A Word for Wednesday: Taking Stock (Part Three)

Well, these posts just don't flow out of me naturally...clearly since it has taken over 2 months to write them. I have to make myself take the time to write them - I started this one over 3 weeks ago, but then lost it in draft mode. I guess that's kinda of telling about my need for discipline. Though, honestly, I think I'm pretty disciplined in general...or at least people looking from the outside may think I am. Obviously, there are areas with need for improvement. This is my last "taking stock" of my life and discipline post. I'm hoping future posts will specific to one area I notice improvement in or strategies that help us toward our goals or brand new perspectives I have on discipline. We shall see....

Taking Stock

Parenting: Ariel is ready for some discipline for her behavior. We've been noticing some attitude developing. She makes eye contact, occasionally, as she does things she's been told not to do as if challenging us to do something about it. She has the facial expression to go with these too, pursed lips even cuts her eyes a little. Ooo. We take the challenge...we do something about it. She seems to respond well to correction though generally, thanfully. Our current methods are spending time - 1 minute for 1 year - in time out and we say no (maybe when she's a little older I'll try more positive correction, but most of it is safety-based right now). I do try to ignore some things that are just attention getters if I can...like the whining. I'm very new at this and I boy do I feel like it. I'm just trying to be consistent and realistic in my expectations of her. She's only 1, but then is again she is 1 now. We have also started some early stages of potty training. This seems to take more discipline on my part than hers at this point. I know discipline doesn't just mean correction; it means teaching. Everyday we try to teach her little things...it seems like every thing is a learning experience for her. It can be refreshing to see things in her eyes.

Marriage: I'm trying to be disciplined in makine this relationship top priority. I don't believe good marriages just happen, they need attention and care. That's why we are occassionally reading marriage books this year. Just keeping it on our minds. One area that I am trying to improve on is the way I handle problems. I need to make sure I take the time to talk things through and such. I also need to be intentionally kind to Jason. For some reason, it is too easy for me to be a plain old jerk for no reason. I have a wonderful husband, but from the way I act it wouldn't always seem like it. ...Oh, I need to do so much better.

Relationships: My relationships with other people are important to me, but it is sometimes easier for me to focus on the more objective areas of life like cleaning, cooking, and organizing. As a result, friendships get pushed to the back burner. I am making some efforts. I am trying to make it a point to thank people in writing and in person for the kindnesses they show. I am trying to pick up the phone more and call my friends just to check in on life. It's not that I don't think of people or care, I just don't do this regularly. Sometimes texting or facebook messages are easier, but I really think talking is healthier. I'm trying. I just want to be intentional and make sure my friends and family know I care about them. It's not the most natural thing for me...so discipline.

School/Work: These two are all about discipline. Mostly, they require discipline to stay important, but not more important than my family. They need to be done, but with balance in time and energy and attitude.

Shew...now I realize how much we need discipline in this house. We have some, but there's plenty of room for more.

Yuck, what a boring post. I didn't even enjoy writing it. Bless you for making it this far...if you did. :) No more like this one.