Seeing the positive

Smash Allen

Smash Allen

Banned
A recently-closed thread had some good thoughts on perspectives and I would like to see a continuation here in this thread.

How do you choose to see the positive in your day to day life?

Positive statements only please. This is meant to be a thread to prompt the sharing of your own 'strategy' so that others may benefit from your positive world view.

I have included a quote from another member whose strategy very closely follows my own.

. . . Change the channel, the show you're watching sucks. What is to be gained by voluntarily focusing on all the bad? Do you think it will change the world? Will your astute assesment [sic] of humanity change even the slightest thing? Or will you just walk around adding to the conglomerate misery of the world for your entire miserable life? . . . you are in control of the remote. Watch something that is better for YOU because its JUST MORE FUN THAT WAY. Do you want to enjoy your life or not? I consiously [sic] choose fun over not fun.
Click to expand...

This is a strategy that requires daily conscious effort from me, however the results have been tangible and long lasting.

There were several other great strategies posted and I hope they find their way into this thread as well! :)

You are kind, smart, and important; how do you see the positive?
 
budman

budman

General Menace
Staff member
"Let the little things go and focus on the bigger picture".

The bigger picture is where the positives live in my world.
 
Smash Allen

Smash Allen

Banned
budman said:
"Let the little things go and focus on the bigger picture".

The bigger picture is where the positives live in my world.
Click to expand...

Well said :)

As motorcyclists we are well aware of the fact that you go where you look, so look at the bright side and you'll find yourself there:ride:thumbup
 
Entoptic

Entoptic

Red Power!
I meditate in the morning and think of how I can put smiles on faces.

Any negative thoughts I recognize, give a moment to process and then attempt to let it go through breath.
 
Bay Arean

Bay Arean

Well-known member
I have a very hard time answering this today in the stated way of OP.

The only salve on my emotional wounds from day-to-day is always: tomorrow is another day. I'll wake up, try and do better and maybe things will go better.

I currently work in an environment of mostly depressed or weird people. I always try, like Entoptic, to make a joke, have a smile and try and have fun. I lost my greatest ally when my old boss retired a year ago who was beloved for keeping it light. That is my approach each day, to try and get a laugh or giggle out of somebody here. My long-since passed away mother was known to be the ice-breaker in the operating room and environs. As much as I cherish her, I try to emulate her as well. I keep thinking: how can people not at least have a happy memory of you in the end if you were always trying to be positive or at least hopeful of something better....But even happy teasing can be "read" wrong so sometimes that falls flat too.
 
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Brokenlink

Brokenlink

Banned
Smash Allen said:
Well said :)

As motorcyclists we are well aware of the fact that you go where you look, so look at the bright side and you'll find yourself there:ride:thumbup
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I'm not going to shit on your thread anymore than I am about to right here.

But this response is exactly why I closed my thread. I am glad that it works like that for you. For some of us, it doesn't. I can look at the bright side all day long and my brain (call it brain chemistry or not, I don't care) will still go to very dark places, especially during winter and early spring. It's called depression and as I said in the other thread, it isn't as easy as "Oh hey bud, just think positive thoughts."

I like the concept of your thread. But the idea that one can simply turn it off is a fallacy. It's no different than changing your skin color or height. Sure, there are coping mechanisms and drugs to help. But equating happiness and positivity with target fixation is a little insulting, to be honest.

I have a great life. I can be standing at the top of my property watching the sunrise and looking at my horses while my dog licks my face and still my brain thinks "This is a great day to die."
 
Smash Allen

Smash Allen

Banned
Entoptic said:
I meditate in the morning and think of how I can put smiles on faces.

Any negative thoughts I recognize, give a moment to process and then attempt to let it go through breath.
Click to expand...

:thumbupMeditation...great suggestion! Yoga has taught me that my breathing reflects my inner state of mind, and by focusing on my breathing I can improve my state of mind. This has translated to riding as well; I never realized that I hold my breath when I am over-exerting myself. Now when I catch myself in a bad-breathing loop I take a minute to reset and relax :)

Bay Arean said:
I have a very hard time answering this today.

