Pay Attention to the Positives
Having a positive attitude obviously makes a big difference in life. Less obviously, one reason why is because it helps you be more resilient. If you believe in your heart of hearts that things will probably turn out okay, you will be less downcast during times of misfortune. A bad event will seem less like a disaster and more like just a new thing that you will get through.
Every moment of every day, there are positive and negative factors at work, inside us and in our environment. But it is somehow easier to pay attention to the negatives.
Artist: Nick Seluk
Paying attention to positives is a conscious choice to re-orient your brain. It involves recognizing them, inventorying them, using them, talking about them, being actively grateful for them. Making those choices more often, on a moment-to-moment basis, leads to greater resilience and improved mental health.
My classes over the next few weeks will help you pay attention to the positives in your life. Such as:
Amazing things your body does that you normally never think about
Your ancestors and the great qualities they modeled for you
Your own past successes
Your ability to turn frustration into fascination
A particular highlight will be Saturday October 14, when we will recognize the excellence and perseverance of our ancestors and inventory the strengths that helped them succeed. “Ancestors” don't have to be blood family necessarily. They can be anyone older than you, living or dead, who is a role model for you. Teachers, neighbors, older colleagues, anyone who really inspires you is fair game.
But every class during this period will help you choose, moment to moment, to pay attention to the positives.
