

The hotel had a lot of awesome stuff in it. Here are a couple of Nash's favorite things. This humongus train display that this picture just captures a small part of.

 And a cool guitar train display

Nash was very adorble in wanting to roll his suitcase by himself all over the hotel. He got lots comments like "oh my! look at the cute little boy rolling his own little suitcase".

BIG THANKS TO MIMI for an AWESOME trip!!!

The Zoo

Day 2 of Spring Break

We went to the Zoo with my family and had a good day. It was rather cool when we got there and I dressed Nash and I both for warm weather so when my 7 year old nephew decided he didn't want to wear his jacket I tried it on and wore it for a while until I warmed up.

I felt like a fat man in a little coat and was given odd looks for a while but it worked. Hey you never know it might be the next "in" thing (a three quarter length jacket that is also a midriff). You saw it here first folks!

Nash rode the carousal for the first time. It was one of those old fashion ones like we had when we were kids and Nash loved it.

We also saw the new penguin exhibit and it was really cool. Nash loved it. They were swimming under water and Nash said "it's flying".

Since we have already gone to Wye Mountain, The Big Dam Bridge, Pinnacle Mountain, and the Zoo I am ready for a lazy day around the house.

Pinnacle Mountain

Day 1 of Spring Break:

Pinnacle Mountain with Kat and Nate

It was a nice day to be outside. Other than a certain other two year old who was relentless and bullied my son. I was not a happy camper but very happy about how Nash handled it. He stood up for himself and told the little boy. "That's not nice. You don't say that. That's ugly."

We didn't attempt the actual mountain as neither one of us wanted to end up carrying our almost 3 year old son's down it but did enjoy the awesome playground and open grassy areas.

 Playing catch was hilarious for Kat and I to watch. Both of the boys liked to throw the ball but didn't get the concept of catching it. They would just wait for it to hit the ground (or them in the face and stomach) before they got it to throw it back.

An awkward pose as Kat told Nate to put his arm around Nash and Nash just standing there

The best toy of all for little boys. The digger.

two little monkeys at lunch time.

The Big Dam Bridge

This afternoon we decided to head out to walk to Big Dam Bridge and enjoy the beautiful day. It really was a great day to go. Nash loved it and walked pretty much the whole way there and back. I don't know why I haven't done this before but throughly enjoyed our afternoon. Since I have lived in Arkansas most of my life I think some times I take forgranted all the perks The Natural State has but really enjoyed it today.

 throwing rocks into the river

sunset

Nash at Wye Mountain

It was a beautiful day to go to Wye Mountain. I took lots of pictures of Nash as always in his Easter outfit. This year we went more casual. Here are some of the ones I really like.

First Trip to the Dentist

Nash has never had great teeth. His top and bottom two teeth grew in with brown spots on them. He us to  grind his teeth as a baby and has these visible intentions on his bottom teeth that I figured were either from him grinding his teeth or his overbite. What concerned me was the other night when brushing his teeth, the brown on the top looked darker so I brushed harder thinking it was something that would come off. It didn't so I felt of it and his top teeth felt like they were eroding. When I looked closer and it didn't look good so I called my friend Katie, pictured below with Nash who the best dental hygienist  ever, was nice to get me in real soon to have him looked at.

At first we thought we would just let them look at him and see what we thought and if he cooperated then we would do a whole appointment. The boy did awesome. He climbed right up in the chair and did everything like a pro. So he got the whole cleaning and everything. Katie was great with him so that helped. Here are some pictures.

Dr. Fox took a look and said he had mineral deposits from when they grew in. They were mainly on his first two top and bottom teeth but he did have some back on his molars as well. So he referred us to a Periodontist to have him looked at. He stated that they might want to fill them or cap them with something so they don't get worse. So that's our next step.

I hate that he has something wrong with his teeth. I am glad it's nothing too major and that I decided to go ahead and get him checked out and put him on my insurance plan. Hopefully if he has to have something done in the future, he will still have a good experience and still like going to the dentist.

one of my quirks

I have a lot of weird quirks and the following is one of them. Most of you that know me know I don't like to spend money. I really didn't start this quirk consciously for this purpose but never the less it started and fulfills the saving money aspect as well. This week Chris has been home (basketball is over). For those of you that care, we lost a heartbreaking gut wrenching loss to Clarendon in the District Championship came last Thursday night which would have secured us a place in state. Which that whole night could have it's own post as I traveled to the game in tornatic weather with my sister and son and got lost in seriously the middle of no where on a never ending road. Also for those of you that care we lost with less than a second left by 2 as we were tied and their guy shot and missed, our guy rebounded, their guy tried to force it out of his hand (which should have been a jump ball but we did not get the call) and their guy finally rips it out of our guy's hand and lobs up a ugly shot with less than a second left and it goes in. Yeah it was heart breaking!

Back to my weird quirk, Chris being home says to me the other day that the fridge, freezer, and pantry needs to be cleaned out. I couldn't agree more but was shocked to hear him say it as he never complains about anything not being clean or being unorganised. So I was thrilled to have him home and help as stuff like that usually doesn't take priority on my to do list. So we cleaned out all three places. In the fridge my obsession/quirk with condiments came to the forefront as I had many of them.

These were after some were thrown away and some fell and busted opened when they hit the floor.

I don't know when this quirk originally started but it always bugs me when people throw away unopened condiments. That just doesn't register with me. Why would you throw it away? You didn't even use it? At least give it back if you don't use it. Then, I like certain sauces and it's nice to have them handy at home if I need some. However, I had know idea I had so many. Chris totally made fun of me but let me keep as many as I wanted and made them their own spot in the fridge. To justify my weird quirk, I saw this guy on the Today show (long after my quirk started) who was called the "cheapest guy" or something like that who had all these creative ways to save money and saving condiments was one of them. I instantly felt weird and great at the same time.