Have you been asked yet, “How’s the new year treating you?” I have an even better question for you. How are you treating yourself in the new year? Sometimes we can be very hard on ourselves. We know all our own weakness and faults and tend to see them all at once when we mess up. We know ourselves so well that we have a hard time showing ourselves the same mercy that we would someone else. Here is an excerpt from my book, 101 Life Lessons From Uno (The One-Legged Duck), that will encourage us to be kind to ourselves.

Introduction

 Several years ago while on vacation, my family visited a beautiful lake with more ducks than we had ever seen in one place. While feeding them, we noticed one particular duck in the group. He had only one leg. The other one was there, but the foot was mangled and not touching the ground. My daughter asked what happened to him. I told her that it appeared as though he had been in an accident and that his foot could have gotten caught in a boat rudder or motor. My daughter named him Uno, the Spanish word for one. Uno the duck had a purpose. We have admired his perseverance, his determination, and his spunk at staying in the game even after his disability. Part of Uno’s purpose was to be an inspiration. I can think of no better way to let him inspire than in the pages of a book.

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Be a Friend to Yourself

Would you talk to a friend the way you talk to yourself? Would you call a friend the names you call yourself? Many times we sabotage ourselves with criticism and negative self-talk. This becomes a forceful wind that we have to push against to achieve success. If we had a friend going through the same thing, we would be supportive and encouraging. We need to be that kind of a friend to the reflection that we see in the pond. If you are a friend to yourself, you will always have someone in your corner.

 “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart”

(Proverbs 27:19)

Order 101 Life Lessons From Uno- in paperback (at a reduced price) or on Kindle