Let’s take a minute to get pensive.
I’m someone who thoroughly believes that in life, no matter what the current situation is or how dire circumstances are, the way you look at the experience has a lot to do with the outcome. Though I know it is extremely difficult, hyper-focusing on the negative aspects of a situation doesn’t exactly help, does it? Of course, some things in life are naturally worse or feel worse to live through than others, and when faced with an unexpected challenge on ANY level, it’s so hard not to get absorbed by only the negative. However, being positive (or even just neutral) about the facts will not only make you feel better, but it will help power you through the worst, and the best, of times.
You may be thinking, “Siobhan, that’s cool and all but who are you to be telling me this? Are you a life coach now?!”
To which I respond, “Touché…”
You’re spot on, I’m not a life coach, and I have no authority on this particular subject. I’m simply another human, living her life, trying to make the best of the little time I have on the planet.
BUT, but, my friend, what I can share is this:
I’ve been there myself, and though it’s not easy, a positive frame of mind helped me live through one of the toughest stages of my life to date (learn more here, if you’re interested).
Now, that’s not to say I didn’t struggle (or that I don’t struggle now, even). That’s not to say that I don’t get days in which I think nothing but negative thoughts from sunrise to sunset. But, what it does say: it’s worth a shot, after all, what do you have to lose!?
In today’s society, with social interaction with other humans at our fingertips and the media reporting all of the world’s failings on a constant basis, it is far too easy to get caught up in a negative vortex. It’s far too simple to look at a rainbow and say, “ugh, but look at all the rain we got before we saw this pointless thing!!” So, what if, instead of that response, which, might I add, seems so natural for most of us to default to, we choose to ignore the negative. Just for a second. Give your mind a rest of your own judgement for a split second; take a look at the rainbow with a pure mind and heart. What do you see? I see a miraculous and uber cool formation of colour in the sky. That’s not something you see everyday! Sure, you had to live through some rain to see it, but guess what? That’s over now. Rainbows are rare, so just enjoy it. Block out the gloomy weather of the past couple of days. Ignore the fact that you’ve had to trek up and down your stairs to change into a raincoat and wellington boots, again. Disregard the extra 15 minutes you sat in traffic because people were being extra cautious in their driving. Savour the moment. Enjoy the present. Relish in & reflect on what you see in front of you.
This is how I (try) to live my life. This is why I smile a lot, lot more than I frown. I go out of my way to think on the positive side of things. To see the glass half full, rather than half empty. Sure, from time to time, I get called a hippy (though, is that really that big of an “insult”? They had great style in the 60’s & 70’s, just sayin’) and I get called Pollyanna (which again, is that meant to be an insult? ‘Cause it’s really not). However, I truly believe that it’s worth it. When I die, I’d rather be known as “the girl whom always seemed jolly” than anything else. Furthermore, without something to laugh, smile, giggle, beam, grin, or even guffaw at, is there even any point to it at all?
In a world bustling with negativity and all of his friends, like fear, terror and stress, be the peony in a field of roses. Think differently. Train your brain to see the good, even if it comes along with the recognition of the bad. I’ve heard that variety is the spice of life, but I believe that balance is. And if you’re only thinking negative 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, you’re not necessarily living the life that you could be; a rich, full, happy life. And isn’t that what we’re all striving for? ♥
