When my first child was a toddler, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about potty-training, but I ultimately turned to Toilet Training in Less Than a Day, having seen it work beautifully when my mom used it with my two youngest brothers.  (Okay, so my kid was only 20 months old and it took a few days; still a heck of a deal.) 

One of the points made in the book is that a child's whole demeanor often changes after mastering potty training.  They feel so proud of themselves that they become more agreeable and willing to try other new things, and every other aspect of their young lives improves immediately.  I have absolutely seen this happen with every one of my children, with regard to potty training, learning to read, and a long list of other large and small accomplishments.  Ever noticed that this concept works with adults, too? 

Okay, so I'm obviously not talking about potty training, anymore, but doesn't learning a new skill make you feel empowered and willing to step out and try other new things?  Doesn't it give you a new, brighter outlook on life?

Conversely, a friend once pointed out that when her kids were trying to conquer some new developmental milestone, they were often cranky and difficult to deal with.  She often didn't know what new skill they were about to master until after it happened, but it helped her to clue into their grumpy attitude and look forward to something happy, once she noticed the pattern.  She said that her child would just be impossible to coexist happily with for days or even weeks, then one day would miraculously walk across the living room for the first time and everything was happy again from that moment.  These wise words helped me have a better attitude when my babies/toddlers were a crying mess for no apparent reason, because I could take the position of excitement for what was about to take place, rather than dwelling on my mommy miseries of dealing with a miserable kid.

I think we are like that, too.  But we often get to that frustration stage and then just give up in discouragement, instead of pressing through to the really good part.  Is there a way we can see that period of struggle as the precursor to something great, rather than deciding we just weren't cut out for whatever it is we're trying to accomplish and giving up?

How can we use the "potty-training principle" to our advantage?  Need some empowerment and a rosier outlook on life?  Learn a new skill.  And it doesn't have to be any huge thing.  It could be something fun and creative you've always wanted to try, or an energy medicine technique that will benefit you and your family.  I decided to repond to a friend's challenge to join her in doing "planks" and finding out how long we could hold the position.  I surprised myself on the very first day, when I discovered I could stay in correct form longer than I had anticipated.

Bogged down in frustration over something you're trying to master and it's just not coming together for you?  Realize that you're probably almost there and things are going to get really exciting really soon.  Just last week, I was close to the point of wanting to give up on learning how to put this website together, or least tempted to take a vacation from it for a couple weeks!  Now, however, I've worked out a few bugs and feeling like maybe I can do this after all.

I think one of the most valuable and empowering skills you can learn is to use energy testing.  If there is one thing that benefits everyone equally and is empowering for everyone, that has got to be it.  Who doesn't want to cut through their busy brain and get right to their intuition to make the best choices for their health and their life?  Don't you feel empowered when you can access all the information you need without having to go to someone else to tell you what to do?  It truly opens up a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities.

How can you apply the "potty-training principle" in your life, today?

Did y'all see the Oprah show where the discussion was about women not putting themselves at the top of their "To-Do" lists and one woman said she forgot to even put herself on the list?  Was that an "ah-ha" moment for you?  Did you change the way you approached taking care of yourself?  Did you put on your own oxygen mask first, before trying to be of service to others?  Was it the beginning of a new day?

Or did you just nod understandingly, or shake your head at the poor woman, and then go on with your life?

Now, I've worked through my own issues in this department, so I have a pretty good understanding of what goes on here.  And yet I'm still stumped by all the people, especially women, who keep rattling off a list of excuses for why they're not taking care of themselves.  Oh, sure, they SAY they're on the list -- right after they go here and do this and do that and take care of some other stuff for their family/job/charity/[insert commitment here].  But somehow, days and weeks and months and years go by, and they just never quite get around to taking care of themselves. 

And here's the kicker, the thing that really gets me -- all those other responsibilities are so much harder to accomplish and take so much more time and energy because they're attempting to do them without the oxygen mask.  So, whatever they're doing is taking more time out of their life than if they made the time for some vital self-care to help them be more efficient.  How much longer does it take you to do anything if you're only getting half the oxygen you need?  And if you're getting sick on a regular basis and having to stay in bed for a day or a week, how much of that time could have been saved with an hour a day of activities that feed your body and soul?  For some of you, even half an hour could result in huge benefits (you know who you are). 

Figure out what's causing the disconnect and getting in your way, and focus on fixing that.   If you're like one of my friends, who gets distracted and doesn't remember to do self-care, take a page from her book and program your cell phone to give you reminders.  Or whatever the problem is, spend some time looking at WHY you're not taking the time for yourself and DO something about it.

Or maybe, you've made one pretty decent change in the way you care for yourself and you're just sticking with that.  You've done something good for yourself and checked it off your list and that's that.  Great!  Wonderful!  Are you feeling completely healthy and great now?  No?  Well, then it's time to add something else to your routine.  Baby steps are great, but notice it's plural....stepS.  What's next?  What's your next "one thing"?

I'm so glad you asked!  I have a few suggestions.....