A matter of perspective [Ways to be more positive in a negative world]
A lot can change in a day…
A lot can actually change in a moment’s time.
I’m still working on not being a “Debbie Downer” (sorry to all you Debs out there), but sometimes it is hard to think positive in such a negative world.
So let’s look at some ways we can be more positive:
- Instead of thinking of what we do not have, think of what we do have.
- Instead of saying, “That’s not fair,” say, “That’s not fair, but I can do something better.” (I apparently can’t eat salted in the shell sunflower seeds anymore, which isn’t fair because they are one of my favorite snacks, but I will learn to enjoy another snack which will undoubtedly be healthier for me.)
The following ones were gleaned from a Psychology Today article: - Practice being grateful. Some people even carry a “gratitude” journal with them where they write down what they are grateful for. I have chatted with many of you at Wealthy Affiliate about gratitude journals, too.
- Positive posture. Hmm… could good posture really trick us into feeling more positive? Give it a try! Make your mom (or whomever told you to sit up straight) proud!
- Smile. If nothing else, it will make everyone wonder what you are up to!
- Ditch the crabs! I love this one. I had never heard this analogy before, but apparently if you put one crab in a bucket it will crawl out and easily escape. However, if you put two crabs in the same bucket, as soon as one starts to escape, the other will pull it back down into the bucket. If you hang out with negative people, the same thing will happen—you will keep getting dragged back down into negativity! So get away from those crabs!
- Do something kind. We have all heard of paying forward. If you have watched the movie, Evan Almighty, you will have also heard of building an A.R.K (Acts of Random Kindness). You don’t have to be a wiz kid or a great scientist to figure out that just being nice to someone else can change the way you look at things.
We, ourselves might not feel the best or want to do something, but if we keep up that attitude, just think, WE will be the crabs that everyone is trying to avoid!
Hmm…. Now let’s decide that we are going to be the people that we always knew we could be and start spreading the joy!
Great tidings to you all!
Karin
Recent Comments
44
This is a wonderful reminder Karin!
My health (or lack of) is giving me fits lately. I needed this to pull me out of my pity party and focus on the abundance of blessings I have, and the friendships and support that WA provides.
Thank you!
KyleAnn
Gratitude is a great way to make you feel good. However little you have there is always something to be grateful for. First thing in the morning list, either to yourself on paper, all that you are grateful for. As you go to sleep list all the things you were grateful for during the day.
Guaranteed to bring even more to be grateful for.
I love the crabs story, made me laugh and the analogy is so true.
When you do good things for others without expectation of return it can make you feel really good. Gives you a warm glow.
Great post Karin.
Thanks, Linda. I had been writing a story about the people in Haiti. The person who told me the story had said that the people there would give their last meal to a stranger. They were so giving and grateful for everything and they were so poor, but they were willing to give everything. It made me feel like I needed to be more grateful for what I have and quit whining about what I do not have!
Have a great day! Great ideas for the gratitude journal, too! Thanks!
Karin
Those that have the least give the most.
My daughter went to Tobago when she was 19. Locals living in tin shacks would invite them in and offer food though they had very little. If they had something a neighbour wanted or needed they would give it gladly. One took a day off work to show them around all the most beautiful places that tourists rarely got to see. She was amazed and grateful she had the chance to know such wonderful people.
The most generous too are those with the least I have always found. It seems to go with the gratitude they have for life.
When I had breast cancer I was grateful it was me and not one of my daughters. I could cope with my own but not with theirs.
However, saying all that, we all have off days and it is allowed. Shout, scream, rail at fate and then pick yourself up and keep going. It's what we do.
Linda
Thank you for sharing this, Linda. Viewing how others show their gratitude shows me how downright selfish I tend to be. Having my granddaughter live with me has helped a lot because you tend to give to the little ones, but sometimes I am not the most grateful or giving person. The people I admire most are those who give freely just because... not because they have to or will get a reward, but just because,...
Have a great day!
Karin
We are all human and can be selfish at times, that is normal. Plus there are times you should be selfish, especially for things that affect your well being.
We all just do the best we can, when we can. You always strike me as a very caring and giving person. Just keep being you.
See more comments
Hi Karin,
Great post.
Interesting about the crabs!
I concur with the bit about posture. I've experimented myself and can definitely feel a difference in how I'm feeling when I alter my posture. It's all about becoming aware in the moment I think, and making a change if we want to feel differently than what we've just caught ourselves feeling.
The same goes with the smile. We tend to think that we only smile when we are happy, however if we're feeling out of sorts then if we make the decision to smile, a genuine smile, then we feel happier. I think there's some scientific evidence out there somewhere that supports this.
Wishing you a happy weekend with lots of smiles :-)