Lately, we’ve read and heard many discomforting news — death and destruction after Haiti’s unimaginable earthquake, endless war in the Middle East, political intrigue at home and around the globe, assault and robbery in our neighborhood, and many more.
After being bombarded with negativism and horrific stories, how can we stay positive?
Set a Positivity Rule
Let positivity reign! To stay positive amid chaos and confusion, it’s important to create a rule of positivism in your household and within you. It’s a rule that should be pure with no shade of vagueness; a rule you need to follow to the letter. Allow positivity to thrive in your area of influence.
When you establish this rule, you become in control simply because now you don’t let your situation and your environment decide your mood or your response. Regardless of the circumstances, you let positivity take over. As you let it grow, you authorize negativism to wither.
Establish goals that can help yourself and others. Create a plan that serves as a step forward in achieving your dreams and your aspirations for others. Be positive in anything you do — at home, at work, and in school. Embrace uplifting thoughts and dwell on encouraging words. Let your actions be an inspiration to others.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
To remain positive, you should focus on your strengths and talents. Make use of them and hone them as frequent as possible. Use every opportunity to discover new skill. For instance, you may be unaware that you have a high-quality voice. While driving, sing along with the radio beat. Soon, you’ll discover that you’re harboring a golden voice ready to entertain your spouse and children.
Be grateful for the blessings and opportunities that come your way. As well, be thankful for all the challenges, failures, and losses you face today. They are delivered in your doorstep to make you stronger. Crisis becomes a classroom where you learn life lessons. Crisis creates wisdom. And wisdom opens the doors to better things.
Share your visible and invisible wealth. When I say visible wealth, I’m referring to material wealth such as food, money, and clothing you can share to the needy. You don’t have to be rich to provide some comfort to others. But most importantly, share your invisible wealth — your love, your prayers, your contentment. Anyone who receives them should feel unexpected and unexplained joy.
Correct your mistakes and weaknesses. As you grow older and meet many challenges, you expose your vulnerabilities and shortcomings to others. Know your weaknesses and get the necessary tools to weaken them so you’ll end stronger. Also, identify your mistakes and right your wrongs. If necessary, ask for help so someone more objective can guide you in correcting those mistakes.
Stay Away from Negativism
Sorry I’ve made a mistake when I say you stay away from negative people. Actually, you have to RUN. You have no choice if you want to feel positive and optimistic the rest of your life. Negative people can come in the form of friends, coworkers, and family members. Once you identify who they are, establish a comfortable distance between you and them. Any form of coziness with them may mean distress if not disaster.
We face negative situations. For instance, accidents and medical emergencies, natural calamities, unnecessary conflicts and arguments, breakups and losses have created negative emotional and physical outcomes. Examine the circumstance and learn from it. Ask yourself: What safety measures could have prevented it? What you could have done differently?
Create positivity out of a negative environment. Unfortunately some workplaces, churches, and households may be sources of negativity. How does the place make you feel? Happy or sad? Cheerful or angry? Peaceful or anxious? Joyful or guilt-prone? Whenever you feel sad, angry, anxious, or scared in a place, you should look for ways to gain positivity out of your current environ. Look for bright stars and golden threads in the middle of darkness.
You have only one life to live and to share. Choose the path that brings joy, peace, contentment, and hope. Be positive!