Our lives are overflowing with choices – what time should I set my alarm? what should I eat for breakfast? do I really want to work out today? should I do the laundry or play with my little one? how am I going to show up for my family? what energy am I bringing to work? You get the picture. Every single thought and action that we make during our chaotic and crazy day is one hundred percent our choice.

Now this can either be empowering or overwhelming – that’s your choice. See what I did there? 😉

As a mom, I am consciously making the choice every day to put Beau’s happiness and well-being ahead of my own. I have the choice every single morning to walk into his nursery either (a) dreading my crying baby who has awoken me from a deep sleep and needs my love and attention before I have had a single cup of coffee or (b) putting the biggest smile on my face, so grateful that I have this amazing gift to care for and love (and knowing that a cup of coffee will shortly ensue).

I truly believe that this choice is the most important piece of my day. How I start my morning and the energy that I bring into my little one’s nursery is contagious. When Beau sees me smiling and so full of love he responds to that energy I’ve put out there. On the flip, you better believe when I bring my “mom needs a cup a coffee before I deal with whatever you’ve got going on in here” attitude, my little dude responds to that too – just not in the best way to start our day.

It definitely takes a whole lot of practice in shifting your mindset to recognize that you have the power of choice in how you show up – for your little ones, your older ones, your husband, your family, your friends, your work. I’ve listed some tools below to help you with this shift. Starting with this simple belief that you have the power of choice in every moment is the foundation in how you take care of yourself as a mom. With this mindset, you can begin to make the choices that align with your vision and goals, your values and your beliefs; you can choose happiness.

TOOLS

• Earbuds in…
  • Susanne Conrad – Happiness is a Choice:
• Pens up…
  • Draw a large circle on a piece of paper. Place what you do want on the inside of the circle and what you don’t want on the outside of the circle. By consciously thinking of the things that you do want in your life (health, career, contributions, family, relationships) you will become clear on your vision and goals, values and beliefs. With this in mind, make the choices in your life that support these things.