If it doesn’t—stop doing it.
…There just is no place for things like this in a life that lasts but a blink across the span of time.
Rise above the diminishing behaviors. Make your blink a damn good one.
Being optimistic doesn’t mean you have to be happy all of the time.
In fact, trying to be “happy all of the time” and denying or suppressing all other emotions is a great way to not be happy all of the time.
The real power of optimism comes to light when it’s strategically used to confront the heavier/ tougher emotions that undoubtedly will arise.
Because what optimism gives us is the assurance that things can be improved—that there’s hope for a better tomorrow. And it’s precisely what makes the confronting tolerable.
Much more tolerable than looking at the heavy/tough/hard emotions from a lens of pessimism and telling yourself that it’ll never get better… that it’s hopeless… that there’s no point.
Suffering is a reality. Trying to live as if it’s not is emotional avoidance. Calling emotional avoidance “positive thinking” is toxic for your mental wellbeing.
Deploying an optimistic perspective upon emotionally tough situations is the first, most-important step to solving/ improving upon any undesirable situation. Because it’s precisely what gives you the belief that the problem can actually be solved/ improved upon.
Pessimism won’t do that. Hopelessness won’t do that. Avoidance won’t do that.
And from that solid foundation of a hopeful future, you’ll be able to finally take the deliberate, patient action that’s required for any kind of change to take grip on reality.
Not so that you can be “happy all of the time,” but so that you can contribute all of the time to a better and more enjoyable future: for you, for me, for us.
P.s. In case you missed it, I shared the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week here.
“Don’t look back—you’re not going that way.”
I disagree.
Looking back is precisely what you need to do if you’re going to keep moving forward in your life.
I’m not saying to dwell. Nor am I saying you should only look back. But, another way to say “looking back” is to reflect.
And careful reflection is key to calibrating your internal compass. You know… the internal compass that tells you which direction is forward in the first place!
What many people don’t realize is that without a properly calibrated internal compass, forward is merely a guess. And guessing isn’t a good strategy for moving forward in life.
I say, look back; reflect carefully; learn from past experiences; become a strategic, forward-moving boss who utilizes insight from their past to expedite their journey forward.
And don’t ever let yourself assume that you know all there is to know about your past.
As you age, grow, mature—the lens through which you look at past experiences will change. And how you understand those experiences will need updating and revising accordingly.
This is why we should keep looking back—all throughout life.
Change the mantra from: “Don’t look back—you’re not going that way.”
To: “Look back occasionally; calibrate; ensure you’re going the right way.”
Read my full rant on this here: Everyone Who Says You Should Never Look Back Is Wrong
The more tired you are…
The LOUDER the excuses get.
Prioritize rest.
Even if more rest means less time.
Because more rest also means less wasted time.
And time wasted is the ultimate loss.
That big, tough problem you’re facing in your life right now?
There’s an answer for that.
And if you’ve spent more than 5 hours thinking about it (and to no avail on a solution)…
Might I suggest reading cover to cover a highly rated book that was created specifically to solve the exact problem you’re facing…?
It’s definitely out there.
And it’ll likely take you less than 5 hours to read.
Obsessed with it all That’s why I won’t settle Not until every nook And every cranny Of every day Is composed of moments I can’t wait to recall