Pathwalking 139
It is vitally important that you work on a positive attitude when Pathwalking.
I have mentioned rather frequently that positivity is terribly important. If you do not remain positive, you might find yourself easily trapped in any number of undesired matters.
Yet there are going to be days where remaining positive feels impossible. No matter what you do to restore your mindset, you just feel…off. You feel blue.
This is particularly rough if, like me, you might be known to suffer from depression from time to time.
Distractions can only do so much. I cannot tell you how much time I will give to a lame video game either on Facebook or my iPhone. For a time, it takes my mind away from the things that are making me feel negative. But that is not long enough, and the negativity returns.
Why is positivity better than negativity? Simply because like attracts like. “Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny,” Yoda told us. If you allow the negative to take root, it will continue to build and grow, and instead of a strong base of positive attitude, you have one of negative. Positivity is growth and development, while negativity is stagnation and decay. Which do you prefer?
What do I need to do in order to set these things aside and let positivity dominate my thoughts?
The first challenge is to identify the what. What is it that is making me feel like this? It can be as simple as sleepiness or hunger or such. But in all likelihood it is a thing, such as news that I have read or financial concerns or a tangible or semi-tangible outside influence having its effect on me.
Without a doubt the what can easily be more than one thing, or any combination of all of these. We are complex, multifaceted creatures, you and I. So while there may be a singular answer the odds are it’s a combination of matters. Determining the what is the first step.
Once I know the what, the next matter is determining the why. Why is this matter or these matters bothering me? Why are these things making me feel negative, and why are they dominating my attitude? Why?
Along this same line comes the determination of the how. How is this making me feel negative? Is it due to something I can or cannot control? Is it anger, fear, frustration or such? How is this negative thing making me feel negative?
The questions of what, why and how can really open up the root of the problem. Currently, it is a combination for me of fear and frustration. A situation I am in has triggered certain fear responses, and at the same time the what of the matter is a cause of consternation. These negative emotions are very very powerful, and the knowledge of the power of negativity over Pathwalking and my want to be happy actually magnifies the frustration.
So I know what, I know why, and I know how. I know what is causing me to feel negative, and I know how and why I am feeling this way. The trick now is to do something about it.
The first question is – is the what in this situation within my control? Whether partial or total control, this will help me determine if there is anything to be done about the matter of what.
Second question – is the why and how of this under my control? The why and how may be separate and apart, so while the one may be in my control the other may not. The why in my current situation is causing me to feel certain emotions, and those negative emotions are the how. I cannot control the why, but I can take charge over the how.
Which brings me to the third question – based on the what and why and how, what can I do? What am I empowered to do in this matter to change my mindset, escape from the negativity and return my focus to positivity?
This presents to me the single greatest challenge I routinely face. My mind gets trapped within negative thoughts and emotions, and I have to fight to focus on the positive I need to manifest the life I want, and walk my chosen path. I have been struggling with this all my life, really, and more so since I began Pathwalking.
The truth is that I have no definitive answer. What’s more, what works for me one day may not work on another. The means to return my mind to positivity today fails completely tomorrow. And just to add another complication, even if I had a surefire means that worked for me, chances are it might not work for you.
I skipped a workout at the gym today to sit outside at a picnic table and write this out. It has not wholly pulled me from the negativity I have been fighting, but it has given me perspective. That is important, because without perspective, I cannot begin to work on changing negativity to positivity, and more successfully walking my path.
I will continue this exploration next week. Thank you for continuing to be a part of my path, as you travel upon your own paths.
Do you see why positivity is important to Pathwalking?
This is the one-hundred thirty ninth entry in my series. These weekly posts are specifically about walking along the path of life, and my desire to make a difference in this world along the way. Feel free to re-blog and share. Thank you for joining me.
The first fifty-two weeks (Year One) of installments of Pathwalking is available in print and for your Kindle.
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