Indy's Child | February 2013

Page 22

commentary and parenting

[ mommy magic ]

Mommy Magic Inviting Positivity into Your Life: Good (and bad) attitudes rub off Mary Susan Buhner

My dad used to say life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent what

embrace challenges to grow and opportunities to better themselves. We all

you make of it. We all have challenges, some of us more than others, and will face some form of adversity during our lifetime. How you react to these obstacles tells a lot about how you view life in general. I find that if I surround myself with people who view life’s challenges as an opportunity to grow and evolve that helps hold me accountable to do the same. If I let those who are negative in nature and choose to dwell on not making the most of things, I can easily get stuck trying to motivate and encourage someone who has absolutely no intention of helping themselves.

These people are, in fact, happy complaining and thinking that everyone else has it better. We all know someone like this. Recently, we were surprised with an enormous amount of snow shortly after Christmas. What a perfect time to enjoy all the fun and excitement that snow brings for children. A person I know who

typically start our day with our “energy tank” on full. If you surround yourself with

always seems to find the negative in most things announced, “Great. Now we all

negative people you are more likely to hit “E” faster than you would if you

have to deal with the snow.” As if snow itself had done something personally to

surround yourself with people who are encouraging and upbeat. These people

offend this person. What an exhausting way to view life, I thought to myself. How

can, in fact, add fuel to your energy tank instead of depleting it.

sad to let 10 percent of life get you down when you can decide to embrace and find joy in the 90 percent that is up to you!

A few years ago I was driving to Chicago from Indianapolis and pulled into a gas station to use the bathroom. While waiting in line I saw a small framed picture

I recently heard that research shows that if you surround yourself with healthy people that are making good choices regarding physical health, you have a better chance of making good choices and being a healthier person overall. Makes sense. If you hang around people who inspire and motivate you to do healthy things, then you are more likely to make similar choices.

hanging in the hall with a quote that changed my life. It was in the most unexpected place, but had the most powerful message that really spoke to me. So much so, in fact, that I wrote it down at the moment and now carry it in my wallet. The great American runner, Steve Prefontaine said, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift.” I love that he reminds us that we have the choice to do our best. It is, indeed, the 90 percent rule. We may have challenges, but if we apply ourselves and associate with positive thinking people, we are

It occurred to me after I heard this that the same probably goes for people who choose to view the glass “half full” and be positive versus those who view life as

more likely to do our best and reach our goals. This is a great lesson not only to learn ourselves as parents, but to teach our children as well.

“half empty” and choose to be negative. We do have a choice (most of the time) for who we spend our leisure time with and it can, in my opinion, impact your

Join the Mommy Magic’s Fan Page on Facebook and visit

choice to be positive or negative in nature. Personally, I find that I have much

www.Mommy-Magic.com to be a part of the mom community that supports

more energy and clarity when I am around those who are upbeat, positive and

and encourages moms in Indy with helpful tips for motherhood!

22 INDYSCHILD.COM


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