by Catherine C. Harris

Sunday: Make a commitment to yourself. In order to move through each day's activity and complete this exercise you will need to have a firm commitment and be dedicated to seeing things in a more positive light. Take some time today to think about the negative areas in your life that need an overhaul. You may want to make notes in your journal or diary, or just jot them down on scrap paper. The important thing is to look within yourself today and be honest about change.

Monday: Today you will focus on thinking positive thoughts. I want you to notice your thought patterns, and when you think a negative thought replace it with something more positive. For example: If you are standing in line at the bank and the line is moving slowly, instead of becoming agitated try to focus on the positive side of your wait. Use the time to plan tasks, or strike up a conversation with someone else in line. In order to become a more positive person you will need to rope in those negative thoughts that have had free reign.

Tuesday: Today you will focus on being positive in the area of your friendships. In depression, or negative self esteem issues the common factor is usually an extreme focus on self. Look outward today and express in positive ways the feelings you have for your friends.

Call a friend and tell them how much they have impacted your life for good. Write a letter to a friend you've been out of contact with and revive a friendship. Consider taking a friend to lunch, or sending flowers to your closest friend to brighten their day. Do something today for your friends that will show them you care for them. Be positive about your friendships.

Wednesday: Today you will focus on being more positive in your romantic relationship. If you are single, use today to be positive about your choices. As a single person, recognize that you are a whole person just as you are, and that you are worthy of love and respect. If you are married, or in a committed relationship, use today to do something positive for your spouse or lover. Revive the lost art of love letters and write a steamy letter that expresses your passion in a positive light. Make a list of the ways you can be a positive force in your loved one's life. For example, your list may include such things as: picking up a favorite magazine when it comes out monthly, leaving a flower on their car seat once a month, writing love notes, and setting aside private time to communicate during the week.

Thursday: Today you will focus on being more positive in the area of family relationships. This is a broad category which may include children, parents, siblings, and other family members. So many people are walking wounded when it comes to family relationships. We have the tendency to carry the negative happenings and memories with us throughout our lives, and if this goes unchanged we can becomes bitter and lose out of the more positive aspects of family. If you have unresolved conflicts this could be a day to lay them to rest. Life is too short to carry a grudge that will separate you from people that should be close to you. If you have issues that are too deep to forgive and forget make today the day you move forward and vow to be more positive about the time you have now. You can't change the bad things that have happened to you, but you can choose to stop letting them control you. Make some calls, send some notes, and hug the people that love you.

Friday: Today you will focus on your relationships in general. It's unfortunate that every person in our lives isn't a positive force. There are people in your life that are toxic. As you read that last sentence you probably had names and faces pop into your mind. These people seem to get much joy from tearing you down. They seem to enjoy making you cry, or making you doubt yourself, or they are downright walking negativity. Love yourself enough today to put your finger on those toxic people and work to eliminate them from your everyday life. It's unfortunate that some toxic people are in our families, so it may be impossible to remove a toxic person from your life totally, but you can limit your exposure to their dark atmosphere.

Saturday: A wonderful way to promote a positive attitude is to make your home a place of peace and positivism. It has been proven that if you repeat something consistently for 21 days it becomes a habit. Start your 21-day journey to a more positive thought process by surrounding yourself with inspirational thoughts and quotes. Look through your favorite books and find lines that have inspired you and write them on note cards. Other places to look for positive quotes or thoughts; favorite songs, quote sites online, friends, magazines, and your very own words. Put the note cards throughout your house, so that you see them often. Instead of just seeing them you will read the positive thought each time you come across a card. You might want to choose just a couple to start with.

I would love to hear how you used these exercises to make your world a more positive place.

You ARE the perfect YOU!!!

Copyright Catherine C. Harris 2001

Do you have something you would like to shout out? Send it to me at cc_harris252@yahoo.com.

by Catherine C. Harris

I am smart, creative, and funny. I am passionate, loving, and giving. Yet, I am rejected because I have a fat ass, or my stomachis too big, or I snore, or my hair isn’t the right length. All those things that do not make me the person I am because they are all a part of the body that houses my soul and spirit. People can glance and me and think, "Fat pig!" That kind of thing doesn’t rock my world. I can take someone that’s never met me, snubbing me on the street.

What makes me irritated then? I would have to say it’s the people that have taken the time to know my inner spirit, and then reject me when they see my picture. The people that love to hear my jokes, think I write brilliantly, love my picture, but reject me as soon as they find out I am not a fat Barbie doll, perfect and without snoring, those are the people that make me furious.

If my writing ability impresses you, and you laugh at my funny jokes, then what difference does it make if I have large thighs? If I made you feel good inside, made you smile and laugh, why would you trade that away at the first sight of my stomach? If I am everything you ever wanted in a woman, what sense does it make to discard me because I snore? If I make you want to stay up all night talking and make you forget you haven’t slept in 2 days, does it make sense to reject me because my hair isn’t the right length, or my width doesn’t suit you?