Playing Games with Your Mood

So my niece is back in town for just a bit and we got together with the family for some fellowship yesterday. As we sat down to the

table, the familiar sibling argument began between her and her little brother about who is going to sit where and who gets to sit next to mom. The updated version includes who is playing with the electronic device of the moment and how it’s now my turn and you aren’t sharing No fair! MOM!!! They argued as they settled at the table. Anyone who grew up with siblings knows this is just how kids often talk to each other. Who remembers the whole stop touching me, he/she is touching me round about? Drives parents insane!

Anyway as they continued finding things to complain about, I challenged them to play a game. Each person has ten seconds to say something nice about the other person. I like your shoes doesn’t count. It must be about who that person is or something you admire about what they have

done. You know the kind of things we say about someone when they are not around but often fail to say to them directly.

They didn’t want to play this corny game but I have my ways & with a seamless tag team from their mother, we were off and counting down round one.

The cool thing is as we went back and forth, they began to out do each other with the nice things to say. I’ll bet they learned something about how the other one felt and what they like that they did not know before. Things they miss about each other when they are not around. Things they admire about each other’s personality.

It shifted the entire atmosphere at the table into a fun-loving conversation. Because as their aunt knows all to well, it is impossible to spread love and speak life about someone else without shifting your own mood.

For today’s motivation, I want to challenge you to do the same. First I want you to list at least 10 things you like about YOURSELF within 30 seconds. No, your nice outfit doesn’t count. Do not be shy. No one else needs to know how wonderful you really thing you are. Be unapologetically complimentary to yourself. Ready? Set. Go!

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Cool, now pick the first person that comes to your mind that you have an issue with. Ahh- nope I said the first person. No switching. It is what it is. You can play another round with another name but that name came up for a reason. I’m serious. Ready? 30 seconds, at least 10 things you like about that person.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Did you do it? If so, what do you notice about your mood right now? Was it difficult? That’s okay if it was. The more you practice, the better you will become AND the more likely you are to learn how to motivate yourself by motivating someone else. So now you can play games with your mood and shift yourself into a more positive place. Cool stuff huh?