I read the facebook post of a friend today that read: “How can it be almost Monday already? Going back to work kicking and screaming!” As soon as I read the post, I gave her a virtual high five, because I could totally feel her pain. Her post even helped me begin my own impending dread of Monday which usually starts about noon on Sunday. As I read her post, I noticed that I began awfulizing Monday and getting depressed. It took me until Wednesday to get over my “Monday Blues” last week. My status last Monday night was: “One day down”. Really? Are things THAT awful or is it all about perspective?
The reality is, no matter how much I dread Monday, Lord willin’, it’s coming anyway. If there were some chance that I may not live to see another Monday, I am sure my perspective about Mondays would change. One could argue that most people’s perspective would change in an extreme situation like life or death. I am realizing that you have to be intentional to change your perspective about the regular ol’ Mondays that we get blessed with every week.
Ya’ll know I like to KISS—(keep it simple sista) so; I researched how I can change my perspective about things, specifically Mondays! Here goes:
I found that the best way to change my perspective is to change my thoughts! New age thinkers write about the Law of Attraction. The Law of attraction says that all my thoughts, all the images in my mind, and all the feelings connected to my thoughts will later manifest as my reality. This concept has SOME merit in that I started dreading Monday on the Sunday before and by Monday night, I had good reason to celebrate it being finally over.
God’s Word has a lot to say about our thoughts as well. One of my favorites is Philippians 4:8.
Phil 4:8-9 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Phil 4:8-9 (The Message translation)
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Wow! Being worked into God’s most excellent harmonies sounds marvelous, exciting, and peaceful. Here is what is true, of good report, praiseworthy, beautiful and compelling about my Monday:
Monday is the start of a new week that I have been blessed with.
I have a job to go to every Monday!
I teach Zumba® on Mondays to the most awesome group of women EVER.
My girls are always so excited to start a new school week!
What is true, noble, beautiful, praiseworthy, gracious, or of good report about your Monday?
First of all, thanks for following me at Cheapskate4Life, and I am now following you back. Second of all, this post is awesome. I really needed to hear those words and I love that you helped to explain the passage, as sometimes when I read Bible passages, I tend to read without thinking, ya know? This helped me to really understand what it means and it makes SO much sense – when we dwell on the negative things, it makes things much worse. I've found that when I complain about things a lot I get more mad and stressed out, but if I just move on and don't talk about it, I'll be much more positive! Thanks for the Monday pick-me-up!
Having a positive attitude definitely helps! And why not- especially when it is over something that we can't control anyway!
I have no job to go to, but it is a beautiful day, my asthma is under control, and I'm getting excited about a crazy plan for the future. Happy Monday!
YES! Our thoughts are SO powerful – I'm learning this more and more every day. I've been thinking of an artful & creative way to display that philippians verse where I can see it every day. Have you read or heard of the book, “Battlefield of the Mind”? It's all about this idea – a great study!
~h