The only salve on my emotional wounds from day-to-day is always: tomorrow is another day. I'll wake up, try and do better and maybe things will go better.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing:) Having optimism in tomorrow and persistence in improving day-to-day is a valuable strategy that is shared by the most successful people I know.
 
Smash Allen

Smash Allen

Banned
Brokenlink said:
I'm not going to shit on your thread anymore than I am about to right here.

. . .

I have a great life. I can be standing at the top of my property watching the sunrise and looking at my horses while my dog licks my face and still my brain thinks "This is a great day to die."
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing :) I don't think you are shitting on this thread, in fact you are providing a valuable point of view. I apologize if you find anything I say insulting.

Please know my words come from a place of empathy and an attempt to relate to find common ground.

I only need to think of the things, relationships, and position in the world that I occupy to be overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude that uplifts even my darkest thoughts. Sometimes (okay maybe once or twice a month) a thought comes to mind that if I were to end things or pass suddenly it would be alright. It only lasts for a moment before a sense of guilt comes over me when I consider those who depend on me (whether I am aware of them or not) and what they would be left with (or without). This usually makes me slow down a few miles per hour on the freeway, and hug my dogs extra hard when I get home :)
 
budman

budman

General Menace
Staff member
I tend to enjoy the small moments too.. and realize life is good.

Hugging the dog certainly works, the kids the wife. A chuckle to be shared or a memory of a friend that is no longer around. Those are little moments are to be treasured.

When I come home my beagle Louie runs to the gate that separates the kitchen from the living room and he howls "haaaarrrroooo". He leans on the gate and brings his face right to mine, but won't lick me (because I taught him not too) and then I say "hug" and he turns his head so we are hugging cheek to cheek. How long we hug depends on my day. Sometimes I need a longer hug to set the course right.
 
GAJ

GAJ

Well-known member
Thankfully I've always been a glass half full type of person.

Most are not and overlook, or underplay, their own positive achievements or cannot see the forest for the trees of their own particular life situation.

My brother and I both had the same childhood trauma at being sent 5000 miles from home to the UK for boarding school for 2 1/2 years.

I was 6 1/2 and he was 4 years older.

Unfortunately he has a photographic memory while I do not.

Luckily he quit drinking before it killed him.

Childhood trauma is a hard thing to overcome.
 
Climber

Climber

Well-known member
Never let life make you cynical, at least not more than you can prevent. Some amount is always unavoidable with time on this earth, but minimize it as much as you can.

If you allow negative people to get into and occupy head space, you are doing the job for them in spoiling your life. Just don't give them that license to do it to you, some people you can't avoid all the time, but when they're out of your presence remove them from your consciousness too. Too many people give others that power by letting them get to them long after they've moved on to tormenting others.

Find the silver lining in the cloud or at least the humor in the situation, even when it doesn't exist, laughter is one of the best medicines.

Spend more time with people who bring positive energy into your life and pick activities that give you positive energy.

Watch less TV!!!
 
tuxumino

tuxumino

purrfect
I used to thin SAAB drivers were the dumbest people on earth.
I thought SAAB was an acronym for Stupid as a Brick.
I realized that was a very negative way to view people so now I think SAAB, Smart as a Brick.
 
Godsdarling

Godsdarling

Smile & Wave for me!
I have a very positive outlook on life and people, to the point my positivity can be annoying :laughing Once you fix your brain, you see the positives everywhere. :love To make sure my brain stays on the positive I do a bunch of things.

I focus on my blessings :) I pray in the morning thanking God for, at the very least, 5 -10 things that I am grateful for. I also practice random acts of kindness. I complement strangers and if I see someone that needs help, I help them.

Walk, hike or go sit at the beach, nature and kids laughing will always make you smile.

Unplug, lose your phone on a Saturday. Have some fun and don't look at anything online, no news whatsoever.

Don't sweat the small stuff, control your emotions and find peace.
 
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