WHAT DID YOU DO RIGHT TODAY

Abused women often find it hard to think of anything they’ve done right. How can you get control of your life, if you do nothing right? You need to start noticing the things you do that deserve credit.

Here are some ideas about what you can take credit for:

• Making things better for someone else. Did you listen to someone’s troubles? Control your temper with your child? Shop for a sick friend? Prepare a meal? Smile at someone who looked lonely?

• Starting to get more control over your life. Did you make a decision? Make a phone call to get information? Begin learning to drive? Stay away from a destructive person?

• Making yourself feel better. Did you take time to look at the sunset? Take a long bubble bath? Walk for the fun of it? Play cards with a good friend? Go out to listen to music?

Make a list of all the things you did right today. They don’t have to be a big deal. When you’re feeling low, a small effort is worth a lot.

Suppose today you decided to take up jogging. Maybe you didn’t get any farther than one block. But you got up off your chair. You got some exercise. You made a step in the direction of change. You deserve to give yourself credit for that.

Each item you add to your list will strengthen you. The list shows that you’ve already done some worthwhile things. You’ll gain courage to try more of them. You’ll begin to get a sense of what is possible.

Chris discovered she was accomplishing a great deal. A kick in the head by her husband had given her epilepsy. But she went to school, and took care of her two preschool children.

“One day I was thinking, I’m not good for nothing, and then I thought, well, just what have I done today? I started writing it down, and I had half a page of stuff... I did the laundry and the dishes, went to school all day... You add it all up and, “Oh, gosh, you’re doing it, you’re making it”!”

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