Positive Energy

We live in a world of instant gratification where if we want or need anything we can usually get it really quickly. This is a comfort that our society never really experienced prior to the past few decades; but today, many of us have grown up with it and don't know anything else. Although exciting and convenient, getting something instantaneously can sometimes cause us to forget how satisfying gaining something over time can be, and also the value of what we acquire seems to lessen in the process. Working slowly towards a goal is a constant, natural theme in this world, and if we can slow down and learn to relish in the journey, the gratification of what we accomplish will last that much longer. Practice, focus and patience are incredibly beneficial to our well-being, and the more we use these characteristics towards our goals the richer our lives will be.

Feeling good is an important component toward reaching our goals, because when we're healthy and strong we can think beyond just survival and we have energy to follow our dreams. Being happy and healthy gives us the motivation to stick with or realize new goals - it's hard to worry when we're feeling good so our energy levels rise and we feel we can conquer anything. Taking care of ourselves - watching our diet, sleep and habits, will give us the strength and stamina to make our dreams come true. It's a daily choice and it's worth it.

The word ‘courage’ stems from the Latin word ‘cor’ – which means heart. Courage is the ability overcome our fears to do what we know in our hearts is right or necessary. Many times in life we must be braver than we think we can be: parents need to be brave for their children and sometimes children need to be brave for their parents. We need courage to stand up for our beliefs amid opposition and even more courage to live our truths. Having strength in the face of pain or grief also takes tremendous bravery as does taking the necessary steps to start over or reach for our dreams. We all will face situations which require us to rise to the occasion and when we show courage, we not only exhibit our best selves but we inspire others to be courageous too. And when that happens, together we can make the world a better place.

Being afraid is like adding a filter over our vision - it makes us watch for trouble at every turn which causes us to react defensively because we see others as threats, ready to cause harm. If we've ever been wrongly accused of ill-will by anyone, we know how it feels to be treated as an enemy unjustly and it's not only unfair, it hurts and it's unnecessary. How do we stop being afraid? Removing our fear goggles and seeing the good in others is the first step; the second is seeing the value in ourselves too. When we feel secure in ourselves, our confidence will raise us up past our fears and allow us to bravely engage with others in a positive way. When we treat others with good-will, it encourages them to feel better about themselves too. Seeing the best in others not only encourages healthy relationships, it's a wonderful way to spread positive energy.

Many times we've looked back at our lives and seen that the worst thing that could have happened actually ended up having so many silver linings it became one of the BEST things that could have happened. Turning something into it's complete opposite seems like magic; but in fact, it's all in our minds and how we choose to see things. We control if something is good for us or bad for us by how we choose to look at it - the event itself stays the same. Our foresight is limited so our best bet is to choose to see the good. If we imagine that no matter what is happening now, the best thing for us will happen, and we move forward with that knowledge, more times than not it will eventually come true.

When we count on others for our solace, relief or happiness we take a risk. Sometimes we find the support we seek; other times, we simply don't. Other people aren't always here to help us or teach us lessons - they have their own journeys too. When those we reach out to don't reach back, we don't need to spend time wondering why. We're each on our own path and we need to keep advancing. If we're supposed to be joined with others we would/will be. When we try our best to do our best we honor ourselves and those we encounter who share our hopes, trust and vision and by making the effort to show up, like magnets, the right people will find us and we'll find them.

Why are we here? What do we want from this life? What are we living for? Sometimes we get so caught up in getting everything done that we have to do every day that we lose sight of our dreams, goals and purpose. When that happens, it helps to take a break and regroup. Maybe it's an actual vacation, maybe just some quiet time to center ourselves and go within. Taking a moment (or more) if we can every day to acknowledge our purpose helps us stay on the right path and take the turns we need to get to where we hope to go.

"Help me" is something a lot of us are reluctant to say; yet, acknowledging that we can't do it all and learning that we need others is part of our human experience. There are many reasons we feel we can't ask for help: trust, ego, lack of confidence, fear of rejection - but if we can get beyond those barriers, we'll find that there's a compassionate world standing ready to assist. When we reach out for a helping hand and are pulled up, we feel lighter and protected - it's an incredible relief. Learning to ask for help and helping others when we can, will give us balance so we can move forward light-footed and feeling loved.

