Friday, 24 February 2017

If you're not smiling, you're doing it wrong

My daughter has a little Kanye in her - this is not a criticism. I think there's a lot of good in the Kanye headspace (haters, take it elsewhere - I've written before on his enviable view of self perception and self-esteem). She just wrote a book which she illustrated, titled "You are one of us. Champions!". There were pages reminding you that you are strong, you are brave, to hang in there and you are adventurous. I love that kids believe in themselves, whether they have the skills to back it up or not. I think we need to back ourselves a little more in all that we do.

What I love more is that she made this book for her friend, who she was concerned for because the friend didn't believe she was any good at anything (we just had the swimming carnival so go figure!).

I'm envious of this trait in children, that they can throw themselves into whatever they do with 100% enthusiasm, and no little voice of judgement nagging them and tarnishing the experience. I don't know why we lose it as we age. It seems a flawed evolution if you ask me.

While cleaning out my handbag, I found this:


I have no idea when this came into my possession (possibly a year ago!) but I think it's my new motto in life.

So as you go about your day, just remember, if you're not smiling, you're doing it wrong.

Linking with #AwwMondays
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49 comments:

  1. NanaHood27 February 2017 at 15:51

    That is PRECIOUS! Love it and so honored you linked up and gave NanaHood a shout out on your blog. I may have my grandchildren make me a sign just like yours and keep it on my refrigerator. Awesome Sauce!

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  2. Carol @Comfort Spring Station28 February 2017 at 15:52

    I love the motto. Sounds like you're doing it right

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  3. Unknown1 March 2017 at 14:25

    What a sweet kid!

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  4. Kathy Marris1 March 2017 at 14:30

    You should definitely frame this. Your daughter is adorable. :) #TeamLovinLife

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  5. Debbish1 March 2017 at 14:40

    Oh I love this and how gorgeous is your daughter. You should be very proud... of yourself and her - you've obviously set a great example!

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  6. Mystery Case1 March 2017 at 14:42

    Love it! What a gorgeous thing for your daughter to do for her friend.

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  7. Di from Max The Unicorn1 March 2017 at 15:03

    Haha, love it! Yes my son is really confident, too. I wonder at what age we lose the belief in ourselves - it's such a shame!

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  8. Mandy1 March 2017 at 15:15

    This is absolutely adorable! And I love that your daughter wrote a book for her friend. Hopefully, she continues to be so optimistic and positive as gets older… :)

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  9. Min - Write of the Middle1 March 2017 at 20:22

    What a cutie! It'd feel nice knowing your daughter is a kind, positive and confident child. #TeamLovinLife

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  10. Janet Camilleri1 March 2017 at 23:22

    How gorgeous!

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  11. Lyndall @SeizeTheDayProject2 March 2017 at 01:29

    Love it! You're definitely doing it wrong if you're not smiling :) #TeamLovinLife

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  12. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit2 March 2017 at 10:41

    Kids are the best. Kids believe they can ... it's the damn adults that tell them they can't. I'm trying to find out what age the shift takes place. I noticed that around the age of 8 kids learn to compare themselves to others, and around 12 they start to judge.

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  13. Sydney Shop Girl2 March 2017 at 11:30

    The self belief children have is amazing. I see it in my own son at age 4. Reading Leanne's comment above the change in this mindset with interest.

    SSG xxx

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  14. Kerrie2 March 2017 at 11:33

    What an amazing daughter you have, so thoughtful towards her friend. I love her outlook on life and how she is sharing this with everyone!

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  15. Unknown3 March 2017 at 06:26

    I'm smiling because YOU are doing it right! Your daughter isn't that compassionate for no reason. Pat yourself on the back for raising such a little sweetheart! Best post I've read today!

    #StayClassyMama

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  16. Mrs Mummy Harris3 March 2017 at 11:03

    oh she is such a sweetheart! a true testament to your parenting! #stayclassymama

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  17. Beck3 March 2017 at 21:38

    This is so sweet. Your one lucky mamma to have such a thoughtful young lady x

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  18. Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid3 March 2017 at 22:54

    I think you're girl is on to something. Clearly, you are winning at parenting and raising your girl right! Those are words to live by indeed!

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  19. Unknown4 March 2017 at 13:19

    This is just gorgeous. If I were you, I'd frame it! What a lovely personality your little lady is developing! xx #fortheloveofblog

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  20. The Mum Reviews4 March 2017 at 14:18

    They do say that with smiling you can fake it til you make it. Force yourself to smile and it might actually help you feel happier. :-) #fortheloveofBLOG

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    Replies
    1. Lydia C. Lee4 March 2017 at 16:06

      I'd say if you're not smiling, you probably should be doing something else...

