New Years Resolution-For My Little Guys

The Decisive Element

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."
-Gerta Goethe-

I have loved this quote ever since I heard it in one of my college classes. It rings true to me more than ever, now that I am a mother. Having my own home and family makes it more personal to me. It is my mood and my reactions that set the tone in my home. I am a great influence in determining if my home can be a Little Piece of Heaven. It definitely isn't easy but that is going to be my New Years Resolution.
I want to create a place where my family can feel joy and peace and safety. A place where they can learn who they truly are and find confidence in that as they go into the world. A place where they feel accepted as they are, flaws and all, yet they still feel that encouraging push to rise up and be their best self, to be who Heavenly Father knows they are. I want them to see me as an unconditionally loving and welcoming presence. I want them to feel that home is a shelter from the storm. I want them to feel that they can come to me when they are sad or hurt or even when they have messed up. I want them to feel about me, like I feel about our Heavenly Father. His love is unconditional, He is always pulling for me and He is forgiving. I am not afraid to go to Him when I've made mistakes and I want my kids to know they can come to me when they've messed up and I can help them to get up, dust off and try again.
I wish all these things were easy to do but they aren't. It will take much effort and prayer on my part but I will try and try and try. I love my boys and want them to look back at their life growing up and remember their mom as patient and loving with a Mother Heart. More than anything I want a Mother Heart. It seems like a tall order at times but putting this into words is good because it holds me accountable. I am grateful that I can always try and do better. There is always hope. Wish me luck!