These days there is no shortage of negativity. Each social interaction amongst the general public can seem drenched in a slimy film of frowns and snarls. That, along with the current separation that's being encouraged amongst all individuals, has the frowny-faced vibes seemingly on the rise.
But do we dare look at this wretched and rotting world through a different pair of spectacles? If so, one might come to find that this existence isn't the stink pit that so many have assumed it was.
See, this is where things can get thick. By making that statement I am suggesting that one can control their feelings simply by the way that they are looking at something... and, to be honest, I believe this to be true. Properly functioning human emotions are meant to respond to the context of the situations at hand. Now whether or not all of our emotions are functioning properly is a totally different subject. What I am saying is that, with practice, our emotions can be trained.
Dogs wear their emotions on their sleeves. My dog has been trained that, if he is well behaved, he will receive a treat after each walk that I take him on. On the last stretch of our daily journeys, you can see his eyes begin to glow with anticipation as we approach the apartment. He knows that his positive attitude has earned him a reward!
Elementary as it may seem, I see rewarding ourselves and those around us as a great way of instituting positivity into the world. People like feeling appreciated and personally, I've found that being the one doing the rewarding can create a whole new level of positivity to function on. Being a blessing can be even more of a blessing!
A perfect example of this in my life can be seen in my workplace. As of recent, I was offered a position doing what I love. The environment is amazing. Both of my bosses and all of my teammates consistently go out of their way to lift up and encourage one another. It's built into the DNA of the business and it shows, both in the weekly meetings and in the upbeat culture around the office. There is a constant tone of purposeful celebration. It's incredible and I love being a part of it.
All that being said, someone else might say, "Sam, positivity is an expectation in the workplace. What about when the work mask comes off. You've melted into the couch at home and the kids are screaming, the dog is barking, and the closest thing to positive that you can muster up is "Shut up and give me five minutes!"".
I would say that, in your personal life, the same rules apply. The main thing is that you have to be very intentional when it comes to you being the one giving you the rewards. Don't forget about yourself because you're no good to anyone if you're no good to yourself.
One of the best ways that this translates clearly to both the personal and professional sides of life is through goals. Setting goals, achieving those goals, and then rewarding yourself for achieving those goals. This is a great way to bring positivity into every aspect of what you do.
But what about when you don't achieve those goals? What happens when you miss the mark time and time again? When life gets flipped upside down and it seems like there is nothing to celebrate? Do you fake it 'til ya make it? And, if you don't feel it, does that mean that you not acting positive is wrong because it's getting in the way of others feeling it?
That's a lot to chew on. But to give you my straight forward and short answer... you need to get over it. Now, that may seem a little harsh but, really, if you can't find something in life to be positive about, your looking for the other stuff. There is always something to be encouraged by. Something to help get you through the day. And if there isn't, put something there. Set a goal that is achievable and, when you achieve it, celebrate! Positivity is everywhere!
Now, is there such a thing as too much positivity? My answer to this question is both yes and no. I'm sure that most of you have heard the phrase, "Too much of anything is a bad thing." And when it comes to positivity, that can be the case.
Unfortunately, when brought to the extreme, positivity can be a tool used for ignorance. Shutting down our feelings or the feelings of those around us and covering them up with false smiles and forced pleasantries is a joke. One that often ends in tears rather than laughter.
So, when is a good time for feeling bad? Well, if you go by your feelings, never. But at the end of the day, we all feel bad sometimes. I would say that the best way to deal with our bad feelings and struggles in life is to surround ourselves with people that we can trust and that are willing to support us. Ultimately, I would say that this is a good place to be regardless of what you're feeling.
For me, the biggest thing was deciding why I was going to be positive. For a long time, I didn't care about anything. The only thing that kept me alive was fear. When you don't care about anything, things like rewards and a good attitude seem mundane and meaningless.
Now, joy is what keeps me alive. And now, I do care. I care about a lot of things. And the reason that I've decided to do my best to maintain not only a positive, but an overly positive attitude, beside the fact that it keeps everyone around on their toes, is because God told me to... and that's enough for me.
So, where does my heart lie on the subject? I believe that the key to implementing positivity into your life in a healthy way is focus. It's not about ignoring the bad things in life. Bad times will come, and ignoring them will only make them worse. But by focusing on the good and doing our best to learn from the bad, we can create an environment and a culture that others will be drawn to.
And that's all I've got for you today. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. If you'd like to feed me an idea or just connect for coffee, jump over to thesamnorwood.com/feedit and fill out the Feed It form.
I am Sam and, until next time…
I love you, goodbye.
