Accentuate the Positive!

While standing face-to-face, looking into the eyes of my loving husband, I quickly popped a dark chocolate into my mouth. With a surprised look on his face, he went into interrogation mode. "Where is it, honey? I need my antioxidants too!" I tried to feign ignorance as he began combing through the pantry in search of his treasure. Stepping away from the pantry, I turned to see him holding a bag of Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats hostage. He gave me a semi flat look and said, "Tell me where they are or the deli flats get it!" I responded sternly that I was not going to find dark chocolate wrappers all over his desk. "I'm rationing them," I said, "and if you step out of the kitchen, I'll get you one." At that point, he mildly gave up and stepped into the garage. I grabbed a piece of the coveted dark chocolate and trotted to the garage. He said thanks as I tossed it to him.

At this point, let me say that the dark chocolates of which I speak are the Dove variety. Specifically, the Dove Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate Promises. Each wrapper contains what is supposed to be an inspiring message.

My husband joyfully opened his wrapper and partook of his prized chocolate. I asked, "What did your wrapper say?" My husband, being the ever witty person he is, looked at the wrapper and said, "Your wife is the devil. How did THAT get in there?" I shot him a shocked, playful look and said, "Okay, what does it really say?" He replied that the real quote was, "Accentuate the positive." I smiled and said sweetly, "Would you like to rephrase your comment?" He didn't skip a beat when he replied, "Your wife is the devil, but she has pink horns?" I about died of laughter at that moment! I love my husband!

It got me to thinking. What am I doing to accentuate the positive in my life? Am I surrounding myself with positive people? Am I creating opportunities for positive interactions with my family, friends, neighbors, and other members of my community? What AM I doing that is purposefully positive?

For starters, I am giving myself permission to take the time to write. It allows me to indulge the creative side of me. Taking the time to nourish myself in that way puts me in the right frame of mind when giving the rest of my time to my family or other endeavors. If I don't take that time for my own peace of mind, then I'm doing a disservice for my family and myself.

I'm also making the time for exercise. It's a challenge for us all. Working around work and/or school schedules and the plethora responsibilities we all seem to have can be daunting. We can come up with endless excuses for why we aren't taking that time, but in the end it's a choice.

Meal thinking is another area for which I'm making time. Why didn't I say meal planning? Planning sounds like it takes SO much time. I think people tend to shy away from meal planning because the mere term intimidates them. We think we just don't have time for that kind of thing and that we must be super organized people to accomplish the task. In truth, it's more important to do "meal thinking". I spend time thinking about the impact my meal is going to have on my body, my plan. I find that if I consider the consequences of having that chicken fried steak or that plate of fried catfish, I'm more likely to choose a healthier option. So, I think about my meals and consider what I need to eat to balance my nutritional intake. It's not hard to remember that I haven't eaten a fruit or vegetable all day, unless of course I'm trying to avoid considering that while I'm pulling my ice cream out of the freezer. My meals turn out more balanced as a result of thinking about what my body's needs are...NOT just what I'm in the mood to taste.

I could go on to list other areas where I'm practicing purposeful positivity. To be honest, there are certainly areas where I'm lacking, but I have to start somewhere. It feels great to be on the road to great health, but I can't become complacent. After all, well begun is half done.

What are you doing to accentuate the positive in your life? I'd love to hear about it.