There is good in life, and sometimes we have to remind ourselves of that particularly when we come up against some not-so-good events. To cheer on positivity takes deliberate actions at times. As I think about this today, I want to promote these actions.
Naysayers and hurtful folks
You will encounter naysayers and hurtful folks throughout life, and it's good to be prepared for them. For me, I want to be direct, kind, and as positive as possible in the face of negativity and hurtful words. None of us have to accept poor behavior, but we can also work to counter that and perhaps, change the discourse to be more positive with deliberate, thoughtful responses.
Similarly we can counter hurtful, hateful behavior with deliberate positive responses by cheering on the good and being kindly direct and disproving of the hurtful, harmful actions in our midst.
Build rather than destroy
Find ways in life to create good rather than destroy the good that exists or is possible. What can you do in your midst to build rather than destroy? Keep that mindset alive as you choose your paths.
Be glad for others rather than envious
Quite some time ago, I came up with the phrase, When you play the compare game, no one wins. The phrase came to me when my children were young and naturally comparing their circumstances and opportunities with those of their friends and siblings. In life, our opportunities will never be exactly even, but over time, for the most part, I believe that people's positive opportunities result in about the same amount. I've watched my friends and relatives move through life with mixes of wonderful opportunities and events and their fair share of struggle too. There's no one that I can point to that has a great deal more of struggle or strength than another though the struggles and strengths that people have differ quite a bit. With this in mind, we have to take stock of our gifts and graces often so we don't forget the good in our lives, and with similar attention we have to recognize the challenges, challenges that often humble and frustrate us, but challenges we can work to embrace, learn from, and at times, defeat.
Contribute to the common good
Find ways in life to contribute to the common good. There's nothing better than working on a team that is creating a positive experience, event, place or opportunity for others. Those efforts enrich our lives in amazing ways.
Be forgiving of ourselves and others
In life, we will make mistakes, and rather than perseverate on those errors, it's good to be forgiving to ourselves and others with regard to life's mistakes. The best forgiveness comes by way of action that restores faith, connection, and love. And as we all know, mistakes are great teachers if we allow that to happen.
No one is superhuman
I write this often since so many of us hold very high expectations of ourselves and others, but none of us are all powerful, all good, or all knowing--we have to accept the fact that we are human, not superhuman, and with that comes an inability to do all things as we wish.
