I believe that life will be as hard or as easy as you make it. You can say that you are having a bad day, and then your day will continue to be bad as long as you think it. The same applies to saying you are having a good day. Can it be so simple? Can positive thinking really change the outcome of the day? I think so. Not always, because how can the death of a loved one taken so suddenly be looked at positively? How can a broken heart be seen as a good thing right at that moment. But in the long run, I really think your outlook changes the end result.
I have a friend, bless her heart, who finds fault with many things and with people. She will remember a time 15 years ago, that someone said something bad to her and will not let it fall into the past. She will talk about an event over and over and there is no use trying to change the subject. You can see in her eyes that she is really disturbed by it and her face shows such displeasure and just her body language tells that she is unhappy about it. I have watched her and I love her and accept that this is her. She is so set in her ways that she knows no other lifestyle or way of thinking. I accept her and love her as she is. Because I know this of her, it is easy for me to listen and at the end of the day, I don't feel burdened or angry at why she is this way. She just is.
I have watched her and learned that this is not the way I want to be. I do not want to hold a grudge against someone for the rest of my life and let this grudge eat at my soul. I do not want to look at things in a negative way and taint my view of life and people. I want to have an open mind and learn new things, meet new people, and forgive old enemies. I have learned to forgive and let go. To leave the past in the past and remember the good things. If someone has hurt me, I'll forgive and I will let go, but I will be more wary the next time and not be so careless with my heart. For that is what we do, we open ourselves to new people and experiences and we let them hold our hearts or our souls, we grasp their hands and trust in them to lead us and take care of us and not to cause harm to us.
I have looked into my life and the people that I surround myself with. I try to stay near to positive people and experiences. I have whittled away the negative things in my life and tossed away extra baggage. What I have left is something I am happy with. I have my Hubby, I have my 3 daughters, my home and my little projects that make me smile. I have a few close friends and family. This is what makes my life enjoyable. I am a big believer in what goes around, comes around. I try not to say anything bad about anyone and try to treat everyone that I meet kindly and with respect. I don't need Karma to hunt me down and bite me in the ass over some unkind thing I did or said.
Granted, I have my days where I struggle not to let negative thoughts pull me down. I have to really will that glass to be half full and not half empty. But I like to think that if you think it, feel it, know it and live it, your life can be better. You have a choice to make when you open your eyes in the morning, you can wake and say, "It's a new day!" or you can say, "Ugh! Another day." I made my choice, what's yours?
I think I might be your Aunt. lol
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say, it's just how I am.
I needed to read this. Thank you. I am normally a very positive person but I think that lately I have surrounded myself with negativity and it is really starting to bring me down. Thanks again for saying this.
ReplyDeleteI'm married to your aunt! Drives me nuts. I always see the positive and the funny side - it makes life so much more enjoyable to live in! Great post, thoroughly agree with you
ReplyDeleteI have an aunt and a mother just like your aunt. They can remember fights and events 75 years ago and will argue about them all over again. Like, who cares?! You definitely have the right attitude.
ReplyDeleteKrissie-- After reading all your posts, you are DEFINETELY not like my aunt! You are open to new experiences and actually go out (ok, once in a blue moon, but still..) and meet new people. But that's ok! I still like ya! LOL
ReplyDeleteDana-- You're welcome! I have my moments, too.. And sometimes it takes a post like this to help me keep my chin up. You are going through a lot right now so it's understandable how you are feeling. As long as you are aware of it, you can do something about it! Chin up, honey!
Sparx-- I try to see the sunny side of things, too. Who wants to be a sourpuss all the time???
Coffee-- That's my aunt!! She will remember stuff from 50 years ago and Mom will just nod her head instead of arguing about it with her. No use trying to fight a battle she can't win. It's no fun arguing with a person that will not admit they are wrong.
Bossy once heard you're only as happy as you decide to be.
ReplyDeletei completely agree with you. and what a wonderful post - thought provoking. (sorry to use that term!) i strongly believe that whats goes around comes around and try to treat people how i would want to be treated myself. i try never to take anytihng for granted. Betty is teething and i got a little irritated earlier when she wouldn't eat, and then i read DJK's post about her son and i felt unbelieveably stupid and guilty and sad.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Almost. Having just had my first experience of real depression I've had to accept that we can't force happiness. But we can hope for it - and be open to it with each Brand New Day.
ReplyDeleteOoooh I was raised to believe in Karma. Another great post.
ReplyDeleteBossy-- And I've decided to be happy happy happy!
ReplyDeleteElsie-- How true! I try not to take things for granted and we teach the girls the same. All this could be taken away from me tomorrow, so I appreciate all I've got.
Good Woman-- You're right, you can't force it, but you can try and see the silver lining in things and in life.
Dj-- Thank you!
I agree with the good woman. depression is a nasty bitch that makes that thinking positive thing a hell of a lot harder than on any given normal day. In sentiment I agree whole heartedly but in actual practice I could only say I honestly make it happen maybe 3 out of 4 weeks in a month. Still, I long for the positive and that is a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteSummer-- I have had bouts with depression before and I know how hard it can be to claw and fight your way back to 'Happy People Land'. It's been a long time since, though and I am glad to leave that behind and look to the future. I think I can honestly say I am about the same as you.. 3 out of 4 weeks I am cheery and loveable. I bet you can guess which week I am a sourpuss?
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said.
ReplyDelete~LaRonda
laronda-- Thank you!
ReplyDelete