Things to Think About: Part One

We all get into these deep and dark places that are extremely scary from time to time. We’re sad and we think we should be more. We complain constantly about how hard and wrong our lives are. We think negatively even though we really all have so much more than we deserve. Before you argue about what has happened to you, let’s get real for a minute: You obviously can read this post, you have access to a computer or phone, you have eyes that allow you to see, you have electricity, you have the ability to think a coherent thought, etc. So really, even though we are all guilty of complaining from time to time, we have NOTHING to complain about.

I’ve somehow been able to pull myself from deep and dark places a few times and I thought letting people know some of the ways I have helped myself become a more positive person would help someone else. As a goal-oriented person, it really helped me to set goals for myself each day. Nope, these are not hard. They are extremely easy and also enriching. I can come up with 100 of these but here are 5 for you to start with:

 Goal 1: Find something extraordinary beautiful every day. Yep, there is something extraordinary beautiful in even the worst days. For example, the sky looks 100% different every morning and every evening. Trees and flowers change every day. Every person you will ever meet is unique and has something to offer the world. Everyone you ever meet will teach you something new (even if the only thing you learn is how to have more patience).

Goal 2: Find your happy place. I, myself, have several “happy places.” I especially suggest finding a place to watch a sunrise/sunset every day. It will help you out with Goal 1. Your happy place should be as quiet as possible and a place you feel comfortable going alone. You NEED a place to reflect, write, meditate, pray, or whatever it is that makes you be the most awesome version of yourself as possible!

Goal 3: Give 3 compliments a day. People hear enough of what they need to improve, what they do wrong, and society is already hard enough to live up to. Just tell someone 3 genuinely NICE things about themselves a day. It will change your life.

Goal 4: Wake up with a grateful heart. BE GRATEFUL YOU WERE ABLE TO WAKE UP. It’s easy as that. Instead of thinking of how horrible or busy your day is going to be, just tell yourself “I’m alive. That’s awesome enough.” You will win every day!  

Goal 5: Pay attention. Practice mindfulness while doing something today. You will NEVER complete Goals 1-4 if you don’t look up and pay attention. I’ve been amazed at how much more beauty I see in the world when I consciously pay attention to my surroundings.

I hope at least one of these can help you live a more positive and cheerful life! :-)