I get asked that all the time. We’ve been through a lot, but I believe everyone has their own cross to bear. You never know what struggles someone else is going through. Here are some ways to keep your head in the game. To just keep swimming…
Look for the Positive – A big thing that will help is looking for the positive in situations. I’m not talking about everything happens for a reason kind of thing, but focus on the good. After James was shot, when people heard the story they would say “I guess this has really shown you how terrible people can be.” And we would reply, “actually it’s shown us how amazing people can be.” One bad person shot James, probably 100 people helped us after the fact. James chose not to be angry at the shooter because he knew that would only hurt him. That’s looking for the positives and not focusing on the negatives.
So how do you do it on a regular basis? How do you stay positive in spite of sometimes terrible things that come our way?
Get Inspired – Listen to things that inspire you and motivate you. I like podcasts like Entrepreneurs and Coffee, How I Built This, Tim Ferris and Tony Robbins.
Chose the right Soundtrack for your life – Listen to music that uplifts you. Sure there are songs that make me cry, that remind me of terrible times or people I’ve lost, I avoid them. I’m not saying I never mourn, but you don’t need those things to stop you in your tracks.
Feed the Beast – Eat fairly healthy. Did you know that sugar can cause depression in people? So it doesn’t help when you eat a pint of ice cream when you are having a rough day.
Thank Your Lucky Stars! – Take time to remind yourself what you are thankful for. Sometimes you do this through a gratitude journal, sometimes you can just talk it out. Here’s a challenge for you – for the rest of the month, post every day on Facebook something that you are thankful for.
Supplement Your Life – Take supplements. Take a B vitamin, Take D especially in the winter, if things are extra bad maybe take some St. Johns Wort.
Like Bruce LeeRoy, I Got the Glow – I Workout! Did you see Legally Blonde? ‘Exercise releases endorphins, endorphins make people happy and happy people don’t kill their husbands’, they just don’t. I’m sure I exercise more than most people and probably more than people would recommend, but it’s honestly one of my favorite things to do. It makes me feel better and it makes me feel strong and empowered and confident – that carries over to the rest of my life.
Dodododododo Breaking News! – I don’t watch the news. I know that kills some of you, but I don’t want all that negativity. It doesn’t do me a bit a good. And I ignore all the negativity on social media.
Squad Goals – Surround yourself with positive people. Was it Zig Ziglar that says you are a product of the 5 people you spend the most time with? I believe that. Make sure that the people that you spend your time with and that you let influence you are positive people. You can’t be afraid to clean house. I’ve had to do it several times in my life. I heard it once like I’m climbing up the mountain and I’ll take you with me, but as soon as you start tugging on the rope and trying to bring me down, I’m going to cut it.
Be Creative – Take time to do creative things, whether that’s crafting or cooking or for me, marketing! I always call it my adult form of coloring. Maybe it’s building something, woodworking, painting, building websites, making videos. I think creating something is good for the soul and I think it’s what we as humans are meant to do. Creating things is how we grow and expand our minds!
Lend a Helping Hand – Help others. It’s important to be part of a rising tide that raises all ships. Volunteer, help a friend, give someone guidance, be a shoulder to cry on. Just do something for others.
Doing these things are a big part of what will keep you positive and keep you moving in the right direction. Now you just have to know what direction that is…