Michelle Renee Speaks

It's been approximately 60 days into my experiment.  Although I haven't written a lot in detail on this blog, I have been reflecting on the last two months a lot lately.   I thought I'd share my reflections with you. Ten things I've learned (or have been reminded of) in my journey so far: This is not an experiment for sissies. It takes determination and perseverance- every day- every week- every month. It's a lesson in perspective. The more grateful I am, the more I find a higher perspective in my every day life. The bigger picture wins out. Gratefulness breeds humility, knowing that I receive more than I ever deserve. I can choose gratefulness. I can also choose entitlement. It's a choice. The more I practice thankfulness, the more my circumstances don't dictate my frame of mind.  What I think about and dwell on overcomes negativity and fear. Selfishness is easy and natural as breathing. Gratefulness is difficult to maintain.  Gratefulness...

When getting into a lake, some people like to dive in head first. Not me. I have this need to slowly torture myself by getting in a couple inches at a time.  I am now 30 days into the "experiment" and am now up to my waist. When I finally accomplish waist level, I feel like I've overcome the hardest part.    In reality, I dove in head first...but the discipline of the action can be very different from the emotional, mental and spiritual growth. Yes, I'm up to my waist. It's not been easy. Any of you doing this with me know that to be true. But I also know this: developing a new habit- a potentially life altering habit- is never easy.  It takes intention . It takes energy . It takes commitment . It takes a vision . A few impressions in the past 30 days: I am blessed. You are blessed. When bad things happen, God is still good. Truly. Doors are closed, but others eventually open. They usually have a different shape and...

Thankfulness.  Gratefulness.  (Adj.)    The realization that we are blessed.  In more ways- each day- than we realize.     It's been an interesting experiment so far. It seems the minute I choose something and begin to "practice" thanksgiving throughout the day, I am suddenly in deep testing mode.  It's not been easy doing this for even a week. This was a surprise to me. For some reason I thought practicing thankfulness would be a breeze- natural- like breathing.  I had another thing coming.  I guess this thing that came was called "life."  As in the first day when I chose to practice gratitude for my job... it was the worst day on that job I've ever had.  I'm not kidding. A sampling of what I practiced this week: job(s) my beautiful house moments of silence good health that we can choose growth, not apathy that we can pursue our calling in life the helper that brings peace, comfort and wisdom to m...

I had this idea the other day.  It came on a particularly bad day too. It must be that little voice in my head again. In fact, this idea was inspired by the very notion that sometimes...okay many times...it isn't easy to focus on the positive. My gut tells me that it's more like human nature to dwell on the negative. Whether it be fear, doubt, worry, negative circumstances, the past, some annoying co-worker or a miriad of other emotions that crop up- let's face it- they can get the best of us. I feel like I used to be more of a positive thinker when I was younger. Sometimes life has a way of wearing a person down.  In those times, it takes purpose and conviction to change the mind, and with God's help, the heart will follow. My idea was this: What if, for 90 days, I purpose to focus on gratitude? How would it change me, my outlook, my relationships and every day life? Here's the plan: Each morning I choose one thing...