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I've been listening to the audio-broadcast of a conference called "Masterful Leadership: Leading Like Jesus" on my Audible App as I drive to and from work each day. It's been enlightening...encouraging...and challenging. I've paused the "book" to take notes. I've pushed the "back" button to listen to a specific segment again more times than I can count. And I've said "yes", "hmmm...", and "preach" right out loud to myself in my car several times. I listened to one particular section three different times. This section was on the concept of the "mood elevator", which was developed by a man named Larry Senn. Larry Senn is a leader in the field of corporate leadership and has written a book called, Up the Mood Elevator to describe and teach this decision-making concept. The Mood Elevator is a book that, admittedly, I haven't finished yet. But when I heard the mood elevator concept in the message from the "Lead Like Jesus" conference, I just had to share it because it was mind-blowing to me!
I mean...what mood is there that would be higher on the elevator than joy???
Joy is "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness". That seemed like the top option, as far as mood is concerned. Until the speaker shared with the audience that the top of the mood elevator is being grateful. Gratitude. Thankfulness. Appreciation. We make the best decisions when we are grateful. It made so much sense to me that I spoke out loud and said, "Oh, duh!" I think it's important here that we talk about how quickly we can take a trip up or down the mood elevator, if we're not careful. We can hear one negative comment that, if left unchecked, can quickly take us spiraling into an irritated, anxious, insecure state of mind that eventually could lead to anger and depression. It's so necessary that we keep our thoughts in check every day and focus on gratitude. During this last sermon series at church, our minister preached a sermon called "Don't Forget to Pray". In this sermon, he talked about staying alert to things in our lives that we need to take to the Father. He talked about being devoted daily to prayer. And he also talked about the importance of being thankful. I deeply appreciated his admission that there are days where it's very hard to find something to be thankful for. Sometimes we have to open our eyes and look hard to find opportunities to be thankful. In every circumstance, we can find gratitude. This attitude of being grateful in all situations goes hand-in-hand with the time we spend at the top of the mood elevator. And the more time we spend at the top of the mood elevator, the more peace and contentment we will find in our daily lives. So today and every day, let's be intentional about finding gratitude. Let's give thanks in all circumstances. Let's ride that mood elevator to the top floor and be the best we can be. Giving thanks from the farmhouse tonight. ❤️🏡❤️
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November 12th.
That was the last date that I wrote a blog post. I was going through life, keeping up with this fun Farmhouse journal and then BOOM..off-track. Off-track. Overwhelmed. Treading water. Survival-mode at home, at school, at Newkirk Photography. I had things I wanted to share. Inspiration I wanted to give. Encouragement I wanted to pass along. And instead...I just stopped. Just stopped. However, a lot has happened since November 12th. Deer season (I got two!). Our first Thanksgiving family dinners at the farmhouse (can't wait to share about that someday!). And we've almost made it halfway through the school year...WHAT!?! So anyway...I'm back. I'm feeling refreshed and looking forward to sharing some Farmhouse654 updates with you sooner than later. Happy Friday Eve, friends. ❤️🏡❤️ Hello! Welcome back to the Farmhouse654 Christmas Countdown Challenge!
We are getting ready to start week 3, but before I go there with you, I want to be real with you. I didn't get my kitchen done this week! I got the mudroom finished and the kitchen was on my zone list for this week, too. I've been catching up on some photography sessions and editing pictures. I stayed late at school almost every single day this last week and last night, instead of working on the kitchen...I watched a movie with my 10-year-old, Harlee-girl, and one of her besties. It is what it is. This is why the countdown concept works for me. I have now completed my Week 1 challenge of the Living Room and Entry-way. I have completed half of my Week 2 challenge of the Kitchen and Mudroom. And I'm (almost) ready to move on to my Week 3 challenge of the Dining Room and my Office. Instead of just focusing on those two rooms though, I'll move the Kitchen over on my calendar and get them all knocked out this week! I don't feel like I'm so overwhelmed by not completing half of the kitchen task to just stop and give up. Instead, I move the few parts of the kitchen over to this week and work hard to finish all three rooms before Week 4. This week, outside of our Zone work, we are focusing on our vision for the holidays. I really feel like it's important to set a goal and make a plan to get there. Set a goal and make a plan. I use this phrase in my classroom. I use it in my budgeting. I use it when talking to my girls about all areas of life. So today, we're setting a goal for our holiday season. What do we want our holidays to look like? To feel like? To smell like? What do we want our kids...our friends...our families to remember about this special time of year? What can we start doing over the next few weeks to make these dreams a reality? Make sure to print out our Week 3 Planning Pages to help keep you on track! I'm so grateful that we are on this journey together. I love sharing life with all of you! Happy November from the Farmhouse! ❤️🏡❤️ If you're just catching up with the Farmhouse654 Christmas Countdown, feel free to join the Facebook group HERE and print out the Planning Calendar and Week 1 Checklist HERE. Christmas Countdown Blog Posts Week 1 Week 2 |
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