We all have fears from time to time - some are about real dangers but many are our imaginations, worrying about things that might or might not happen. An elemental part of being human is the fact that we never, ever know what each day will bring so it's natural to suppose that something bad could happen. But we can't hide from life - it always finds us - so learning how to face our fears is an important part of our growth. Looking back on how we made it through tough events in our past helps as does seeking support from friends and loved ones. Although we may not be sure what lies ahead we're not alone in this journey. When we help each other through the scary times, we realize that love is here to conquer fear.

When things are hectic and we're feeling completely overstretched and overwhelmed it's easy to throw ourselves completely off course because the stress we're under blocks our vision, hampers our breathing and messes with our sense of reality. Even though it seems like we need to go full speed to try to keep up, the best thing we can do in this situation is stop and reconnect with our breath which is our life. Taking ten slow breaths and repeating "it will all get done" will very quickly alleviate a lot of the pressure we're feeling. All we can do is the best we can under every circumstance. It WILL all get done the way it is meant to and there will be a lazy day ahead where we'll look back and wonder why we were so stressed. It's the ebb and flow of life!

It sometimes seems as if we're never going to make sense of things in this world. It can feel as if there are too many fights, too many obstacles, too many things to take care of, understand and organize. But if we take a look back at history we'll see that we humans have always fought about one thing or another, and that there is always a certain amount of stubbornness to every side of a situation. However things do change, and history does unfold.

When we feel discouraged at the state of the world, we must remember that if we keep working to better our lives, be true to ourselves, be conscious and open to the people and ideas around us, and above all, never say never, we are doing our part to maintain progression. Hope, kindness, and education contribute to the momentum forward of our race, even during the times when it seems they are all lost. No matter what, if we have faith in ourselves and faith in the universe, little by little things will work themselves out just as they're supposed to. Everything we do makes a difference, sometimes we just need to wait a little to see the outcome.

When we're overwhelmed by life, what we tell ourselves can make the difference between being stressed and being able to handle what's happening. Our inner voice is constantly sending us messages, many that zoom by so fast we're barely conscious of them; however, if we slow that voice down and deliberately provide messages of control, calmness and confidence, it can change our life in a moment. Affirmations and mantras are around because they really do work, and even if we're skeptical, it's always better to talk nicely to ourselves than to tell ourselves we're not enough, we can't do it, or we'll fail. Letting ourselves know that no matter what, we're where we're supposed to be and everything that needs to get done will get done in it's time will help us from worrying as we prioritize our way through crazy times. Taking a breath, smiling and giving ourselves acknowledgement for all we do, not what we haven't done yet, will get us to the next level.

Most of us want to make positive changes in our lives but sometimes we're not ready. When we approach challenges and obligations with focus and determination we'll have a greater chance of success and that can only happen when our hearts and heads are in alignment. The first step is to gain some clarity about what we want to do. If we can think through the pros and cons we'll gain the energy to take action, and then, as we see results, our confidence will grow and add even more energy. This creates a positive cycle of forward progress that can be applied to any situation in our lives. We all have it in us to make positive changes in our lives - we just have to tell ourselves when!

The way we treat ourselves sets the standard for how others treat us. Are we respecting and loving ourselves? Do we show care and concern by taking care of our health, our bodies and our minds? Our self perception can sometimes be biased, based on long standing beliefs we've held about ourselves. As we grow we may not notice how we change, but if we practice regular mindfulness - looking at our surroundings, our lives and our selves with fresh eyes- we'll make sure to keep ourselves in sync. When we're true to ourselves the choices we make reflect that honesty, which in turn allows others to see us as the beautiful individuals we are and thus, treat us accordingly.

An easy way to increase our levels of well-being and happiness is to cultivate gratitude. When we choose grateful thinking, and express it to others, we'll also experience increased levels of energy, optimism, and empathy. Many of us think that we don't have control over our experiences and to a degree, we are all in the dark about what might happen next. But when we look around and feel grateful for who we are, what we have, where we are and who we're with, we physically lighten up and our joy lights the way for everyone around us. How fun is that?

