Positivity!

Now I know I’ve been missing from blogosphere for some time now.  I haven’t written anything in nearly two months (hands on cheeks).  I have been super busy with work (of course with no adjustment to my pay slip).  Anyway, I have been working on this post for some time now.  I hope you enjoy.  Let’s get to reading……………….

Now I'll be the first to admit that I was never your "Ms. Mary Sunshine", I was truly a "Debbie Downer" (all my SNL fans would know who this is lol).  I generally viewed things with a glass half empty mentality.  I always considered the worst case scenario in any and every situation.  Once the worst occurred I would then act accordingly cause after all the worst was expected.  I was truly a very pessimistic individual.  I think about past positive scenarios and found that even then I would zero in on whatever negative aspect I could find of that scenario.

I have had an amazing life, a great life thus far (& my amazing & great life continues still).  I never met any serious challenges until I got older when my rose coloured glasses were removed from my eyes.  I received a serious wake up call.  I realised that were persons in this world that went out of their way to steal your joy and your positivity.  Simply put: they are placed to break you or grow you.   I generally allowed persons to “break me”.  Now the saying "People come into your life for a reason or season" and this I realise to be true with each passing day.  I have learnt that by allowing someone to “break me” is tantamount to giving this person power over your life, actions, feelings, thoughts - everything. Over time I have learnt that when a person comes in to your life and acts like that they are definitely in your life for a season.  If one comes in your life and inspires you in any way they are definitely in your life for more than a season and most definitely a reason.

I am learning to remain positive in the midst of adversity, great and/or small.  It has been not easy as I have been a negative individual for so long.  I have had to train myself not to resort to harbouring negative thoughts in the midst of any form of strife.  The simplest signs of adversity generally would send me over the edge.  Now I am definitely a lot more patient as I evaluate the situation and look for the opportunity in the present difficulty.   For example, the other day my car refused to start on two occasions.  The first occasion I was really despondent, angry and worrisome; worried that the repair cost would break me.  I felt defeated.  Something so minor (in the grand scheme of things) got me so defeated, so down.  My friends know I am prone to quick tears and they were on their way for sure.  On the second occasion, however, I took a totally different approach. It was like I was a different person. Initially I asked the Lord "why now?"  I thought to myself "mi just fix the blasted car".  This particular time I had just gotten paid and I started going off on a tangent with all kinds of thoughts.  I started to laugh and said in my mind “All is well".  I said it so much in mind I started saying it out loud "All is well!"  I spoke freely to my God.  I asked Him that the repair be minor and resolved as quick as possible. This whole car saga took place at 6.41 pm and by 8 pm I was home (I made some stops along the way too :)).  The cost - much less than what it cost me the first time around (Yay!!!!).  It did not “mash up” my budget too badly.

My boyfriend of almost one year has also played a critical role in the overhaul of my outlook on life.  He is positive about life possibilities, totally in love with His God and has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  He has taught me remain calm in the spite of all of life’s difficulties.  Accept that things happen for a reason and that I am where God wants me to be at this time in my life.  He has taught me to hope, hold onto my dreams, have faith in God and believe that all things are possible. He constantly and consistently encourages me to be the best “me” possible.  Richard Bernard has become and is my own personal cheerleader.  Another reason and not just for a season!

The reasons continue.  My supervisor at work recently resigned and my "little world" felt threatened.  She had become my fearless confidante and buffer against work pressures and some of life's pressures too.  I felt stressed (lol, word start get regular use sah since she lef).  I felt like I couldn't manage without her but I would have to as her time with me at work drew nearer to a close.  She truly holds herself highly and not in arrogant manner.  She truly believes in God and trusts him explicitly.  I have learnt that in leaning on Him will never steer me wrong.  Heather Muirhead Brown has been a Godsend. 

There are others that have impacted positively in my life (i.e. my mom but I think that goes without saying) and I realise that by surrounding yourself with positive people even if things do not go the way you want or plan it is profound to get through the outcome whether favourable or not.  I say avoid negative people but sometimes it is hard especially when you are related to them.  I say steer the conversation towards positive words as best as you can and then get away as soon as you can. 

In addition to surrounding myself with positive people and deepening my relationship with God I have found several pages on Facebook that provide inspirational advice, lots of words of wisdom and encouragement.  They include:  Zig Ziglar, Joel Osteen, Les Brown, Iylana Vanzant, Paula White, MindFood, Robert Kiyosaki, Jim Rohn, Simple Truths, Life Pulp, Quotes Influence, Your Beautiful Life.  I encourage you to like them as they post on your timeline words and quotes of positivity and inspiration.  I don’t know about you but a lot of times these words come just at the right time.

An area of great discomfort for me is my (current) weight, my sporadic lack of motivation to exercise and eat right.  I do try keep focused on my goal - get fit, get healthy but it's hard. I do realise that I must remain positive as even though I do not have the body I want now I know that with constant diligence and faith in God and the process I will definitely get there.  It took me a while to understand but I think I do now.  You have to love what you have now (my body that is) then work on making it better.  There is no shame in constant self improvement.  After all we are all works of progress.

A positive attitude will lead to positive outcomes (borrowed from LifePulp on FB).  I will achieve my goal - get fit & healthy - one day at a time.