Cultivating a Positive Approach to Life

Farewell to negativity

The idea hit us when we were out on a routine errands trip the other day. It was a sunny day and Ibs and I were enjoying the warmth that the sun provided as it beat down on the roof of the Excursion. It’s a pleasant, kind of novel feeling to be baking in the sun while you’re in the vehicle, and then freezing in the snow as soon as you step out. 

Anyway, we were talking about having a positive outlook on life, and what that looks like. It all started when we were sitting in a parking lot waiting for something, and while we waited we watched the people walking by. It occurred to us that none of them looked happy. In fact, pretty much every single one of them gave off the distinct impression that something was wrong. Like maybe the bank had just foreclosed on their house. Or their dog had died. Or they had found a gnarly bug in their oatmeal.

I don’t think any of those things had happened to any of those people. Most of them were probably having normal days and thinking normal things. It’s just that we are surrounded by negativity – in the news, in the culture, in the world – and it’s easy to get sucked into it.

Is it possible to have a positive outlook on life?

 

Totally! But you may need to work at it. Do a quick check-up on your conversations: what are the subjects most often discussed around the dinner table in your home? What do your casual comments look like throughout the day? What do your conversations with your friends sound like?

Do you constantly bemoan the lack of great guys (or girls)? Do you rant against President Obama’s latest actions? Do you frequently talk about WHY don’t people live life to the fullest?

It's time for a farewell to negativity.

I don’t mean that you won’t ever make another negative statement in your life. There are plenty of perfectly necessary and helpful – though negative – things that must be said. But let’s start being aware of every word we speak.

Here is a challenge for you: Make a negativity log.

You can do this either for yourself, or for your whole family (you might want to check with them first :). Take a piece of paper and a pen, and keep them handy… and make a little notation every time someone says something negative. Do this for a week, and see what happens! You may be surprised to see how much your casual conversations change.

By the way, we’re doing it too. After that discussion Ibs and I had, we decided we both want to do better – so as of this morning we have started the log. So far so good… only one notation at breakfast! Woohoo!

Wishing you the most positive of days, :)

Emily