Smart Habit Saturday

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“When I was young and free and my
Imagination had no limits, I dreamed of
Changing the world;

As I grew older and wiser I realized the world would not change.

And I decided to shorten my sights
Somewhat and change only my country.
But it too seemed immovable.

As I entered my twilight years, in one last
Desperate attempt, I sought to change
Only my family, those closest to me, but
Alas they would have none of it.

And now here I lie on my death bed and
Realize (perhaps for the first time) that if
Only I’d changed myself first, then by
example I may have influenced
my family and with their encouragement
And support I may have bettered my
Country and who knows I may have
Changed the world.

By Anglican Bishop
Found in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

I can't say that I've ever tried to change the world but I definitely have spent way too much time trying to change the people around me. I finally decided that wasn't going to happen (even thought I still try once in a while just to test it!) so I thought I would just try to change my kids. Nope, not even that works. I can force my kids to change their behavior for the moment but it doesn't change their hearts so I'm stuck forcing them again and again and that just makes me tired.

All I'm left with is changing myself and leading by example. I told someone once that I was frustrated that my kids stayed up so late. Why couldn't they see that they were tired and go to bed on their own? She asked me if I always went to bed when I was tired. Well, no! What are you trying to say? I have to go to bed when I'm tired in order to set a good example for my kids? Imagine that!

So I think I'll work some more on getting to bed early this week because my kids need me to.


Good luck with your habits and don't forget what a wonderful example you are to your children with all your SMART Habit growing and changing.

My daily checklist for my habits if you want to edit it to use for yourself - Smart Habits

Here are the other habits I have been working on this year. Some of them are already habits and some of them still need a lot of work but all of them have improved my life. I think my greatest habit of all is my habit of making new habits!

Exercise - 2 days this week, not great.
Bed/Bath/Laundry - So great!
Using Habit Chart - Loving it!
Using Chap stick - Great! Oh yes. My life has been greatly improved by chap stick people.
Reading scriptures with kids - Good.
Getting to bed early, again - Nadda.
Crafts with kids - Nope.
Using Crock Pot - Using it a few times a week.
Paperwork, again, and again - Not even.
Have lunch ready by Noon - They wish.
Turn Off Computer during chores - Habit
Become a Dresser - Habit
Playing games with my kids - Not great
Reading my Church Magazine - Habit
Kitchen and studio clutter free - Better
Clear Counters - Great
Clear Desk - Good this week.
Review Planner - Habit
Daily Prayer - Good.
Clean Toilet - I have three toilets so I'm doing one every day.

*Important - Please link to your individual SMART Habit post instead of your home page or else my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder will have to spend time fixing the links. Here is how you link to an individual post if you’ve never done it before: Right click on the date at the bottom of the post you want to link to (or the post title depending on where you blog) click “Copy Shortcut” and then paste it into Mr. Linky.

I'm so sorry about standing everyone up last week! If you would like to link to this week's and last week's habits then please do so. It's good to be back!