Me, Mary Oliver and Positive Self-Talk

I have always loved Mary Oliver’s poem “The Summer Day” and her now famous lines “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Today I am sitting with this line from the perspective of what will I do with this one precious day? 

Today is the only day that matters. 

Today I have the opportunity to be here, enjoy, love, take care, connect, celebrate, nurture and nourish myself and others. 

Today I get to choose how I will spend my time, energy and talents.

What might be different in my life if I approached every day with beginner’s mind and fresh eyes?  If I treated each day as if it is a precious and finite resource?

When it comes to positive self-talk today, I focus in on what will have the most significant impact on my relationship with myself and with others in my life. What will change my beliefs, thoughts and actions?

Perhaps it is a simple as being present in the moment with myself. Going for a walk. Reaching out to see how someone I love is doing.

I realize how often I complicate things, make them harder than they need to be, judge them and hold on to them rather than letting the past be past and focusing on what I can change now.

Today I give myself a big hug. Today I choose love.

My positive self-talk today sounds something like this, “Minette, I love you, I choose to nurture and care for you today with healthy food, fresh air and creative time.”

In the comments below, I’d love to hear what positive words could you say to yourself today or which of the sentences above resonated most with you?

I often write positive statements in my journal or create art around these positive affirmations to remind me and to help me embody the positive feelings. Simply saying affirmations doesn’t work for me, I have to go the extra lengths to make sure I believe and feel the positive energy from my head to my toes.

Using lines from a favorite poem is another way to find creative inspiration and shift to a more positive mindset. I often use poetry as the inspiration for a visual journaling pages I love to make. I can physically feel my energy shift when I start with the positive.

Other times it’s important to let grief, sadness, or negativity pour onto the page first so I can release and transform it.

Working with our limiting beliefs and negative thinking is an ongoing process – there is no quick fix but when we are willing to look at what is holding us back, then we can begin to create change and shift our energy.

If you are someone who struggles to overcome negative thinking and limiting beliefs that keep you from living a meaningful and fulfilling life, creative coaching sessions with me can help. If you are ready to transform your life and find your courage and enthusiasm for what’s next, let’s connect. I offer a free 30-minute consultation to explore if we are a good fit. Schedule your free Breakthrough to Creative Courage consultation here.