Happy hump day! Hi to any new readers out there! Thanks to some amazing bloggers who promoted my raffle, I hit an all time high of page views yesterday! (If you haven’t entered to win some awesome prizes and raise money for cancer research, check out my raffle page/post here.)
Today I want to chat a little bit about the power of positive thinking. Did you know that YOU are the only one who can change your attitude? I will say it again in case you are a super speed reader and didn’t really catch it. You are the only one who can change your attitude. Think about it. Yes, people say and do things to INFLUENCE you to change your mindset, but you have the control over how you RESPOND to you circumstances. Yes friends, the key lies in the response.
When you have a crappy morning run, when you get in a fight with your spouse, when you are sidelined with an injury, when someone says something hurtful to you, or when a family member is in the hospital, you have a CHOICE as to how you respond. As humans, our natural reaction is anxiety, fear, anger, frustration, and negativity.
It takes a conscience effort to say “I am NOT going to let this ruin my day.” Sometimes, I say it through gritted teeth, but truly, I have learned, that even if you are joyful, even when circumstances are crummy, that your outlook on life is much, much better. Hear me. I am not saying you should make light of a serious problem or issue, ignore something or someone, or pretend everything is ok. You can acknowledge a crappy circumstance, and then choose to not let it rattle you.
If you stop for a moment and count your blessings, or think “is this REALLY worth upsetting my whole day,” 9 times out of 10…probably not. ESPECIALLY in situations that we have no control over. Why have anxiety over something that you can’t change? Will anxiety add a single moment to your life? Will it change the circumstance, or just stress you out more?
The next time something happens, instead of the knee jerk reaction of pouting, getting angry, anxious, or negative, try to replace those feelings with positive ones. I woke up today, breathing. I have a family that loves me. I have sweet fur babies who think I am the best mom ever. I have a job I love. The weather outside is beautiful. Laugh. volunteer. Hug a puppy. (not too tightly.) Whatever it is that will help exchange the negative for joy, say it, repeat it, do it.
Some of my personal favorite phrases that exchange the negative for the positive are….
–I will not let ___________ win/steal my joy.
– I am the only one who can change my attitude
-I am stronger than I think
-Worrying will not fix this or add a single second to my life
-God is in control, and He is way more capable than I am of handling this.
-This too shall pass
Changing you attitude to one of gratitude, positivity, hope, and joy, can really make things a lot more bearable. It has helped me get though many less than ideal situations in my life, and I hope it helps you, too! I have this paper pinned up on my bulletin board in my office as a reminder:
I encourage you to print out your own helpful phrase. Or, write it on your mirror in an ugly color of lipstick you will never wear. (come on don’t pretend you don’t have those free samples shoved in a drawer somewhere!) Stick it on the refrigerator. Somewhere that will help you remember that you are in control of how you view things. Choose to be positive!!!
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Last night Bobby and I went on a hilly 3 miler, and I felt really good! I think my hard work is finally starting to pay off. That first picture of me in the grey top is pre run. I actually felt like giving a thumbs up AFTER the run, too! Great confidence booster!
QOTD: Do you have a favorite positive phrase that gets you through hard times?
-Any advice for getting through a rough time?
Awesome message! My favorite positive saying is something I saw in Runner’s World years ago: “there’s always a chance for showers, don’t let them stop you.” I interpret that as something can always go wrong, but don’t let that ruin your plans.
good one!
I really love the quote, “This too shall pass.” When I’m feeling upset about something, I know that there is always another day ahead! Great job on a great run! 🙂
yes! I figure, something bad can’t go on FOREVER, so there will be an end!
“In trying times, just keep trying”
My husband has been interviewing a lot lately for a better job. It has been a roller coaster to say the least. The other morning, on his way to another interview for a position that would be the opportunity of a lifetime, he saw that quote on a church sign on their front lawn. He kept remembering that quote throughout his interview and thereafter and it reminded him not to give up and stay positive. He found out yesterday that he got the job! So it’s true – “In trying times, just keep trying!”
thats a great one! and congrats on the job!
Thanks for this post. 🙂
big hugs.