Okay, this may appear to be a rant and if so, hopefully it will get a little stress out of my system. But my reason to share is what I am learning from the experience even though I wish I wasn’t having to go through this process. Maybe it will help you too.
We have been in a lawsuit for about two years now with the company that was supposed to repair and replace our roof. I won’t go into details, but it’s been a very frustrating, long and expensive process that I would not wish on anyone. It has been wearing, upsetting and victimizing as I often feel like we don’t have control. And as much as I try to restrain myself, I have a pull to be in control of most everything.
My personality is impatient. I drive Jim crazy with my need to have things done and completed. It’s been important to watch myself during the past two years because the entire process can be overwhelming, disturbing and depressing. It has been easy to find myself in a very negative space and I want to be in a positive place.
To keep myself from spiraling into the negative abyss, I work on cultivating a positive mindset of gratitude. I look at all the right things we have done, the happiness we create, the fun in our life and the strengths we have. I remind myself of all the good in life. Our health, family, and friends.
According to Psychology Today, researchers have proposed that a positive mindset is found in our thoughts, beliefs, values and attitudes, which are a factor in well-being. This type of mindset includes happiness, confidence, motivation, and optimism. It also can be feelings of control, acceptance, resilience, gratitude, mindfulness, integrity and stability. To cultivate this type of mindset, a focus needs to be on strengths. Most often, we are doing the opposite and thinking about what is wrong and second guessing. This shift in focus to our strengths can help with a feeling of confidence.
You may be like me and have a pessimistic bias where it’s easy to focus on the negative. Practice on shifting your thoughts to the positive. Doing this may not be easy, but you can do things that break the cycle. Try changing your thoughts by working on things you enjoy. For example, working in your garden, developing a new hobby, reading, or even just taking a cold shower. Other things you can practice are finding gratitude and mindfulness daily while providing yourself with positive self-talk.
So, what kind of positive attitude am I talking about? How about not pitching a fit when things don’t go your way? Or enjoying the unexpected even if it’s not what you planned. Getting back up when you fall or fail. Finding the good in every situation. Using the power of a smile. All powerful stuff that I work to incorporate into my life which is not always easy.
According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers are continuing to find the benefits of cultivating a positive mindset. Significant benefits like reduced stress, improved mental health, increased resilience, better relationships, enhanced problem-solving abilities, improved physical well-being, longer life span, better resistance to illnesses and a greater sense of happiness and life satisfaction; essentially, it allows you to approach challenges with optimism and confidence, leading to a more fulfilling life.
It’s unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.
I envy people who naturally cultivate positive vibrations. Practicing more is on my agenda. I have learned the opposite is unhelpful and unhealthy. Mahatma Gandhi’s advice is what I plan to follow to work towards developing a positive atmosphere in my life.
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become YOUR WORDS.
Keep your words positive because your words become YOUR BEHAVIOR
Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes YOUR HABITS
Keep your habits positive because your habits become YOUR VALUES
Keep your values positive because your values become YOUR DESTINY. “
― Mahatma Gandhi
Robin Anne Griffiths, E-RYT 200, YACEP * Behavioral Change Specialist * Yoga Instructor * Meditation Facilitator * Personal Trainer * Author * Speaker *
