FEB 16th Self-Concept & A Nice Discovery

Hello Journal & Friends,

A couple of days ago I was listening to a talk on my ipod by Brian Tracy,  a motivational speaker. He was on the subject of our self-concept and said we won't rise in life ABOVE how we see ourselves.

I paused my ipod to think about it, and decided--almost to my surprise--that I LIKE WHO I AM BECOMING. And I meant it. That was a nice surprise.

I resumed my ipod, and guess what he said next?!! 

He started talking about an area of research I had not heard of before, called "The Psychology of Becoming." He said everyone is always continually changing and growing as human beings, and becoming more and better and different. 

That we are always changing in the direction of our ideal "self", and in the direction of our dominant thoughts and dominant goals.  He goes on to talk in detail about things that hold us back from growing and changing in a healthy direction, and of course, how TO grow and improve and change in a good direction.

All that to say... I LIKED what I found myself thinking ABOUT myself! 

See, I can think back to much of my life where I was sooo disgusted with myself because all I could think about was my failure to be "strong" and lose weight. As kids, we grew up in a "just pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" environment, and I spent most of my life feeling ashamed of myself... wondering what was wrong with me... why can't I DO this?? This obvious and visible failure to "control myself" bled over into every area of my life. I used to think of it as a fungus, a mold, that spread silently into every crevice of my life. 

So, to realize last night that I genuinely LIKE who I am becoming... well, that makes me smile. And feel very grateful, calm, peaceful, and hopeful. And yes, strong inside. I think God meets us where we're at, and doesn't shove us aside just because we have flaws. I feel grateful that He always seems to bring something my way just at the right time when I need it. 

And this little coincidence... of me saying out loud to myself: "I like who I am becoming", and then the very next topic was all about The Psychology of Becoming... well, it was just too cool!!

My book quote for today: "All lasting growth begins with changes to the mental images you hold inside your head. They ultimately spread to the outside and create permanent changes in your circumstances. This is part of God's perfect design." --Tommy Newberry, The 4:8 Principle

My verse for today: "I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place." 

My quote for today: "Sometime in your life you will go on a journey. It will be the longest journey you have ever taken. It is the journey to find yourself." --Katherine Sharp

Feeling happy today and enjoying the journey,

Loretta

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DAY 913