I think we all know there is power in symbols. At Jon Acuff’s “Remarkable You” conference, he shared the power of pairing a great soundtrack with a symbol we can see and reflect upon regularly.
For example, you might notice that every logo at LearnDoBecome is going up and to the right, like stair steps.
Our LearnDoBecome logo is 3 steps, red, green, and blue, representing learning (being well-read, for example), doing (when you’re green, you’re growing!), and blue (when you “become,” you are “true blue”). A thought or “soundtrack” to go with this could be, “I am a Becomer.”
Our Steps to Everyday Productivity logo is 4 steps up and to the right, with S-T-E-P spelled out on each one, symbolizing peace of mind as we’re STEPping! A soundtrack for this one could be, “Building systems creates peace so I can do what matters most.”
And our ARISE logo includes 3 mountains in the LearnDoBecome colors reminding us that as we summit each mountain in our life, we experience beautiful views and get stronger in the process. When you see this logo, you can think, “I am architecting my life so I will wake up excited and go to bed content.”
As another example, I have 12 little hand-drawn symbols on the back of my bedroom door, each representing an experience where God has shown up for me in a big way. Your Higher Power may be different than mine, but I think we’ve each had times in our lives where we absolutely knew that there was an added measure of power involved.
One of my symbols is a drawing of a piece of a birthday cake. It reminds me of the time in 2013 when I went to visit my mom in a rehabilitation center after she broke her hip. She was a few years into her Alzheimer’s, and this was four years before she passed away.
It was my birthday, and Eric stayed with our children so I could spend several hours with my mom, dad, and sister. There were two parts of that day that were uniquely powerful.
First, after we had our lunch, the staff served birthday cake to all of the residents and their visitors. Surprised, I asked why they had cake, and one of the attendants responded that each month, they pick one day to celebrate all the birthdays for those staying in the facility. I asked if it was always on the 19th, and she said, “No, we just pick a different day each month.” I felt so much love as I realized this “coincidence” created a chance for me to celebrate my birthday with my mom in such a special way.
The second miraculous event was that, for about 10 minutes, when I had some alone time with my mom, she was actually there for me for the first time in years. When I noticed she was able to have a conversation, I asked her advice on some things that had been weighing on my heart, and she spoke to me with clarity, wisdom, and insight. It was like she knew everything. She even referenced little details that no one else knew and that I had never told her. It was honestly one of the best birthdays of my entire life.
Below is a photo of the actual piece of cake we were served–and then a photo of the drawing I put on my door. When I see the picture of the cake, it’s a symbol to me that we are not alone, and I remind myself, “Miracles happen for me and my loved ones.”
That’s such a powerful reminder because when I read the news or listen to podcasts about all the terrible things going on in the world, it’s easy to feel powerless and afraid. There are definitely some incredibly concerning things going on. But when I remember that miracles happen, and when I connect back to my faith, my brain shifts from “stress” to creativity.
You have important things to do. Your impact and influence means a lot. You have talents and gifts for a reason.
And I’m curious. Do you currently have some symbols that support your positive thinking? I’d love to hear about them in the Comments!
Sending lots of love as we navigate life together.
xoxo
April
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I love your story behind the birthday cake symbol. So powerful, it had me in tears. Such an important experience for you- to have your mother there and present for you, very unexpectedly when you really needed her.
It resonated with me personally. Not only as a great example of using a symbol as a mindset cue. Your story is a timely and hits home for me, now.
Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Thank you so much, Sandy! I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day weekend, as well. Sending lots of love!!
Love this so much for sharing April!
I follow your lead and keep symbols in my day planner to represent the things I want to remind myself to do
Like my wake up routine is a sun rising and that means journal meditation readings
Each symbol reminds me to look at all areas of my life which I got from you and your symbols on next actions list
However hadn’t thought of reminding myself with symbols of blessings or miracles
Will try that this weekend
Gracias and happy mom day !
You are doing so great, Amanda!! Sending lots of love! Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️❤️❤️ Honestly, I didn’t know that the “miracle symbols” would have such an impact on me, but whenever I am feeling scared or down, I look at them, and I can’t deny the MANY times I have felt added support. It reminds me to have faith. 😘 Excited to hear how it goes for you!
I look for signs of loved ones passed like a rose and bee for my grandmas. But I would love to use signs/symbols in this way too. I enjoyed acuffs book soundtracks it really changed my life and helped me see the negative soundtracks I was running.
What a beautiful way to remember your loved ones! ❤️ I’m glad you have benefited from the Soundtracks book, as well!
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We’re checking on this!
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I love this! I have recently begun calling “coincidences” Godwinks. It had been really neat and a positive way to remind myself that good things do happen and God/angels do show ip. I have a very recent one and I am going to make reminder like you did. I am returning from a women’s trip to TN that was a huge stretch for me, yet it went beyond my expectations and I have new friends now. I didn’t know anyone when i first got there. We saw a double rainbow the first night over the mountains and it was the entire bow from one end to the other touching the ground. My Godwink.
That touches my heart!! I love that term for them. Way to go pushing the edges of your comfort zone to go on a women’s trip! That sounds amazing. You’re a champ, Jennifer!!