It’s easy to be in good spirits when life is going great. Positivity abounds! You feel like you can conquer the world. And why not? You should always put your best step forward, strive for excellence, and go for that dream!
Yes, dreaming is good. It fuels the spirit…and when you have BIG dreams, the last thing you want is to be surrounded by negative people. Let’s refer to these people as “Debbie Downer” and Kevin Killjoy”. Do you have these people in your life right now? I realize some of these Debbie Downers and Kevin Killjoys may be our very own family members and friends.
Did you notice that it’s easy to doubt yourself when you’re not feeling positive vibes from the people around you? Ideally, friends and family should be supportive, but that doesn’t always happen. You cannot control how people think OR react to your dreams.
Here are 3 pieces of advice to keep your spirits bright:
1) Think about the consequences if you don’t pursue it
Are you going to keep saying “someday, I’m going to start that business” or “someday, I will go back to school and finish my degree”.
When will that someday be? Don’t wait till you’re lying on your death bed and regretting why you never got around to doing it. We’re not saying that things will be “smooth sailing” when you start to pursue it because it’s going to take some significant work on your part to succeed. However, the point is you need to have the courage to “get the ball rolling”, allowing yourself to fail, because there will be obstacles. You need to give it your all.
Which of these 2 phrases sounds positive: “I tried my best” OR “I should have tried”. Obviously, the first phrase is more positive since it indicates that there was some initiative. Remember, it’s better to have tried than never to have tried at all.
2) Take Care of Your Health
Physical and mental stress can take a toll on you. It’s important to take care of your physical self by eating more whole foods, less processed food, drinking clean water and exercising. Your physical health significantly impacts how you feel, and when you feel good, you have an easier time coping with the Debbie Downers and Kelvin Killjoys in your life. Another tip to maintain your health (as well as your sanity) is to get enough sleep. When you’re well-rested, not only are you more productive, but you’re in a better mood and less irritable. When your body is able to recharge, you improve your mental and emotional health allowing you to cope with negativity.
3) Practice a Life of Gratitude & Faith
Having faith in a higher power boosts your health on a very deep level. It gives you a sense of peace when you go through tough times. Incorporating a spiritual practice can help you overcome your fears and doubts especially when people dampen your spirits.
While it’s easy to remember the bad things that happened during your day, make it a daily habit to count your blessings. Answer these 3 questions:
“Were you able to eat 3 full meals today?”
If yes, count yourself lucky…some people can’t even eat 1 full meal a day
“Did you enjoy the music playing on the radio?”
If yes, you are blessed. That means your sense of hearing is good.
“Do you have clean running water in your house?”
If yes, what a convenience. You can cook with it, bathe in it and drink it whenever you need it.
These are some things that we can easily take for granted. Can you imagine living without these blessings?
