Expect The Best To Happen
I just finished Creative Mind: Tapping the Power Within. Am on a creativity reading bender to say the least. Am reading everything even tangentially related to that topic.
Of course, our negative media doesn’t help. It’s driven by horror stories, bad news, battles, etc. If we stop watching it, they’ll change it. Our whole nation is now addicted to local, national and world horrors and it doesn’t help anyone anywhere. And that’s a choice, we’ve made as a nation and a world. I do want to know where folks are suffering, however, it can be presented in a way that riles you up to do something, not feel helpless.
How can you change your worldview from negative to positive? Start small, perhaps by keeping a worldview journal. Write down your thoughts and see if they are negative or not. If they are, try and change one negative thought a day and go from there. It does take time because it’s really ingrained in most of us. So give yourself a pat on the back for even the smallest change.
If you’ve done this, what has helped you ramp to a brighter view of the world? Do you see yourself addicted to negative-based drama?
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I chose many years ago to not get bogged down in the daily horror of news and events over which I have no control. I don’t watch the news although I check headlines in the papers so I am more than aware of what’s going on. I have chosen instead to find ways to do a little good each day, whether it be a local Rotary service project like giving free shoes to needy school children or an international project that brings clean water or books to those in need.
I try to give my time and my money to these causes and it is something that is measurable and has an immediate effect. Is it making the world a better place? Maybe just a little bit at a time, but, it is something that I can do.
Hi Lou,
Sometimes I think the media seeks out everything going wrong when in reality there is more going right and that’s what we should be rallying around.
After I read that chapter I realized – focusing on what’s going right will bring more right.
I love that shoe project and told my local biz friends about you and it. I’d love to do something concrete like that. Stay tuned. Feet hold up our entire bodies!
You’re doing good and hopefully it can spread all over.
Thanks for stopping in! G.
Timely topic, G. Just yesterday I attended a seminar where the presenter made a good case for how negative thought patterns beget more negative thought patterns, until we’re caught in an endless downward spiral and we absolutely believe that the negative world view is absolutely our truth. It’s hard to fight that, but it seems the initial way in is to allow ourselves to be kinder and gentler with ourselves. I experienced a lot of worry and anxiety growing up, and for sure self-compassion and giving myself space to feel what I’m feeling has been a huge part of my journey toward a more positive world view. No surprise, the same is true for my clients. And the deeper the negativity, the longer the journey. Patience is essential. I’ve gotten a lot better at that!
Thanks for writing about this important subject!
Hi Patty,
Yes, you’re so right that people believe this negative world view is THE worldview. Why do we do this to each succeeding generation? I love what you say about self-compassion – that’s at the root of so much angst. If we can’t show it to ourselves, how can we show it to others?
Appreciate your positive comment! G.
In keeping with what you say here, it’s interesting, but I no longer find myself even considering claiming that someone else is the cause of a problem in my life. It seems that I now am really taking a lot more responsibility for what I experience. I’m very grateful for this gradual change that seems to have taken place.
Hi Chris,
That’s a really great point about not blaming others for your situation. When we do that, we disempower ourselves. I swear we get taught to blame others so we will not feel powerful and in charge of our own lives. Thanks for stopping in! G.
I’m not addicted to negative drama though close family members, my mother and my son, are. Makes me want to run away from them.
Most of my life I’ve been positive so a recent spell of negativity wrought havoc with my life. Nothing good comes from being negative, you don’t like yourself, and people don’t like you. It’s far better to look at the reality of a situation and assess how to turn negatives into opportunities. In my experience, most negatives – except for death or poor health – have an upside. It may sound impossible when your life’s on the skids that you can still get up again, but basically, that’s the only way to go. So don’t waste time or your life being negative. The sun may not come out tomorrow, but it sure as hell will come out again and you’ll be there to catch its rays.
Hi Penelope,
What a lovely quote your last line makes! Good note card material. I think your life theme is how to turn negatives into positives. That’s the theme of your book. Appreciate your sunny comment! G.
Hi, Giulietta!
I haven’t stopped by in awhile – just caught up on several months of your posts! Always inspiring…
This post especially resonated with me, because I, too, for many years of my life was caught up in what was wrong instead of what was right. And, the frustration that I couldn’t fix many of the “wrongs” in my life and in the world.
Like Lou, I don’t watch the news or read the paper, which helps dispel my feelings of helplessness in the wider world. However, I have found, like you, that helping in my local community or within my circle of friends/family/clients helps facilitate a more positive outlook and a feeling of purpose. A client recently told me that she does watch the news even though it upsets her. She says that her contribution to a situation that feels out of her control is to pray and send positive energy to the folks who are suffering. I thought that was a cool perspective that had never occurred to me…
For me, the most valuable thing I’ve done to cultivate a more positive outlook and brighter view has been to keep a gratitude journal. The longer I have kept the journal, the more I realize that all is well and I have nothing to complain about. Just think, when you come up with five things each day that you’re grateful for over the course of one year, you’ve discovered 1,825 things that are RIGHT in your life. Who couldn’t have a more positive worldview after that.
Thanks for your words,
Lisa 🙂
Hi Lisa,
Wonderful to see you back here! Your client does have an interesting perspective. Sending positive energy to others seems like a nice gift. Yes, gratitude journals are terrific. We tend to spend our lives worrying about things that never happen, neglecting the good ones that actually fill most of our days.
I’m grateful you could leave a comment. Thanks, G.