A little boy said to his father, “Let’s play darts. I’ll throw and you say, ‘Yay, Johnnie!’ ”
That’s one of my favorite stories because, “Yay, Jean!” is one of my favorite expressions—I use it generously. I’m sure a lot of people would think telling oneself that is silly, immature and stupid. I’ll go along with the silly and immature, but stupid? No way. I use it when I’ve done something challenging—either because it was complicated or because it was something I didn’t want to do. If I manage to do it cheerfully and even enjoy parts of the process I figure a “Yay, Jean!” is well-deserved. It’s a lot better than feeling frustrated.
A recent Economist article explains how an approach like this is healthy. Researchers have known for years that a positive attitude tends to lead to physical health, now they’re starting to understand how it works.
At any rate I’ve been telling Andy, “Yay, us!” a lot as we’ve been dealing with insurance paperwork. He wasn’t so sure until I reminded him of his grandmother. She was about our age when she decided dealing with paperwork was too much to handle. So when checks and bills came in the mail she simply tore them up and flushed them down the toilet. Andy laughed and had to agree, we’re doing a little bit better than that.
What about you? Do you praise yourself/celebrate your successes much?
A positive approach is always the best. You really can’t go wrong. Yay Jean!
Oh, yes indeed. I praise myself by saying to myself “well done Mr. R” and I also tick myself off when I goof up by saying “You are a dumbo Mr. R”.
I used to expect everything to go well; it usually did & I felt great. Then when something didn’t, I blamed myself.
Now I love myself when I do well & use this motto “Never criticize yourself.”
I praise myself a lot, and for the same reasons as you – I’ve done something challenging or complicated or off-putting. I feel chuffed that I’ve managed to deal with something that seemed too daunting to handle.
Not a lot. I guess I monitor whether I am enjoying how I am and what I am doing more than praising.
never thought about it in those terms, but I guess I have up/down ideas towards self…
with the demise of the microwave, came a new adventure of creating better food, that takes somewhat longer to prepare…including re-finding the bake oven temperatures.
the other day it was a okay until the recipe said “roll out dough” but it wasn’t that sort of dough looking at me in the bowl so I dropped blobs on trays. It worked in the end, but that recipe isn’t going to be keeper!
today it’s a lemon cake, I don’t believe I’ve made it before although it’s from a handwritten period of aeons ago. It’s a bit wet in the middle but then again that might be partially the glaze seeping through – it’s tasty and it will do for tonight’s “bring a plate” for supper 🙂
i find i laugh at myself more and more.
i used to be very critical of me.
now it’s like i’m just laughing at an old familiar friend that i find amusing and feel great affection for!
but no. i don’t say yay tammy. maybe i’ll start! lol.
Rummuser,
When I was in my mid-twenties I noticed that I was very critical of myself but very supportive and understanding of other people. How dumb was that? So I made a vow to become my own best friend, supportive when I made mistakes and focused on bringing out the best in myself. One of the best decisions I ever made.
bikehikebabe,
Yay!
Nick,
It’s a great feeling, isn’t it? And it builds confidence so it’s easier the next time.
Evan,
I monitor a lot, but it also lifts my spirits to say, “Yay, Jean!”
Cathy,
That sounds like fun. Good for you!
tammy,
I laugh a lot too. My funny bone is easily tickled these days. Please do try saying, “Yay, tammy!” It’s a way of celebrating being alive.
Hey Jean,
Yes, I “yay, Max!” when I successfully do something – I rather do it myself than waiting for others to do it for me lol.
Your husband’s granny’s attitude is quite interesting (and funny too, I must admit).
Greetings of the Season to you and yours and (if we do not talk again this month) Happy New Year! May 2013 bring you everything you fight for and thank you for our interaction this year :D.
Cheers
How strange. I left a comment here a few days ago. but I don’t see it here. Just as well I came back to check. I can identify with what Jean said about supporting others and not oneself. It’s dumb all right, I did that too. Hopefully those days are behind us now. Yay Jean.
Max,
Thanks! I agree about doing things ourselves when we can. Whenever I started feeling frustrated or annoyed I ask myself, “What do you need and how can I give it to you?” It broadens my perspective and lets me see other options rather than being trapped in my initial reaction.
Maria,
Thanks for coming by!
Maria,
I found your first comment in the spam folder–sorry I didn’t catch it sooner. At any rate, thank you for writing and hope future comments don’t get sidetracked again!
This is a test.
Try again.
they are coming through here…but why on this old post I do not undersstand
Cathy,
Sorry about the nuisance. bikehikebabe had blocked her notifications and couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t getting any. I think it’s fixed now.
OK Cathy, this is the FINAL test on my part. When bikehikebabe said “Try again” Jean put that there. Sorry everybody.
okay, sorry Jean and bhb…just couldn’t understand