The Positive Life

[BestButchBoy]

For me personally, the biggest personal and most positive change I've ever made in my life is to finally get and understand that loving oneself [Not in a narcissistic way!] is the most important thing that anyone can do. It's one thing to say that you get it. It's another thing to really, really love yourself and treat yourself with love, kindness, acceptance and authenticity. It's freedom. It's power. It's magic.

It is my opinion, based solely on my own personal experience, that when you know, trust, appreciate and believe in yourself; own your value, you will not be drawn to anything or anyone negative or damaging to yourself or anyone else.

[PoeticWitch]

I have learned many things over the years, not that I am old or anything, but some years were worse then others. Lets see if I can remember it all for (generic) you.

Breathe

Let go

Smile it will release endorphins to help you feel happy

go for a walk or a run

Pet an animal that will not bite or scratch you

ascertain the problem and if it can be solved

If it can be solved, solve it

If it cannot be solved, accept it and move on

Get out of bed, staying there only feeds your depression

take a shower

Take a nap, sometimes sleeping on it can solve it

talk to a friend that doesnt give advice, it might help you come up with a solution

the past is gone, tomorrow is an iffy, so live for today

Meditate

If you cannot meditate chant, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to shut your brain up

When you lay down at night to sleep, your thoughts are plagued with doubts about your day, so fantasize about happy things. A beach, A mountain, being in the arms of your one true love. Be your own personal super hero/oine. Be your favorite character in your favorite book

Make something

Get dressed up just because you can

Ok I think I have rambled enough.. Tata have a good day

[CyberStud]

Originally Posted by PoeticWitch

I have learned many things over the years, not that I am old or anything, but some years were worse then others. Lets see if I can remember it all for (generic) you.

Breathe

Let go

Smile it will release endorphins to help you feel happy

go for a walk or a run

Pet an animal that will not bite or scratch you

ascertain the problem and if it can be solved

If it can be solved, solve it

If it cannot be solved, accept it and move on

Get out of bed, staying there only feeds your depression

take a shower

Take a nap, sometimes sleeping on it can solve it

talk to a friend that doesnt give advice, it might help you come up with a solution

the past is gone, tomorrow is an iffy, so live for today

Meditate

If you cannot meditate chant, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to shut your brain up

When you lay down at night to sleep, your thoughts are plagued with doubts about your day, so fantasize about happy things. A beach, A mountain, being in the arms of your one true love. Be your own personal super hero/oine. Be your favorite character in your favorite book

Make something

Get dressed up just because you can

Ok I think I have rambled enough.. Tata have a good day

I'm in total agreement with the comment made so eloquently by PoeticWitch and others on this thread. The only thing I would add that I personally find extremely useful in resisting the destructive influence of negativity, is being selfless. Negativity at it's very essence is all consuming of oneself, so I find doing something that involves utter selflessness in the charitable arena does wonders for my spirit and recharges the positive force by that dynamic exchange of energy and focus.

[PoeticWitch]

Forgive yourself for not know what you want. Sometimes you have to figure out what you don't want to know what you do want.

We don't come with a handbook... if we do someone has been lying to me and I want a copy!

[aishah]

Originally Posted by PoeticWitch

Forgive yourself for not know what you want. Sometimes you have to figure out what you don't want to know what you do want.

this is brilliant and something i've struggled with, with realizing that if i could go back and make some pretty significant life decisions (namely college and graduate school) over again, i would. it's hard to forgive myself for making decisions in those areas i wish i hadn't made, but also if i hadn't made those decisions, i wouldn't have the amazing life i have now. i didn't know what i wanted then (or i thought i did but i was wrong). but i needed that to get to where i am.

[Kätzchen]

It's been a huge help to me to attend Al-anon meetings. When I go, I never attend the same group meeting. I go to a variety of new meetings because no day is the same, much like life -- in and of itself.

But, devoting an hour of each day to any meeting I choose to attend, helps me in practicing several skills. Like: letting go, keeping life simple, devoting care and attention to me, making life somewhat more pleasurable, in most all cases as it concerns me.

Sometimes it's not easy to let go. After all, constantly caring for my son's kind of over took my own ability to care about me.

So the biggest gift I give myself daily is doing things that ultimately show how much I care about myself.

That, and riding my bicycle daily. I'm in great shape, I don't feel so stressed out, and I get a lot of joy from taking life and living life in simpler terms of lifestyle choices.

