WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

I’m looking at trying to be positive - in a pandemic, isolated, and (a bit) frustrating world!!

Time-out.  I’m writing as a retired woman - living alone.  I can only imagine how tough this pandemic can be on a family with children.  My Nebraska family has three children that can’t really play with their friends, can’t do much other than going to school and home.  A local family has a young teenager (I think 14) who has been described to me as very social, and he is largely stuck in his room - playing computer games, and interacting with his friends.  I am thinking of the stress that might be with an elderly couple who can’t see their children or grandchildren other than through online means like Facetime, Google Chats, or others.  Unless their marriage is really strong, after almost eleven months of isolation, they might be tired of each other!!!

I find that I wake-up eager and ready for the day - but by late afternoon, I’m drained.  My motivation and positivity from the morning seems to have died away 

*****

From: https://www.melyssagriffin.com/15-tips-for-being-positive/

Many of Melyssa’s tips are redundant, but let’s look at them:

1. Listen to music that gives off the same mood you want to be in. 

2, Eat Healthily

3. Make a sunshine file or box

4. Surround yourself with positive influences.

5. Practice positivity. 

6. Set Goals

7. Challenge negative thoughts with positive ones.

8. Smile

9. Get a pet

10, Share your issues

11. Make your home a positive place to be

12. Ask yourself – does this really matter? 

13. Encourage others.

14. Focus on the problems in your life.

15. Remember, it’s all you.

Let’s look at a few of these.

#1 - Music.  I maybe sounded as if I only listen to my classical music, but I have an oldies playlist (even includes the James Box theme); a Beatles playlist (with upbeat rock tunes); and a Showtunes playlist - with music from the Wizard of Oz, Camelot, Phantom of the Opera, Showboat, Oklahoma (Oh what a beautiful morning), and other similar tunes.

#3 - Make a sunshine file or box.  Maybe you have Christmas Cards, or letters that are positive - store them away and bring them out when you are down and depressed to raise your spirits

#9 - Get a pet.  I know a lot of single people who have pets.  One in particular talks to her dog as if she is a princess.  She has treats (that she allows me to give to her dog when I visit).  While I don’t have a pet, I sense that dogs are more people-oriented than cats.  I have a friend who has two cats and she is happy that she doesn’t have to get outside when it is cold or rainy to walk a dog.  The friend who treats her dog like a princess is a little overweight, and she views walking the dog as an exercise for her to get out of her apartment.

#10 Share your issues.  I’m now a life-coach and I’d love to hear you present your issues and thoughts.  Getting something off your chest is important.  Sharing is caring!!!

 

#11 Make your home a positive place.  I’ve mentioned my positive post-it notes.  If my eyes are open, I almost ‘have’ to see a positive note as I look around my apartment.  From my desk I see my large “Love Wins” poster, my “Be transformed by the renewing of your Mind” poster, and a poster I retired from the dumpster “Not always sunny, but always a sunny state of mind”.  

#12 Does this really matter?  In the long scheme of things is a particular issue significant and of lasting importance?  Of, is the issue a passing problem - that in a couple of weeks will disappear.

#15 Remember, it is all you.

The REAL important thing is YOU - you get to choose to be happy, or you choose to be upset.  A couple of friends were talking about the jerk driver who is weaving in-and-out of traffic - changing lanes quickly.  I told them my version - “He was just called and his wife is in the hospital and their first baby is going to come any minute and he wants to be there for the delivery”; or version #2.  “He just got a call, his mother is not expected to live another hour, but if he gets to the hospital in twenty minutes he’ll have time to say ‘goodbye’ and give her a kiss before she dies.’

*****

Another factor for me.

I get negative if I am tired.  Just before my afternoon nap, I am cranky, but after my ten to fifteen-minute nap, I’m as sweet as always!!  (You get to think if that is true).  If I have a tough decision to make, that nap does help my reasoning ability.  (Okay, true confessions - I’ve been known to take a nap - even at 7:00 p.m. - if I’m getting really tired, but don’t want to go to bed so really early!!!

*****

I know I can get down and depressed - and I might have to work on it to get positive!!

How do you get over the ‘blues’?

LOVE WINS!!

HUGS!!

Karen