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  21. Unknown4 March 2017 at 18:21

    Love this! She is wise beyond her years.
    #KCACOLS

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  22. Anonymous5 March 2017 at 00:11

    Aw what a clever little girl. She is very true! #KCACOLS

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  23. Jenniferannifer5 March 2017 at 00:40

    I wish someone would make me one of these books!

    #KCACOLS

    (Jenny from Accidental Hipster Mum)

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  24. MintedRogue5 March 2017 at 12:46

    How gorgeous!

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  25. upasna5 March 2017 at 23:27

    Sums up everything in just a single line....#rabbithole

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  26. Kirsty6 March 2017 at 01:33

    You are doing so many things right Lydia - you're raising amazing children x

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  27. myrealfairy.com6 March 2017 at 07:59

    What great words!! This is a lovely motto to use for so many things:)
    Mainy
    #KCACOLS

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  28. In The Good Books Blog6 March 2017 at 11:17

    This is so sweet!! My sister recently told me about a note she found on her phone from my 6-yr-old niece telling her how much she loves her and what a great mum she is. It was so cute!

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  29. Shari from GoodFoodWeek6 March 2017 at 17:42

    Love this - it just might be my family's new motto! Thanks for linking up with the Ultimate Rabbit Hole xox

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  30. Mummytodex7 March 2017 at 06:49

    Amazing! I love how sweet and confident kids can be. Definitely a great motto to live by.

    #KCACOLS

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  31. Unknown7 March 2017 at 13:30

    This is so cute and is something that I need to apply more to my work life. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBlOG

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  32. Topsy Turvy Tribe7 March 2017 at 14:07

    Wonderful. Love the positivity! You should be rightly proud if your daughter and yourself for raising such a confident girl #KCACOLS

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  33. Unknown7 March 2017 at 15:07

    What a lovely motto...out of the mouths of babes! You are clearly doing a great job :-)

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  34. Unknown8 March 2017 at 02:11

    This is the most beautiful and amazing thing, what a lovely thing to make for a friend. Its a great motto to live by. I try and make sure I tell my five year old really positive things about him each night and about what he has achieved in the day as I think positivism is so important. Thank you for linking to #stayclassymama xx

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  35. Unknown8 March 2017 at 18:44

    Aww... this is a good quote. ❤ Thanks for picking my mood up! I just got out of Endometriosis surgery and this is reminding me to stay positive. xx

    #mummymondays

    Jacq
    jacqwritesworld.com

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  36. GorgeousGeorgesMama9 March 2017 at 11:33

    Oh my gosh! The cutest! And a fab, fab motto! I will so be thinking of this and promoting this

    #KCACOLS

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  37. Unknown10 March 2017 at 14:36

    Truth come from children and she is not wrong really!!! Clever child! and such a cute note really! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.

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  38. Unknown13 March 2017 at 11:30

    It seems your daughter has a very wise head of her shoulders! What an excellent moto #KCACOLS

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  39. Unknown16 March 2017 at 14:54

    This is incredible! I'm going to live by this! #kcacols

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  40. Unknown16 March 2017 at 21:42

    Out of the mouths of babes!!! I LOVE this! Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS

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  41. thisiswhereitisat24 October 2017 at 06:25

    How lovely, so true X #twinklytuesday

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  42. little orange dog24 October 2017 at 13:06

    That is brilliant! Kids are so matter of fact, love it #TwinklyTuesday x

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  43. Mummascribbles28 October 2017 at 13:53

    Oh, how wonderful is this. Love that you found it in your handbag! Bless her. Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

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  44. Anonymous9 November 2017 at 19:10

    One of my favourite things I have read this week! What a gem that is. Children are simply amazing. You have made my day xx #mg

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  45. Lisa Pomerantz10 November 2017 at 12:24

    The timeliness of reading this post is just brilliant! I will hold this quote with me! TY and your daughter. #mg xoxo

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  46. Natalie21 October 2020 at 13:11

    I love that motto! Thanks for sharing this precious story

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  47. Jupiter Hadley29 October 2020 at 14:30

    Aww this is so cute!

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  48. Sandee26 December 2022 at 14:15

    That's a great new motto. Love it.

    Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. ♥

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