- Everything changes
We live in fast-paced and changing times. It is
easy to get lost in fear of the unknown or feelings of being overwhelmed because things move so fast and something is always shifting. The path into anxious thoughts is well-worn by most of us, so much so that we’re down that road before we realize we have a choice.
But we do. We can train our minds towards optimism the same way we train ourselves to ride a bike or learn a new language or develop a new eating regime – with intention and practice. I find that, the more I can maintain a positive and optimistic demeanor, the easier it is for me to find my way through every day feeling good about who I am and what I do regardless of the circumstances or conditions around in my life.
I believe we are – each of us – in any given moment either
part of the problem or part of the solution. Again – another choice. Whenever I find myself complaining or worrying or irritated by what someone else is doing or not
doing, I remind myself that these feelings only make the problems bigger.To be part of the solution, appreciation and kindness and generosity and paying it forward are the feelings and actions I aspire to apply.
It doesn’t take a big gesture to be kind or appreciative.
It just takes a willingness to stop defending our fears and limitations and
reach for a sense of our Greater Self and make choices from ‘there’. It
doesn’t cost a lot of money to focus optimistically. It just takes a
willingness to relax and make peace with what is and find what is good about
it.
Sometimes, people say, “Well, that’s easy for you to say,
Ahnalira. You have a good Life.” And I say, “I have a good Life
because I make being intentional about how I think and focus more important
than anything else”. Some of the ways I help myself exercise the power of
my ability to choose focus:
- I write affirmations
- I listen to affirming music that inspires me
- I listen to affirming tapes that inspire me
- I exercise
- I meditate
- I accept I am responsible for my feelings and my
experience and am, therefore, empowered to create the Life that makes me happy. - I make lists of who I appreciate and why
When I am successful in my practice to always choose optimism, my life is an expression of all these values, and I do my best to set a tone that encourages empowerment and success. I do that by deciding to be part of the solution.
Every morning when I wake up, I claim my intention to behave in a way that is part of
the solution. Every night I before I go to bed, I ask myself “How have I
been part of the solution today?”
Our lives are not determined by what happened to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but by the attitude we bring to life. A hopeful attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.
I invite you to join me in some or all of these practices. We can choose to be the solution, together.
Thank you. I love you.
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I have always admired your ability to weave a feeling into a situation. It is a wonderful gift you have. I must say that your counsel has been extremely valuable to me, and the gift of learning how to be more optimistic one of the best things I have learned how to be. Thank you for blessing me with this article to ponder today.
My pleasure, Francine:)
Let’s just say it’s part of my “pay it forward” process in my own continual practice to choose optimism; >)
I’m claiming this one. 🙂 It is sometimes hard to get past all the dark and dreary of the day. I want to be optimistic. I want to laugh and dance. So, I’m going to. Dark and Dreary are not welcome here any more.
And, by the way, I’m a “squiggly!”
Go for it, Pat! I’ll laugh and dance with you… because, as far as I can tell, that’s what squigglies do best; >)
I do like to focus on solutions, really appeals to my engineer mind 🙂
That must make you optimistic by ‘design’ 😛
It has been such a struggle lately, but I try my darndest to be an optimistic wife, mother, and friend. When your child is learning by example, it’s important to remind yourself how much they ‘see’ and ‘feel’ by being by your side all day. If I can show her how to see the sun through the clouds, I feel as though I have given her the best gift of the day! =)
{{{Mare}}}
When I lived in the Northwest, I used to tell myself the sun is still shining… just being buffered by clouds:P
I am the sky. Feelings are clouds.
Clouds pass. Feelings pass.
I am the sky.
I want to be a squiggle. I think I ended up being like a triangle inside a circle? Or, was it a circle inside a triangle. Well, I know it was not one of the normal picks, because somehow I was a little of both.
Maybe I need to retake the test. Is that allowed?
I know 100% that being happy is my ultimate goal, always. I know I am the sky.
A Squiggle aspiration… just keep finding a silly, happy thought and anything is possible, n’est-ce pas? ; >)
exercise and getting into nature do it for me everytime!
And in combination… Heaven on Earth:)
I really do love this article, and I come back and read it often. Depending on my feel of the day, I take different pieces of it with me. This paragraph hit me today.
Our lives are not determined by what happened to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but by the attitude we bring to life. A hopeful attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.
It is not about what happened, but about what happens. Our positive attitude is what decides everything, really. You called it our reaction to what happens, and our attitude is behind our reaction, right? A positive attitude, no matter the situation, can bring a positive reaction, which can affect the course of what ‘happens.’
There is a Catholic belief that one should always pray for whomever we believe to be our persecutors. If someone hurts you, pray for them, think only good thoughts in their direction. The same belief holds true for when you are going through times of anguish. Do not anguish at all, but give thanks for the good you DO have. There are always blessings to count.
Thank you, friend and teacher. I appreciate the light in my life that is you. I am still working on that squiggle issue. ; )
“It is not about what happened, but about what happens. ”
Exactly, Francine. By George, I think you got it; >)