Feeling down? A little blue? Not quite yourself? I’ve found over the years that if I surround myself with upbeat people and happy thoughts, I’m happier. When I think on the negative and focus on the I wish, what if, life is hard thoughts; then life gets harder and darker.
Negative thoughts are like quicksand, one toe in and it starts sucking you down! The gooey, dark, cold mess grabs hold and seeps up. It moves through your limbs, up your spine and settles into your heart.
However, if you let go of the ugliness and focus on what is beautiful in your life, it WILL chase out the cold, darkness that is trying to take over. Whether you believe the bible or not, it says:
Philippians 4
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Think on those things that make you happy! You had a tough childhood, I get that. It doesn’t have to make you who you are. You are in control of that. Surround yourself with happy photos. If you don’t have many from your youth, take some now! Go to your favorite place and take pictures, pic the best and put them in frames, put them in albums, put them as a screen saver on your computer! Everywhere you look, you’ll see smiles!
If you sit and think on the ugliness, it will rule your life. I’m speaking from experience here, although I am not a doctor, I don’t have a degree in counseling and I’m not offering any kind of medical advice. What I am saying is that we all have stuff in our lives and in our past that can drag us down; me included. I was a young mom and although I was there for my kids, I did the very best I knew how to do and I gave them all of me, I was not an experienced parent and there are things I wish I could have changed. If I focus on that, I won’t be able to make it through a day.
Instead I choose to focus on what I’ve done right, what I enjoy, what brings me joy and bringing joy to others. When I’m feeling down, I scrapbook. I rejoice in my photos, in the memories and in the smiles looking up at me. I celebrate the happy times. I bask in the joy on my children’s faces! I am transported to a beautiful place. The cold moves back and the sun shines in.
Celebrate the happiness. I’m not saying stuff the sadness deep down and pretend it isn’t there. It is there. It does exist and it does hurt. I’m saying, don’t give it power over you. You get to choose what rules your life. Wake up in the morning and list the things you’re thankful for. Step out of the warm shower and be thrilled you have running water! Don’t gripe about the cold, rejoice in a warm vehicle! Don’t whine about the job! Embrace the fact you have a job! Don’t complain about your husband, be thankful for him. Don’t sulk about your childhood, accept it’s what has made you who you are. Throw open your arms, give yourself a hug, and step into the future.
I am glad to be alive, to be sharing with you and to God for my many blessings, but especially my love for writing 🙂