Positivity: Tools for Positivity
Finding positivity is not hard, it just requires action. This is not as daunting as it may first appear.
We are bombarded daily with negativity. Some is intentional, aimed at causing us fear and distress in an effort to control us. More often, though, it’s unintentional, like a friend trying to share with us a situation that is in need of attention, but is infuriating.
We cannot avoid, ignore, or neglect these things. We can, however, choose not to let them dominate our thoughts and feelings and actions, so that we can take a positive approach of reconstruction rather than a negative one of destruction. We have the power to choose how we want to feel, and think, and act.
There are some tools that provide actions for generating positivity. Some of these will work for you, some might not. A combination of them may be required. Further, there are other tools besides these for this purpose, but these are a few that I employ successfully. They are simple, and do not require huge amounts of time and effort. But they are actions.
Breathe. That simple, take the time to breathe. Stop what you are doing, take a good, thorough, deep breath. Then let it out. Do it again. Intentional breathing is a great way to revitalize yourself, to draw in fresh air and fresh energy, and to pause and change perspective.
Gratitude. I have an app on my phone where I write out five to six things for which I am grateful daily. Gratitude is an amazing device for drawing positivity. But writing out what I am grateful for makes me feel that gratitude, and that simple action can help improve my outlook and my mood.
Worry stones/fidget rings/gems. I carry a couple different stones in my pockets. I think currently I have a Carnelian and a Moonstone. Beyond the energetic characteristics some people will tell you these hold, I often will touch them, or roll them around in my hand to distract myself when I am getting annoyed or down. Further, they can be great for gratitude. Every time I take one of these from my pocket, I think of things I am grateful for. It’s a distracting and refocusing action that can help build positivity.
Meditation. Some people believe this is all about clearing your mind and seeking the void. Sometimes you succeed in that in the process, but more importantly meditation is about directly connecting yourself to source energy. This does not require sitting in the lotus position for hours, just five minutes in a chair or on your back or sitting cross-legged either with your eyes closed or focused on a single point can really shift you towards better, more positive thoughts.
Laughter. Find something that makes you laugh. Look for a YouTube video, seek out a joke or a pun. Make the effort to put a smile on your face, so that you can generate positivity and feel better about the world.
This is imperfect, and there are far more tools than these for this purpose. Also, and this is important, I am not suggesting that we can live exclusively positive lives. Shit happens. We all experience times and things that bring us down. However, it is entirely our choice whether or not to stay in that negative place. That is where finding positivity can majorly improve the quality of our lives.
Finding positivity is not hard, it just requires action. Knowing that there are many tools that take only a little time and action to help generate positivity, we give ourselves more choices. When we see that our feelings can be more under our own control, and we choose to work on that, we empower ourselves. When we feel empowered, we often spread that feeling to others around us, and as such can build more positive feelings. We can use the positive feelings this generates to dissolve negative feelings. When we take away negative feelings, we open up space to let in positive feelings, and that is something we can be grateful for. Gratitude leads to happiness. Happiness is the ultimate positive attitude. Positive attitude begets positive energy, and that is always a good thing.
This is the one hundred thirty-eighth entry of my Positivity series. It is my hope these weekly messages might help spread positive energies for everyone. Feel free to share, re-blog and spread the positivity.
In relation to Positivity, check out my Five Easy Steps to Change the World for the Better.
