If You're Thinking Good Thoughts... I Challenge You

Good morning.  Or should I say afternoon.  It's been an interesting couple of weeks and a lot has been piling up in my mind.  It always tends to take form on one subject, because (let's face it) when we have anxious minds, we tend to obsess on one thing til we have beaten it to death, buried it, dug it back up, beat it again and then truly laid it to rest.  It's what we do.  Embrace it.  So...like I said, lots piling up on my mind.
I'm a mom.  I do mom things.  Chauffeur.  Feed and water. Referee. Organize (sorta...my house is a bit of a disheveled situation)  Schedule. Love. Honor. Cherish. Fret. Scream. Hug. Doctor. Nurse. Reader. I'm sure you get the point, cause this list could go on and on.  Well, here's the deal...my kids are great about telling me they love me.  And my heart skips a bit when they say thank you or how special something is out-of-the-blue.  I guess we (my hubs and I) have drilled it into their heads a million times and it's sticking.  Kinda like post-its glue, but it's getting stronger.  So...YAY!  Success.
But as I think about it...I realize that all these positive thoughts we as adults have in our heads, we very rarely say.  I can think, at least twice a day, that I am proud of my husband.  He works hard for himself, his family, his faith.  But do I tell him...not everyday.  Should I tell him.  ABSOLUTELY!  EVERYDAY!  He's struggling a bit with his happiness in his job.  Feeling looked over, taken advantage of...and he's seeing things everyday that have him questioning ethics.  That's tough.  One of the things I love and value is his commitment to his ethics. His strong sense of self and what he stands for. But he faces the challenge everyday and keeps pressing on.  Looking for work, cause he wants and deserves better.  On his athletic endeavors, pushing himself to be the best he can be.  But keeping  a balance in his life to spend the most with his children and his wife.  It's one of the things I love and value most about my parents as well.  They are so ethical in their work, even when their industry is telling them to fudge things a bit. They, just as my husband, stand their ground.  Even if it comes at a loss.  Because it is right.  And they always seemed to have balance.  Even with so many kids running around.
Now, I'm going out on a limb here, but I would guess my husband also thinks positive things about me everyday...but again, does he tell me.  Nope.  And as women, you know I'm right here, we like to hear it.  Tell me how awesome I am.  What a great mother I am. How proud that I'm taking a new track in life and embracing it.  (I'm going back to school, by the way...eep!)
Every so often, I send notes like this to my girlfriends.  Just a text to tell them how special they are.  What great moms they are.  How amazing they are.  Because I know it uplifts them and it does matter that someone notices. Just a little smile on the face.  It goes a long way.
I CHALLENGE YOU.  For the next month.  Tell your partner everyday, at least twice a day, how amazing they are. How wonderful they are. What a great parent they are. How you value that they stick by your side through your rough times. How proud...PROUD.  What a word...PROUD.  It's amazing when someone notices the little things.  Like the struggle and excitement and anxiety of making a change in their or your life...and you handle it with grace.  How awesome they are or you are for balancing this ever unbalanced life that we all lead.  SAY IT OUT LOUD!  SAY IT OUT LOUD!  To their face.  In front of your kids (so important, btw).  In front of others.  In private.
I'm going to take this challenge to my husband.  I'll get back to you in 30-days.