[femmeandstrong]

Staying in the moment...
something I have learned and continue to learn...

the moment is quite a rare place near a tranquil, winding river....
even a beaver might surprise me there on a rare occasion...
to feel the sunshine on my face...
to have THIS moment...
to live a grateful life...
NOW is all I am promised...and in my NOW I will be present...

So today...
I am given a precious HERE and NOW...
and to have another hand in mine who happens to live that way...
I am touched beyond words...
a smile is rising in my heart...

A grateful day is in front of me...
carpe diem.

[Gayandgray]

So today I'm going to remember all the good I have in my life, and how I kinda live pretty positive on my days off. I'm going to stay positive today if it kills me! It's hard for me to be around so many negative, toxic people at work and not get down, but today I'm going to give it a go. I woke up with really good vibes about this.........

[clay]

As I am always looking at the positive side of any given situation, I do stay positive.

I heard something said....be part of the solution, not part of the problem. So I don't view anything as a "problem" rather a solution!

When one gives energy to anything negative, it will continue to have power to bring negative. So I choose to NOT give any power to anything negative & see it as a positive....confused yet...? lol

[Medusa]

Practicing some positivity today by listening to one of my favorite playlists on Spotify, dancing around the house, and working down my "to do" list!

[Medusa]

One of the things I have been doing over the past year when I'm feeling grumpy or having a "feeling sorry for myself" day is thinking back to where I was this time x amount of time ago.

Sometimes just looking at the present and saying, "But look how far you've come" or "think about how you felt this time last year" has been a super amazing lens for being grateful for the present.

And lately? there's a LOT to be grateful for. <3

[girl_dee]

I have been on (yet another ) spiritual journey and one of the things that has REALLY worked for me...

When you start to feel worry or anxiety, to IMMEDIATELY go into a place of gratitude. This shit works!

[Gayandgray]

I'm learning not to take things for granted! I'm learning to appreciate what I have! I'm trying hard to be positive and look on the bright side of things. And you know something, it's not that hard. I really don't have to try hard.....

[~ocean]

We tend to base our happiness on others. (relationships , family etc.) look in the mirror and fall in love with the person you see, feel, respect . Smile your worth every character line ~

[Gayandgray]

I woke up hearing the Bob Marley song "Every little thing is gonna be alright" playing in my head. I feel like a really big weight has been lifted off my chest and I can breathe! I'm positive and excited to begin my new journey now that I'm 48 and the new moon is starting. New moon, new beginnings. I've decided to go 100% vegetarian and eventually transition to vegan, I'm signed up for my yoga classes, Im going to start walking on the beach several times a week (already started, actually), and just slow down and live a more relaxed, slower paced life. Kinda like being on vacation at the beach? You move at a slower pace cuz you are living on island time, ya know? I can make this work in real life now that I will be working less.

[cathexis]

Originally Posted by girl_dee

I have been on (yet another ) spiritual journey and one of the things that has REALLY worked for me...

When you start to feel worry or anxiety, to IMMEDIATELY go into a place of gratitude. This shit works!

Works for me, but assuredly different than most people's idea of how to do it. Go to my Partner, drop my eyes, and get curled up in Her arms. Works wonders.

[girl_dee]

[QUOTE=cathexis;1150644]Works for me, but assuredly different than most people's idea of how to do it. Go to my Partner, drop my eyes, and get curled up in Her arms. Works wonders./QUOTE]

Hell, that would TOTALLY work for me too.

i am very grateful for those arms, too.

[Gayandgray]

The universe has my back.....

[Kätzchen]

[Orema]

Originally Posted by Medusa

I was thinking about a few people I know today who are very positive and really work hard to keep negative emotions checked and appreciate all of the wonderful things they have in life.

What are some things you do to keep the negative aspects of life in check?

What are some things you do to stay positive?

Share your thoughts!

Focusing on what I have instead of what I don’t have. It could be seen as a form of gratitude, but for me it’s more about how I direct (focus) my energy.

Talking to my ancestors. I have issues with God but I find comfort and peace when I “pray” or ask for guidance from members of my family who have passed on. I’ve done this for most of my adult life and it takes me from a bad place to a good one. Most conversations are with my mother, aunt, sister, grandmother. Occasionally, I’ll reach out to my father or uncles, but usually it’s the women I rely on.