Happy, Healthy, Full of Energy!
When I was a single young adult living in Los Angeles, I learned this little motto during my time studying at the L.A. Civic Light Opera Workshop. During my four months of classes for three nights a week (maybe four nights, I can’t remember for sure... it was a LONG time ago!) in concentrated study with approximately twelve other actors, dancers, and singers, this declaration was forever branded across my psyche! And I loved it, “HAPPY, HEALTHY, FULL OF ENERGY!
Honestly I was amazed that I actually felt empowered and strengthened everytime I said this little phrase. Just one more lesson in learning the POWER OF OUR SPOKEN WORDS.
Fast forward to being 43 years old with a newborn, 2 year old, 4 year old, 8 year old, 10 year old, and 12 year old (yes, I personally gave birth to all six children! No I didn’t think it through. Just teasing, I love having a not so small family!) It was surprising almost thirty years later this “declaration” still affected my attitude! As the number of little ones in the playroom grew, I had to grow also. Some of the most significant discoveries was that it was MY ATTITUDE THAT SET THE TONE IN OUR HOME AND IN OUR CHILDREN!
Here are a couple more challenging revelations: (Okay let's admit it, we all supposedly KNOW these truths! It’s just hard most times to really do them!)
#1 I HAD THE POWER TO CHOOSE MY ATTITUDE, EMOTIONS, & OVERALL STATE OF MIND.
Sorry, no more blaming everything and everybody!
#2 MY WORDS WERE THE KEY TO MAKING GOOD OR BAD CHOICES IN THESE AREAS!
If my words were that important in creating positive direction in my day, it was crucial for my kids to learn to speak life too! I made a very real commitment to instilling into my children WORDS that would become a lifelong source of joy & strength.
“Happy, Healthy, Full of Energy” became one of many verbal pictures of our family’s choices to live BIG. We began to SEE ourselves as a “happy family, healthy and full of energy” and we liked it. CHOOSING HAPPY always feels good!
It's hard to stay sad or mad when you’re having fun together, celebrating “happy” and making it the norm. This doesn’t mean you are laughing and smiling 24-7, but you can have a culture of order and peace, enjoying life together, excited about the future and aware of your many blessings!
So, don’t give up on your attitude or the attitude of your kids. We must take responsibility for the atmosphere in our homes and set the pace and direction of our words as the adult leader.
We really can determine to silence the negative, critical, pessimistic dialogue. As we consistently speak WORDS of love, peace, anticipation, and hope, they will have a greater and greater effect on everyone and we will feel the energy rise. You will see a change!
Remember it’s “Happy, Healthy, Full of Energy” and it’s hard to say it five times and not get a smile on your face. At the very least, it will remind us there is a good choice we can all make EVERYDAY, all day long! Go for it!
It would be great to hear from you! What family mottos or declarations have you created or used? ❤️
Never Give Up!
DeAnza Duron
