Gold Star for you!

Have you ever wanted someone to give you a gold star for a job well done, like your elementary school teachers did? 


“Little Sally, great job on your homework, gold star for you!”

Well, I have a super special surprise for you… 
YOU can! 


​As much as I’d LOVE to show up at your door to give you that accolade, alas, I am not Santa with the magical powers to go around the world in a night. 


So no, it’s not me, but I know some who can do that for you. 

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Who is it then!?

There is an aspect of yourself that is wise and knowing. Think of her as your inner Wise Woman, Elder, or Crone. She has the divine attribute of celebrating and honoring, both the herself and others. 


A helpful trick I started playing with some years back, is to list my daily #wins at the end of the day. It’s helpful to acknowledge the things you DID DO and not dwell on the things you didn’t.


 I’ve found that it decreases anxiety, helping me stay positive, which fosters a better night sleep. Which in turn allows me to be more productive the next day.


I like to do this while in the shower, because water is magical and helps the process- sloshing the love and gratitude all over. But you can do this lying in bed, either in your mind or in a journal. 


What do you deserve a gold star for? 


Consider the good choices you made with regards to your body? Did you say “no” to that sugary treat or to that thing you really didn’t want to do? Go for a walk? Rested when it felt right?


How about contributions to the world? Did you make someone smile at the bus stop? Did your loving support encourage someone to accept themselves? Did you donate to a worthy cause? 


What about your beloveds? Did you resist murdering your hormonal teenager or stop yourself from dropping your terrible two year old off at the firehouse? Did you put down the important thing you were doing to listen and validate a loved ones feelings?


Every time you honor yourself for something you’ve done well, you’re training your brain to see that particular action as valuable, then you’re more likely to make that choice again. 


Plus, honoring yourself is a form of gratitude, which calls up the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing your stress level and increases your level of life satisfaction. 


So go on and be generous with those stars. 
You deserve it. ​