Trick or Treat

It’s that time of the year when many people celebrate Halloween and young children have the rare opportunity to get loads of sweets treats from anyone.

I have never understood the fascination with Halloween as I can’t wrap my head round how something that typically symbolises ‘darkness and fear’ for children is celebrated.

We came up with a different way to celebrate Halloween when our children were growing up. We turned it to a family night out. We spent the evening in a nice restaurant and would get home just in time to go to bed.

As it’s that time of the year again, I am reminded of the phrase ‘Trick or Treat’ and how it can apply to us as adults. So my question this week is, ‘What tricks are playing on your mind and how are you treating yourself?’

Some tricks your mind can play on you include:

Trick about your self-worth

Is your mind making you doubt your worth or value? If so, you need to recognise it for what it is – a trick. The truth is that you are invaluable and worth more than you can ever imagine.

The intricacies that form your make-up point to this. The fact that there is only one of you confirms this. The only way to deal with a ‘Trick’ is to know the ‘Truth’, so it’s time to be reminded of the truth that you are wonderfully and fearfully made.

Trick that things are not going to get better

Sometimes your mind plays a trick and tells you things are never going to get better but that’s not true. Things always get better if you don’t give up.

No matter how desperate the situation is, that light at the end of the tunnel eventually comes and gets brighter with each passing day.

Trick that you are not enough

‘…Not smart enough, not beautiful enough, not skinny enough or not talented enough’. There will always be things that others are better at than you but it doesn’t mean you are not enough.

If you look closely, you are better than others in some other areas. So when your mind plays the ‘Not good enough’ trick, remind yourself of the things you are great at and remember you’re not in a competition against anyone. Run your own race the best that you can.

Some treats just for you

Treat yourself with kindness and love because you are worth it.

Learn to be kind to and see yourself through the eyes of love. Your Creator loves you and so should you.

Treat yourself with patience and respect

You won’t always get things spot on but it’s no reason to disrespect or be impatient with yourself. Cut yourself some slack even as you do with others. Don’t go through life apologetically. Just learn to do better as you know better.

Treat yourself with some care and attention

It may not always feel like a treat, but sometimes going for that walk or making that session in the gym is just what you need.

You only have one body and it needs to last your entire lifetime. So treat your body with the care and attention it needs. This is definitely one piece of advise I need to take immediately.

Treat every part of you

Remember you are spirit, soul and body and every part of you needs to be fed and nurtured. Don’t focus on one to the detriment of the other. Build good relationships with family, friends and old school mates. Speak to a therapist or Counsellor if necessary. Transformation comes through a renewal of your mind.

Alway remember that you are never alone even when it appears that way. You are not lost in a crowd – you are known and loved.

However you feel about Halloween, remember that ‘Tricks and treats’ apply to you every day of the year – not just one day a year. Form a habit of ‘Treating’ yourself and ‘Tricking’ your mind to align with God’s truth, views and thoughts about you.

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