“When you talk about "what is" or "what was," even if you're just explaining to a friendly ear, you project more of the same into the future. If you ask more than you give thanks, you'll believe less in your own power. And if you insist that it's hard and that you're lonely, you'll find that it is, and you are.
Yet, always you can choose to focus on what's good.”
This quote, received from a good friend, was an excellent reminder for me. I’ve been unhappy in one particular area of my life for quite some time now, and recently I have had to give myself constant reminders to be grateful in spite of what I view as a less than ideal situation. What I have had to realize is that I have to be happy and remain at peace no matter what. And when I speak about this area/thing/situation, I have to speak of it with love. All my complaining, crying, whining, rationalizing, explaining is only keeping me shrouded in the cloud of negative emotions that I have built up in association with this thing. Even if I’m just telling someone (for the 50th time) about something that happened to validate my desire for change, I am still focusing more on the negative and hurting myself—because I’m telling the universe and all the forces of life out there working for me that complaining is what’s important to me.
Until all the pieces of the puzzle are in place for me to make a wise move, I have got to change my perception. I will not complain. I will not explain. I will not get upset. Instead, I will choose to view things with a perspective of gratitude and expectancy—knowing that the change I desire is right around the corner. I will find ways to make the most of my current situation. I will view any hardship associated with this thing as an opportunity to reveal my character--not to stoop to the level of someone else’s. And I will be so productive and goal-oriented that I won’t have time to focus on anything else.
I am very much a list kinda gal, so I have made a list of 10 positive things about this situation that I can refer to when I start to feel the urge to complain. Another list is my “must do” list, that will help to keep me on task and focused on taking baby steps towards the change I desire to create. I have also agreed to join my cyber-pal Pure Gold Lady in what she calls a “fast from negativity”. If I can be happy, right now, in this very situation, no matter what things occur to try and shake me up, then I’ll know I’m ready for the next great thing that life has in store for me. It is my intent to be ever grateful, and focused on the positive.
6 comments:
"I will find ways to make the most of my current situation. I will view any hardship associated with this thing as an opportunity to reveal my character--not to stoop to the level of someone else’s."
YES! I love how I am always so inspired by your blog. Right when I needed a dose of inspiration I read my latest email subscription and saw this :-) Awesome!
If you don't mind, I'm going to borrow your last line "It is my intent to be ever grateful, and focused on the positive."
We do not mind at all! We're all in this together--as we help others to grow, we are also helping ourselves to grow. Have a grateful, positive rest of the week! :-)
I love this post. Having an attitude of gratitude is something I'm always striving for.
I keep a gratitude journal in which I write at least 5 things I'm grateful for every night. And I've decided that for the month of April I'm going on a complaining fast.
Anyhoo, thanks for this post, and good luck on your fast from negativity. : )
Thank you Jamie! I love the idea of your gratitude journal. That way all the wonderful things in your life are pointed out daily so that it is more difficult to forget them or overlook them. I may need to institute this myself. Thank you!
I love Jamie's idea, too! Not bad. I keep a journal daily so I will start tonight to write 5 things I am grateful for.
Good luck on your fast, Jamie!
Thanks, ladies!
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