It’s 2009 and time for the New Year Resolutions. What’s a girl to do? Lose weight? Get in shape? Cook gourmet? Connect with your husband? Be a better friend?
You’ve read, “French Women Don’t Get Fat” and “Beyond Atkins”; you’ve studied Trump and Kiyosaki, two billionaires who say, “We Want You to Be Rich,” and you’ve got a new “spoonula” so you can cook like Rachael Ray. You’re praying for the “Body by God” and you’ve decided to obey Dr. Phil’s guidelines in your closest relationships. Or, was that last year’s strategy?
Sure you can read another book, make another list and sincerely resolve...and you can be guilt-ridden again next year at this time because of lofty unmet goals!
Would you like to do something amazing this year? See a real difference? I have the perfect resolution for you (and for me). You do not have to purchase any exercise equipment. The needed apparatus is a half-inch from your nose.
It will be the most profound New Year’s Resolution you’ve ever made. Your friends will notice. Your family will absolutely love it. Your boss may even give you a raise. Your tongue may bleed.
What am I talking about? Three words: WATCH YOUR MOUTH.
I know, you don’t believe it, do you? I am as serious as I can be. If you will watch your mouth, guard every syllable that passes from your lips, choose your words very carefully - you will not be the same person at the end of 2009.
You’ve heard it, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Wrong. Words might be killing you. Yup, it’s a law God set up and the writer of Proverbs made it plain: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Think about it. We ARE eating the fruit of yesterday’s words today. How do I know? Listening! People say, “That just scares me to death...” “I’m afraid that won’t work...” “That terrifies me...” and they wonder why they’re an anxious, nervous wreck. They’re pretty much eating the fruit of those words.
People say, “My husband is driving me crazy...” “These kids are out of control...” “I just can’t cope...” and they want to know why their family is dysfunctional?
“That stresses me out...” “I am so frustrated...” “She irritates me...” “I can’t stand this...” “This just makes me sick...” It is any wonder that so many people are stressed, frustrated, irritated, inpatient, depressed and sick? Not a pretty fruit bowl is it?
Listen to yourself talk. Is that the fruit you want? If so, keep on speaking! If not, get a new plan for your mouth. It won’t happen overnight, but stay with it for a season or two and in due time, you’ll see a beautiful bowl of fruit.
This where your tongue bleeds; say, “I am happy and loving life!” even on the days you’re not feeling it. Declare, “My husband is a wonderful man...” even when he’s been a big slug. Tell your friends, “I love my job” even when you want to slap a coworker. Decree, “My kids are smart, funny, clean, good looking, generous, kind, unselfish...” Hey, it might work!
Someone might say, “Oh that’s just that positive thinking stuff...” You’re a genius! Of course it is! What kind of fruit do you want in 2009? Resolve to WATCH YOUR MOUTH.
Beth
