More and more I recognize that I have the power to choose how I respond to different situations, how I think about them, and even how I feel. I can make a conscious decision to turn myself around, and feed myself positive reinforcement to make the task easier.

As someone who works in a job that requires more than full time hours, who is concurrently working on a doctorate, is married, and owns a house, making the most of every minute is important to my being successful in each facet of my life. Also, realizing that everything I do contributes to my overall physical, mental, and spiritual wellness is critical to making right choices as I go through my day. As my work, school, and home life bring new tasks, and as the typical daily tasks fill my time, I remember that attending to my own health is more important than the attention I give to any other situation. Unless I am at my optimal potential, the impact of anything I do for others is lessened.