Tag Archives: Positive Thinking
The stress that comes from navigating the challenges of everyday life is at times overwhelming. Trying to balance work and family responsibilities with personal well being is not an easy task. If you’re like me, you may feel pulled in too many directions and not able to accomplish the simplest task. I am especially prone to feelings of anxiety and depression, which interfere with my happiness and well-being. Even though I am blessed in so many ways, I lose my perspective when battling those negative thoughts and feelings. Over time, thankfully, I have been able to cultivate a spiritual toolbox that has helped me through these difficult periods. If you find yourself falling into that negative space, here are five steps you can try to help you reignite your sense of joy.
1. Reconnect with the natural world.
Whether you live at the edge of a desert, along the coast, or are surrounded by farmland, there is beauty everywhere. However, not everyone has the luxury of living a stone’s throw from a beach or other scenic locale. Sometimes you need to look at your little corner of the world with a fresh perspective. Even a balcony, your own backyard or a neighborhood park can bring you closer to nature and shift your energy in a positive direction. Living in the Valley of the Sun, summertime is not exactly conducive to spending time outdoors, but even a short interlude outside in the early morning hours, at sunset, or under a moonlit sky, can do wonders for your soul.
2. Find a moment for quiet reflection and prayer.
Take a moment to be mindful of where you are and what you’re feeling, both the good and the bad. Then release any negativity to Spirit. By seeking help from a heavenly source, we are allowing ourselves to give and receive love from a power higher than ourselves. A moment of prayer can remind you of all the beautiful blessings in your life. Even challenges may serve as a catalyst for positive change, so take time to give thanks for being given the full spectrum of human experience. This may be challenging to do, especially if you’re in the midst of a painful situation. However, there is a loving presence with you at all times ready to shoulder your burdens and share in your journey. With faith, your resiliency will grow and the promise of a new beginning will be within reach.
3. Devote some time to physical activity.
I must confess I could be more diligent in this regard, but this past year we joined the local recreation center in our community and we are exercising more frequently. I love the indoor walking/jogging path for those days when it’s too hot during our summer months to be outside for an extended period of time. When I exercise, I can feel the muscles that were once clenched in the pit of my stomach release and my mood begins to shift. However, belonging to a gym may not always be financially feasible or the environment you live in not always safe for taking a walk or going for a jog. Any form of physical activity allows you to shift your focus away from what’s causing you distress. Turning on the music and dancing, working in the garden, or even simply doing housework are all opportunities for movement and release. If nothing else, standing up and taking a few minutes to stretch out and breathe may help you to regain your footing.
4. Engage in a favorite activity.
Reserving time in your week to pursue a favorite activity can provide a much needed balance to work and the responsibilities associated with adult life. Your schedule may not allow you time on a daily basis to pursue your favorite hobby. However, blocking out time for activities that bring you joy at least once a week will give you something to look forward to. Creative pursuits ranging from photography to scrap booking can be a much needed release. Also, creating opportunities for discovery, such as learning a new skill or traveling to a new destination, can help restore your sense of joy and enthusiasm for life.
5. Allow others to help you.
Father and Son
Perhaps you have tried every spiritual strategy you know and still your sense of joy remains allusive. Having the strength to allow another to see you at your weakest is a difficult step to take. However, there may come a point when the burden you carry inside is too much for you to bear alone. Loving, healthy relationships with family and friends can help ease feelings of isolation, sadness, or despair. By seeking the help of a loved one or friend, you may begin to see what’s been troubling you from a different perspective. There is also no shame in seeking professional help. Sometimes a trained, objective ear is what is needed to help you shift your thinking and move forward in a positive direction.
Though we are each uniquely wired to respond to situations differently, we share a collective need to experience joy and peace within our lives. I pray that if you are hurting, you will find positive outlets to release that negativity, so that you can embrace your life with a renewed sense of joy.