Stinkin’ Thinkin’

My sis, who is a year younger than I am, and in long-term care, had a phrase for the type of thinking or attitude that I have been fighting recently - stinkin’ thinkin’. I think she picked it up from her AA friends. If I were to apply today’s buzz words to it, it would be a “non-proactive attitude.”

When I first heard the word “proactive”, about 10 years ago in a corporate world, I hated it. As time passed, and I took some free seminars and training in relationship skills for the work world, I grew to admire what it stood for. Anyway, back to stinkin’ thinkin’.

There are days when I feel weary of all that is expected of me, even though I seem to be able to handle it. When I allow the “stinkin’ thinkin’” to creep into my mind, the days seem longer, the tasks seem heavier, and I seem to mind it all more and more.

Today, and once or twice yesterday, I tried one of my old tricks, turning it around and thanking God that I was able to handle things. I thanked him that he trusted me to do it. I thanked him that he helped me do it. I thanked him at the end of each task I finished.

At the end of the day, both days, I felt better about what I had done. I may not have accomplished all I wanted to, but what I managed to finish, I finished with a lighter spirit and less heaviness of heart and soul.

Thank you, Dear God, for all the help you give me to soothe my troubled spirit, the help I take for granted.