Get the rake ready, negative thoughts and dead leaves can be treated the same.

Photo compliments of ArtbyMichelle
http://www.squidoo.com/free-fall-clip-art-images

I am standing in my doorway looking over my patio. Years ago, we had a deck added to go into the woods so I could hang bird feeders, sit under the shade of the big sycamore tree, and take in my little corner of world.  For almost 15 years, I have watched this tree grow quickly and host many forms of birds, squirrels, raccoons, and opossums.  

We have quite a relationship, that tree and I.  I can look at that tree and know when the seasons are changing despite what the calendar has listed. 

The spring brings about tiny buds of leaves and within a week or two, I have a fantastic shade tree. I can literally sit for hours reading a book, watching my kids play, or just relax in the comfort of a nice breeze. As the summer approaches, it gets hotter, and in Alabama heat and humidity, it is almost unbearable to sit outside for any long periods of time.  By this time every year, Alabama and August bring about oppressive air and it is frustrating to me that I cannot enjoy my patio and deck. 

It's frustrating, because I cannot CONTROL something that is very natural and normal.

Have you ever had something in your life that you could not control because quite simply, it is not within your ability, your responsibility or business to control it? 

It is times like this that NEGATIVE thoughts may fall upon you or surround you.

I notice today that the leaves are turning brown. Some have decided to start falling. I immediately think to my self that the deck will be full of dead leaves and I will have to go out and rake them to be able to enjoy the deck. And as soon as I clear the deck, it will be full again.

Sycamore leaves are big. They crumble, crunch, and can consume an area within weeks of falling. 

Your negative thoughts are EXACTLY like leaves. 

CHOOSE TO LET GO OF WHAT YOU CANNOT CONTROL and CHOOSE TO EMBRACE THE NATURAL OCCURRENCES IN LIFE KNOWING THAT IT IS TEMPORARY-LIKE DEAD LEAVES. 

Instead of embracing and enjoying the cycle of life that this tree represents, I fight it.

I can CHOOSE another option and so can you.

Choose to allow negative thoughts to fall around you like dead leaves. Do not allow them to build up and decompose around you. Rake them away, knowing each thought, much like leaves, will spring back with glorious beautiful beginnings like the trees that produce them.

Replace every one negative thought with two positive ones. You CAN do this. Look around you.

What are you thankful for?
What are your blessings in life?
How have you helped others in life?

Thinking about these things will help you to realize that life choices allow you to live a life of abundance and love.

Make Good Choices.®, and allow yourself moments each day to clear your negative thinking.

Nanci Scarpulla, M.Ed.
For Make Good Choices.®

To learn more about Make Good Choices.® and to order our book, Make Good Choices.® 100 Choices that Lead to a Better Life, visit www.imakegoodchoices.com.

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