Be...   

My daughter gives me some really great and thoughtful gifts. The photo below is of one of my favorites. It is a small sculpture with interchangeable cards to remind one to be...

It suggests that we can choose to "be _______" for a few minutes, an hour, a day, a year, or even a lifetime.  

Sometimes, though, it feels overwhelming, or even impossible, to be patient or focused or courageous all of the time. Feeling like you can be patient for one interaction, focused for enough time to get a task done, or courageous to step out of your comfort zone for one event, seems more realistic.

You can remind yourself to "be..." by putting post-it notes on your mirror, make index cards to keep in your bag, or make a collage with words that are meaningful to you. You can also use the phrase to substitute for negative mind talk or as a mantra to give you confidence to choose the way you want to be.

Here are some ways "to be" from the cards included with my gift:

gracious - sensitive - yourself - flexible - kind - bold - in nature - helpful - inspired - understanding - nourished - generous - thoughtful - mindful - fire-up - resilient - involved - positive - intuitive - attentive - thankful - romantic - confident - joyful   

As you go through the next couple of hectic weeks, self care can be remembering to be ____________.