She turned her fiery eyes to me, dropped her lip to the floor, and snarled, "NO."
Seven is such a joyous year. It comes with smiles and giggles and great conversations, but that's all countered by OMG THE MOUTH ON THIS CHILD. She has an independent streak ten miles wide.
I have no clue where she gets it from. Ahem.
Alexis and I went back and forth a few times, her turning more and more angry as I calmly reminded her that I am the Queen of Her Universe and this is a dictatorship. If I say, "go to bed," the appropriate answer is to turn around and run into your bedroom.
The appropriate answer is NOT to argue with me.
Alas, Alexis was in the mood to argue. I, apparently, was in the mood to come up with randomly awesome lines of wisdom. "Alexis, there are only 24 hours in a day. Do you really want to spend this one fighting with me?"
Alexis paused, stomped her foot, and stormed away to bed, all the while mumbling, "No" under her breath.
I think she was admitting I was right, which I was. There are only 24 hours in a day. Is this really how you want to spend this one? My own words ringed loud in my ears, immediately settling in under my skin and forcing me to face the fact that I could very often stand to consider that exact thought.
A few weeks later, I think "Is this really how you want to spend this one?" a lot. Every time I turn to the laptop to goof off. Every time I fixate on trying to change something that cannot be changed. Every time I find myself wanting to complain about whatever situation.
Is this really how you want to spend this one?
It's the question that has helped me focus. It's the question that has helped me let go of guilt when the answer was, "Yes, I absolutely do want to spend this hour accomplishing nothing." It has helped me acknowledge that I wasn't enjoying that particular hour of my life and that I have to do something about it if I want it to change.
It's the most magical phrase ever.
Too bad I didn't think of it sooner.