Wishing on a star isn't as farfetched as we might think. Scientists have found that "magical thinking" can help us cope when we're feeling hopeless. When we need a lift, imagining a positive outcome can help us regain a little sense of control and give us something to look forward to. Neuropsychologists feel that magical thinking is essential for creativity, because it allows us to see patterns and make associations that go beyond rational thought. Imagining, dreaming, and seeing possibilities are tools we have anytime we need a boost. They work!

Comparing ourselves to others always means that someone will be greater or lesser - not a healthy way to think. Imagine hiking on a path and constantly considering the other hikers and their progress instead of paying attention to our own journey - it serves little purpose. Comparisons among other people are arbitrary and non-productive. We are all unique and each of us has something special to offer. Worrying that we don't measure up in some way is never a message we want to send to ourselves. If we keep trying, we'll get where we are supposed to be in our own time. Loving ourselves and enjoying our journey is the true measure of a life well lived.

Some things in life are counter-intuitive; for example, if we want to be rich, we should be generous, and if we want to be powerful, we need to be benevolent. All the money in the world won't bring us pleasure if we don't experience the joy of sharing, and bullies don't (well, shouldn’t ) get our respect - it's the leaders who show kindness and compassion who people want to follow. Life works in magical ways - sometimes things are what we expect and sometimes they're the opposite but when we're open and optimistic, success will usually find us one way or another.

Allowing ourselves to be truly seen can be incredibly scary. We often find ourselves putting on masks, or hiding behind our own selves to protect who we actually are, the qualities of ourselves that feel much closer and more tender to us. In our minds putting ourselves out there it can feel daring- what if we're not liked? What if we're not appreciated? What if someone else doesn't think that part of us is right? The answers to each of these questions, however, are all the same - it doesn't matter, because at the very least we're being honest, authentic, and courageous. Staying true to ourselves is one of the most important things we can practice in our lives, because allowing ourselves to be unique invites others to allow it in themselves, rejecting our masks and embracing our beautiful authenticity.

If we saw someone hurt and fallen on a path we were walking, most of us would want to offer help or resources - our inner natures would bring our compassion and kindness to the fore. Helping or giving acknowledges the connection we have with each other and is also a way to practice letting go of our time or goods, which is where freedom from suffering lies. When we assist others without any sort of expectation, just because we've been moved, we awaken a natural joy that comes when the heart opens. Seeking ways to help others is a win-win for everyone and if we practice it often, can change our lives immeasurably.

Many of us take shortcuts when we meet others and "label" them based on characteristics they may exhibit; yet labels are not only restrictive, they're derogatory. When we take a complex person and lump them into a group we miss the opportunity to find out what makes them unique and special. No two of us share the exact same history; thus, all of our stories are special. When we dig deeper to learn more we might find a treasure just under the surface.

The definition of 'struggle' is to strive to achieve or attain something in the face of difficulty or resistance. Struggling means we're learning and growing and is actually a wonderful thing. Any time we encounter something new, whether it be a job, a class or activity, or even a relationship, there's a time of struggling to figure out the new information and become comfortable with it. We can't make progress without effort. It may not be the most comfortable feeling but we should congratulate ourselves when we feel ourselves struggling because we know we're on our way to taking our lives to the next level. ♥

We're all unique which, by definition, makes us all different from one another; however, one thing we have in common is that we're all human beings. The color of our skin, our age, height, shape, education, job, income, religious beliefs, etc. don't change that fact. Choosing to focus on our differences is contrary to our growth as people because it divides and ostracises us from each other. When we choose instead to find a connection, to be kind, to listen and accept others, just as we'd like to be accepted for the way we are, we're showing the elevated side of being human. If we were all the same it would be a pretty boring existence. When we use our differences as opportunities to learn and grow we all benefit. It's a win-win! ♥

When we spread laughter, we're creating joy, happiness, and love. Laughter is powerful: it unites, clears out negativity and inspires. When we're down, one off the best things we can do is try to find something to laugh about. Even smiling changes our chemistry and pushes the heaviness away. Laughter is a bridge that brings people back to a place of joy from one of hardships and challenges. When we decide not to take whatever is going on in our life so seriously and laugh as freely as children do, our joy will start to spread like a beam of light. Once we illuminate others with our happiness, we'll see how positive energy can truly change lives.