Share the Positives

Good day, everyone!

I read some quotes recently that spoke to me. "Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys." A close relative of it is, "Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate." They both relay the same basic message, and put together they encompass so much more than individually.

How often do you really see that kind of thing though, meaning the positives? Look at your Facebook newsfeed. Do you see more complaints or statements about something that is wrong rather than right or good? Look at the comments people leave on articles posted online. They can be some one of the most outwardly nasty, mean, and degrading things around. Listen to talk radio. Would those shows be 3 or more hours long if they were talking about what's good? Not likely. Take a look at any aspect of the political world. Good luck finding something positive in that arena. Or, simply ask someone, "How's it going?" More often than not, the response is said in a ho-hum manner. If something good is said, it's quickly followed by something not so good, as if on purpose to negate the good. I do it, I'm sure you do it, too. Why is that??  

Everyone sees things differently, of course, and I certainly don't have the answers, but for me personally, I feel like we live in a world where we can't share the positives in our lives. I think we're taught to not make other people feel bad, to not "show off" or give any sort of impression that our lives are "better" than someone else's. We are fearful that the act of saying something positive about our little corners of the world might just make other people feel that way, even if it's not intentional. I know I am certainly fearful of that, and constantly conscious of it. I think we all need to be a little easier on one another, and not be so quick to judge or shut someone down. I believe that this is also one of our greatest addictions. 

It also seems pertinent that it's a matter of our focus, and what our own outlook is. It's true that what you feed gets nourished and grows. And I think we can all agree that it's so much easier to just slide down a negative spiral, than it is to climb out on the limb where the fruit is.  It makes sense; It's easy to be negative and lose control, and it takes effort and energy to achieve a goal.

A friend of mine believes with her whole being that what you put out into the universe, will be heard, and in time come to you. If that is indeed true, and we're putting out negative after negative, complaint after complaint, what then comes back? Do any of us like being surrounded by all that garbage? Not at all, but we get used to it, don't we? One complaint fuels another, then another, and so on. I think this is maybe where the old adage, "When it rains, it pours" comes from. But, what if we were to put out there what makes us happy, what is good in our world today?  Misery loves company, so we have learned, but does that then mean happiness loves solitude? 

I was brought up in a family that had a pretty pessimistic view of the world, and I'll admit that I am a skeptic, and I have a tendency to see the cup as half empty sometimes. When I find myself in those situations, I turn the circumstances around in my head. And it has to be done consciously. Rather than saying to myself, "People are so mean" or "That is the worst idea ever," I ask myself questions, like, "Why are some people so mean?" or "How can they see that as a good idea?" In doing that, it takes me to a place of putting myself in someone else's shoes, of reasoning, and searching within myself to try to block that stuff out of my little corner of the world. It's inescapable, but I don't have to allow (or continue to allow) someone else's mood or bad day to ruin mine, or tarnish the shiny spots in my life.  And neither do you.  It's something that will always have to be in practice, but wouldn't it feel better to practice looking at the good than the bad?

I feel compelled to add though, that I do think there is a place for some negativity, and that it can be healthy.  We all experience and witness some really crappy stuff in life, and there IS a lot to complain about.  But when we bring it forth in a manner that shows defensiveness, righteousness, and close-minded thinking, we turn everyone and everything off.  On the flip side, if we bring those things forth with an open mind, with a desire to shift the focus to what is good, practice empathy, and don't look towards everyone as "upping" you, those same things can then be a connecting tool.  It's those things and those moments that create deeper relationships, opportunities for learning from one another, and opportunities for change and growth. 

I've said it before, and I'd like my blog to be a place where people share and connect.  To follow through on that a little more, I'm going to practice what I am preaching here, and share a positive of my little corner of the world with you all:

This might seem generic, but it is a beautiful day where I am. Keep in mind it is April 12, and we had about 5 inches of snow yesterday and into last night. It looks like, and really is, winter outside, and it's got almost everyone up in arms about it. But it is so pretty out! There are tiny flakes of snow that won't amount to anything slowly falling to the ground creating such a serene and peaceful setting. I went outside earlier and it's not very cold, just refreshing, and there are still birds chirping everywhere. Each day, nature always has something beautiful or amazing to show us, and I think we just need to take the time to really take it in. It can change your mood and perspective.   

The underlying meaning of this post relates to my previous one, in that we should feel free enough to embrace the good in our lives, and share our good news with the world. I'd love it if each of you who read this would comment and share a positive of yourself or your own life. If you don't want to, that's fine, but try doing it in another way in your own life. You just might inspire someone to look at an aspect of their own life in a different, more positive way! 

Thanks for reading, and make it a great day! Until next time...