Well, at least…

Last week, I did a quick Periscope with my thoughts on perspective and said I’d write this blog because I had SO much to say about the topic.

Tonight I talked to my son..

and he said that all his father does is try to give him advice. I forgave his father for forcing himself on and impregnating me and was just thankful he, after 16 years, was a relatively positive presence in my son’s life. That’s a long story that I’ll talk more about in my next book…

But I told my son.

“Well, at least he’s talking to you and giving you advice. There are lots of young people who never talk to their fathers or whose fathers don’t even try to help them.”

Even though my son isn’t doing what I necessarily want him to do right now, I remind myself that…at least he’s alive. At least he’s working. At least he’s talking to me. At least he’s not in jail. At least he’s graduated. At least he’s healthy and will communicate, and I know he’ll be okay. He loves me (and says it), and I love him. He is destined for great things.
Since I’ve been self-employed, my income has not been as comfortable as when I was in Corporate America. Although it is coming, it has been a challenging road.

I tell myself..

“At least I have my home. A nice home At least I have the resources to pay my bills. At least I have my health and even health insurance.”

Like everyone else, my life is not perfect. I have family challenges, but…at least I have a family. I even still have both of my beautiful grandmothers.
I’ve had body image issues most of my life, but at least I have a healthy body…even with stretch marks, cellulite, and many other flaws. At least it works and just fine. My face has even been really clear lately!

A couple of months ago..

I had to buy new tires for my truck. Remember, my funds are lower right now, but at least I could buy the tires I needed. At least I had a vehicle to buy tires for.  At least I could get everywhere I needed to whenever I need to get there.

I’m single now and have been since my divorce in 2009.

Sure, I would like to be in a relationship, but at least I’m content either way. At least I have work that I thoroughly enjoy and that keeps me busy. At least I have awesome friends that I enjoy spending time with. And I even have a granddaughter I love giving my time.

My examples could go on and on, but the point is this is how I shape my perspective on EVERYTHING. This is how I stay positive.

Whenever something negative is presented in my life, I immediately come up with a, “Well, at least…”.

Things could always be worse, and our attitudes could always be better.
Perspective. Well, at least...

 

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I’m Summer Owens, and my passion is helping youth and young adults realize success no matter what obstacles they face. As an international resilience and leadership keynote speaker, author, S.O. What! Success Coach, and creator of the S.O. What! Literacy, Life Skills, and Character Education curriculum, I empower people to say, “So what!” to even their greatest challenges.  provide a framework to help people see past their challenges and focus on solutions using the S.O. What! Success System (Overcome Obstacles + Eliminate Excuses + Calculate Choices = S.O. What! Success). Through keynotes, workshops, books, online courses, and workbooks, I use life’s challenges and my own story of resilience as a rape survivor and teen mom success story to help others confidently pursue their dreams.

Looking for an inspiring college motivational speaker? A high school literacy curriculum? A middle school life skills workbook? A great example for teen mothers? A women’s empowerment or single mother’s conference speaker?  I’m your girl and will help any audience say, “S.O. What!”.

 

www.SummerOwens.com

  1. Cynthia Heard
    Cynthia Heard says:

    May God continue to bless you richly, Summer. I’m grateful for your sacrifices to commit to mentoring girls in positions of uncertainty like you were all those years ago. You may still have those uncertainties and unbelief at times, but you’ve decided to move on without excuses. I continue to applaud you for your efforts.
    Warm regards, Cynthia

    • Summer Owens
      Summer Owens says:

      Cynthia, I appreciate you recognizing my sacrifices. It definitely has not been easy, but I am doing my best to encourage people to overcome their challenges! Thank you for the continued support!