The Inspiration Behind The Day With the Mistics

After I wrote my book, I wanted to make sure children understood there is no good or bad character in my book. Simply two different ways of thinking. 

One thing we do have control over in life is how we react to situations. I hoped that by reading my book, children could see there is a choice between being optimistic or pessimistic.

Of course, there are special circumstances, such as depression, where professional help may be needed to help someone develop and maintain a healthy mindset. Even then, learning to look on the sunny side of situations, rather than always focusing on the negative, can be part of that journey.

The reason that my story came about is that a parent, myself, saw a need to teach their child how to be more positive. I formed this story off the top of my head, hoping to reach my daughter and show her how to change her mindset.

My youngest daughter had always been an easygoing, positive kid. As time went by, I started to notice a shift. The way she responded to different situations began to change. She started to give up on things before she even gave them a chance and, sometimes, would not try at all. As a mom, this concerned me. I didn’t know how to handle this change with her. 

One night the opportunity presented itself.

“Mom, will you make up a bedtime story?” she asked. 

This was a normal routine for us. I would tuck her in for the night, and then she would beg me to tell her a story. Usually, I would add twists to regular bedtime stories, and sometimes I would make up ones of my own. 

This was it! My opportunity to teach her how to be more positive. Without even thinking it through, I gave birth to a story about two twins, Opta Mistic and Pessa Mistic. 

After that bedtime story, I would reference the twins many times. When she had a negative attitude, I would show her one hand out, palm up, and say, “Are you thinking like Opta, or are you thinking like Pessa?” Then I would hold up my other hand, palm up, to show a choice. She then would reply, “Oh, fine, I will be like Opta.” I continued this whenever I saw a need to show her that she has control of her mindset.

As she got older, I didn’t have to reference the twins as much, and eventually not at all. My daughter learned how to recognize and make her own choice between negative and positive thinking. 

This is where I get my claim “Tested in real life.”

We parents, are trying our best to teach our children healthy mindsets. I hope that my book can be a resource to teach children, in a fun way, to look on the Sunny side.