the war on negativity

The motherhood war is in full-force.  

The working mom vs SAHM.  Breast fed vs bottle fed.  Homeschooling vs traditional school. Natural births vs epidurals.  Family bed vs the crib.  Video games.  Too many children (or not enough )  Vaccinations. Television.  Too much stimulation. Decorating in the right colors.  Eating organic.  Prozac. Daycare.  Discipline.  Rear-facing carseats.  Too much sugar.  Too many rewards!  

We could fight all day about what we do differently and how it's better than Mrs. Jones.  The truth is, we're fighting the wrong war.  What we don't realize that we are on the same team!  We have more in common than we are different.  It doesn't matter if we make homemade Valentines or whether we go to church on Sunday.  We are all doing our best, and our best is good enough.

We have to ban together as friends and neighbors and strangers.  We must dress in armor of self-acceptance, individuality, and optimism.  We must try to view others in rose colored glasses and encourage them to bring their talents to the table.  There is no time for judgement or insecurities.  The war is waging and we have great things to accomplish... and none of those things are crafts pinned to an internet board.

• Look for the good in others.
• Compliment yourself for doing things your own way.
• Don't judge a book by it's picture on Instagram.
• Spend time doing things that bring you JOY.
• Be confident that the decisions you make for your family are the right decisions.
• Look at a stranger in the eyes.
• Smile.  
• Offer to serve someone who bothers you.  
• Be proud of who you are, don't feel intimidated.
• Encourage others to be who they are.  Celebrate their strengths and learn from them.

Don't spread the negativity.  It's the real enemy.  It infects our friendships, our marriages, our homes.  Don't let it in.  We can fight this war and win if we stick together and uplift those around us.  Our children need to learn to be respectful, self-assured, and accepting.  They learn only by example.  

Some of my favorite quotes:

Every man I meet is in some way my superior, and I can learn of him. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

A survey of one hundred self-made millionaires showed only one common denominator. These highly successful men and women could only see the good in people. -Jacques Wiesel

If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us face, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care. - Marvin J. Ashton