Monday, February 29, 2016

Day 9, 2/29/2016

Something I like about myself:
I never get tired of creating things, and when I do, I feel very fulfilled.

Something I do well:
I am very good at sharing my personal thoughts and stories.  I am an open book with most things.  I think this is a strength, because vulnerability really is something that many people struggle with.

Something that went well today:
Today was my 8 year official anniversary of being a couple with my husband.  We started officially dating on Leap Day 2008.  And I tie dyed a whole bunch of onesies, four t-shirts, and three burp cloths! I also went to the dentist and for the first time in over 15 years, my four front teeth on the top are all the same single color.  It's a huge step for me.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
Tomorrow I will get to teach my ear class at the junior college and I am looking forward to the balance portion of the class.  I am making vestibular models for reference.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Day 8, 2/28/2016

Something I like about myself:
I am resourceful and often "Macgyver" things into other things so that they work the way I want them to.  I'm not afraid to take something apart to put it back together.

Something I do well:
I have great musical muscle memory - and often play music that my brain has mentally forgotten, but my hands have not.

Something that went well today:
I forgot to mention the other day that I submitted an abstract and my biography for a talk I will be giving in September at a professional conference.  I am very excited, as this is my first one!

Today I made my husband happy, and I remembered to honor the nsim b'chol yom (the miracle of the everyday).  Today is the 2 year anniversary of my MS diagnosis, and I am still here, and I am still fighting, and I will be okay as long as I remember not to give into my compulsions and look at things that hurt me.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
Tomorrow I do not have to go to work, though I have a dentist appointment in the morning.  I scheduled this Monday and Tuesday off about a month ago.  I almost wish I hadn't now that I'm not doing well financially, but I really needed a couple of mental health days and time to get these dental appointments done.  I'm also picking up a storage ottoman from a friend - yay more storage!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Day 7, 2/27/2016

Something I like about myself:
I have eclectic taste - rarely do I truly get repulsed by anything.  I love bright colors and that's obvious when looking at my living room.

Something I do well:
I have accomplished an awful lot for my age.

Something that went well today:
The day has just begun - but I painted my toenails orange, successfully.  Still lookin' good.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
Tomorrow I intend to start getting serious about organizing for new baby coming.

Day 6, 2/26/2016

Something I like about myself:
I persevere, even when I am dead tired, when I have to get something done.  No excuses.

Something I do well:
I am good at completing tasks within a set time line; I have good time management.

Something that went well today:
Today, I followed up with a patient who was very happy with his hearing aids.  And, I made delicious chili, despite being nearly floored with exhaustion.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
Tomorrow is my 'church baby shower' at my friend Dani's house - I am very much looking forward to this.  I've never had a shower before.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Day 5, 2/25/2016

Something I like about myself:
I am quick-witted and funny.  I make good and easy connections with patients and people, and that makes them want to spend time with me.

Something I do well:
I am good at explaining things and making my patients feel comfortable enough to confide in me easily.  I had two just today who were happy that I shared some of my struggles with them - it makes me more 'human.'

Something that went well today:
Today, I got to run through the piano piece again.  It might not have been perfect, but I got all the way through it without stopping.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
I will get to come home to a relatively clean house and pick up a movie from the Redbox - I'm ready for a four-day weekend, even if there are two dentist appointments!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Day 4, 2/24/2016

Something I like about myself:
I am patient.  I am capable of working with people who otherwise are difficult to work with because I exercise patience throughout the day, and I do it well.

Something I do well:
I am a constant learner.  I don't believe there is anything I cannot learn to you.

Something that went well today:
Today, I finished the second movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata.  It is four pages long and I started learning it, officially, 12 years ago.  Possibly longer.  I did not play it all the way through in terms of start to finish, but now that I have officially played every note, I am confident that I be able to do so very soon.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
I will be seeing friends for dinner tomorrow and get baby times!  (This means I get to hold my friends' new infant, who is very sweet and bright-eyed).

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Day 3, 2/23/2016

Something I like about myself:
I am observant.  I am able to pick up on nuances of others' experiences and elaborate further, even when they don't think they said all that much.  I usually excuse their disbelief with this phrase: "I pay attention."

Something I do well:
I am a good teacher.  My students tonight said they were so glad to be taking my class - it makes me feel so blessed to be able to touch people's lives in a positive way.

Something that went well today:
The community education class was a success today!  And a patient I have not seen since last April came in and was just as grateful today as when he was first fit.  Great feeling.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
I might get Einstein's bagels (Noah's out here) in the morning.  That is worth celebrating :)

Monday, February 22, 2016

Day 2, 2/22/2016

Something I like about myself:
I am a creative person.  I just made up a cute little song for my husband's work predicament and made him laugh.  "That's the caliber of woman that I married!"

Something I do well:
I am passionate about my job.  I got very excited while speaking with patients today, which is my greatest strength at work - showing how much I love what I do, genuinely.

Something that went well today:
Today I sent an email to my greatest influence in audiology, beyond my direct mentor of course.  He's the person I emulate the most.  He not only remembered me, he agreed to come to our annual conference in September - and I had the connection!  I am so excited to get to see him again, especially because I'll be giving a talk at the conference as well.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
Tomorrow is the second day of my class that I'm teaching at the local Junior College.  I am optimistic that I will get a lot of participation and inspire the students!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Day 1, 2/21/2016

Something I like about myself:
I am an empathetic person.  I have a knack for connecting with others and listening well.

Something I do well:
I am a musician.  I recently finished memorizing the first two pages of Beethoven's Pathetique sonata.  This is a very difficult piece and I have no formal piano training.

Something that went well today:
I ran a meeting at church and completed everything I wanted to within twenty minutes.  I am a good, effective leader.

Something I am looking forward to tomorrow:
I get to help people at my job every day.  Tomorrow is no exception.

Why I Am Doing This

My wonderful, loving husband is a Psychologist, and he has been watching me struggle with ups and downs of Depression, Anxiety, and healing from a narcissistic mother for years.

I capitalize Depression and Anxiety in this context because they are like characters in my existence - enemies that I encounter daily and have to find ways to defeat.  They cause me to self-doubt and perpetually focus on things that might not otherwise bother me.

So he has encouraged me to start a "Positivity Blog," in which I have to say things that I like about myself and my goals.  This is because I have an inner monologue that constantly does the opposite.

Some days it will be a stretch.  I will have a hard time on the days that I have conflict, or anything that upsets my mood.

I hope you will be willing to go on this journey with me - and maybe you'll start a positive blog of your own with this format.

Love all,
Amber