Choices.
Our lives are packed full of options.
The power to choose can be liberating; we have the ability to shape our destiny.
Yet sometimes we’d rather not have a choice. Have you ever said, “there are just too may options!” At times we just want to take the easy route without even thinking about… well, anything.
Sometime we don’t even think there is a choice. We just do what comes most naturally and often that is to be negative. But according to Ian Dury and the Blockheads in their 1979 single, we all have many “reasons to be cheerful”.
Whilst on tour in Europe one of the band’s roadies was involved in a near-fatal accident. A short-circuit in the electrical system caused a microphone stand to become electrified and the roadie had to be saved by one of his colleagues. Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3, which is a list of reasons to be cheerful (could you guess that?!), was written in the band’s hotel during the aftermath of the accident.
The more you focus on negative things the more you’ll grow your negative emotions: fear, anger, resentment. Conversely, as you focus on the positive things in your life your positive emotions will flourish. You’ll have more contentment, joy and hope.
So this leaves us with a challenge. Instead of dwelling on the negatives that seem to bombard us, can we find something favourable to focus on? After all, the do say that every cloud has a sliver lining.
At times the positives of a situation (or an event or a person) may be obvious as soon as we look for them. If they’re not it may require some extra effort and will-power to find a reason to be grateful. Being positive takes practice.
Practising positivity also means controlling what comes out of your mouth.
Instead of moaning or complaining about the things that aren’t going the way you want, remind yourself of the many things that are going your way. Today, choose to be thankful for all the good things, and people, in your life.
