"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." - Marilyn Monroe
So I want to share another awesome tip from my fave read right now - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens, by Richard Carlson. The suggestion is "Examine Your Headlines." Basically, we all have the stories and parts of our life that we highlight the most in our own minds and share with others. But these parts that we focus on aren't necessarily the whole picture.
When I first read this, I wasn't exactly sure what mine were, or if I even had them. I mean, I'd like to think I have a clear view of my life. But I started thinking back on the past year, and what some of the things are that stood out to me. And the first ones that came to mind were the mistakes I made, the regrets I had, and the times when I slipped up or didn't act like the person that I wanted to be. My headlines were all in the negative. My accomplishments, adventures, new friends, and the times I had stepped out of my box - those were lost somewhere on the back page.
So I think that now, as the year is coming to a close, is the best time of all to "examine your headlines." When you think about 2008, where does your focus go - drama, losses, mistakes? Or are your headlines mostly positive? Because don't get me wrong - it is good to recognize when something doesn't go right. That's how you learn. But your successes deserve some face time, too! And once you recognize your headlines, you can adjust them a little, if you need to. And adjusting your focus will give you a new attitude for the new year.
