Life grants us many challenges, to be sure. Many frustrate us on a daily basis, which can depress us or at least drag our mood into the gutter. How do we counteract the negativity?
One method is taking some time to focus on the positives in your life. While it may sound cliché, you will inevitably have more tolerance for the unpleasant things we come across if you purposely maintain presence in the moment and list, then savor the positives within your day. Truly, this can create an ultimately happier life.
Polly Campbell, author of Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, shares that her personal success in her marriage is strongly tied to her and her husband’s ability to celebrate even the smallest joys in their lives. She explains that it is extremely important to genuinely bring attention to details that will help fight off negative situations that happen to us. Campbell suggests we use three steps to help us relish moments:
- Notice the moment – First thing is to actually recognize that there is something to celebrate, or at least acknowledge as a positive event. Think about all the things that happened during your day; ask yourself, “What made me happy or smile today?” You might surprise yourself with a list much longer than you suspect.
- Move out of the routine and set the scene – Make sure to actually take the time to recognize the positive moment or event. Take steps to designate a place where you can dedicate a bit of time to really relish the joy.
- Commemorate the moment – This step requires that you come up with a method to actually celebrate positive moments. Whether it be a toast or a high five, dream up something that represents and honors that event, moment, accomplishment, or success that brought joy and positivity into your life.
Imagine how much time we spend focusing on the bad, the negative and the ugly. It takes work to learn how to focus on the good, positive and beautiful. If you practice and truly commit yourself to making your life more positive, the benefits you will gain are endless. However, the most important benefit is that you will noticeably be happier on a daily basis. We all have an opportunity to be happier; knowing it is possible should help.
For more information: