The world has changed a lot in 6 months, probably permanently to some extent. And it feels like there is no end in sight. However, feelings lie and how we react to those feelings can determine how it affects us in the long term. We can see it as the world is ending, turned upside down and all kinds of other negative things, or we can focus on what is positive about this year and the good things it has brought. I know that’s easier said than done, so I thought I would share 4 things that help me focus on the positive.
- Always Be Grateful for the Good. Research has shown that gratitude is often associated with more happiness and less anxiety. To manifest positive emotions inside of you, always make it a habit to bring to mind the things you are grateful for everyday. Write it down. I keep a gratitude journal. I don’t write in it everyday, but when I do it helps me to put into perspective what really matters. It also helps me to remember all the things I have, instead of what I don’t.
- What may seem like a very negative situation, could turn out to be one of the biggest blessings of your life. It’s all in how you look at it. Perspective is everything. With all the bad the pandemic has brought, it has brought good things too. We, as a society in general, have had to slow down from the exhausting pace most of us were running. Many got more time at home to spend time with kids and family, and maybe even got to do some things you love that you never prioritized – that could include finding new hobbies, working out and getting fit, restoring an unhealthy marriage, spending more time in prayer or meditation, etc.
- We can train our mind to see the good. When we get a negative thought, we can take it captive, and ask ourselves if it is true. Is it really as bad as your mind makes you believe? Anxiety thrives on the unknown and thrives on fear. At a certain point, anxiety can lead us into some scary mental spaces. We start focusing on worst-case scenarios, and fear and negativity kick in and begin to paralyze. You have the power to change your thoughts, if you choose to. You have the power to speak life into your situation, your business, your relationships, your home and everything else in your life.
- Unplug from the negative. Negativity is all over social media and all over the news. It is overwhelming and can drive the sanest person insane. People are being mean and judgmental over masks and vaccines and all kinds of other things. It’s mentally exhausting and it’s easy to get sucked in. Before you know it you’ve been scrolling for 2 hours reading negative post after post after post. Negative news article after negative news article. Watching negative news video after negative news video. It’s a terrible cycle to get into and consumes your time, keeping you from being productive.
This too shall pass friends. There is nothing new under the sun. These hard times will be over one day and we will get to look back on them as a memory. Will your memories be negativity, worries, fears and doubts or will you remember how you found the good in the pandemic? The choice is yours.
Genean Roberts – Life By Design VA Services