Happiness, joy, optimism during crisis

Boredom, fear, uncertainty, stress, despair, sadness, joy, and so many more emotions are dominating our lives today. We are so wrapped up in all of the bad news, disheartening updates, and fear that we might forget to allow the good things we feel to shine through. How often is the old cliche' of "things will be better soon," used to encourage us to navigate an unpleasant or unfortunate situation? Most of the time people don't know what to say when someone they care about is hurting emotionally, so we opt for common sayings. Words of wisdom are rarely well received when one is distraught or in pain. Also, it is not always easy to separate ourselves from the occurrence to think rationally, or react in a better way. To have optimism about things turning out better that we have not experienced before, or cannot predict about, is not simple. Having a positive attitude and thinking things through with rationale, are extremely effective in having a better result. Just how does one begin to do this when our common reactions are so impulsive and instilled in us? I will recommend a few things that you could try, to help.

First of all, we need to keep ourselves from getting bored with our lives. Right now it is very easy to create boredom, since we are mostly confined to the perimeter of our dwellings. Exercise, of course, is being recommended for everyone that can do it, even a little. Activity of any kind is usually beneficial to us in numerous ways. Sedentary lifestyles tend to put us more at risk of diseases, and of getting bored. Whenever we are feeling tedious, or unmotivated, or stuck in a rut, we can find it difficult to see the good in life. Joy is a choice believe it or not. One can choose to have joy, or to focus on the more unpleasant side of things. We know well that you can't always control what happens to you, but you can always control how you react to it. Many of our reactions to things are learned behavior. Think about it, how often do you answer "I'm fine," when someone asks "how are you?" You may be sad, upset, or feeling sick even, and you still answer that way because everyone does. Besides when someone asks you that, do you think they really want you to unload all of your pains and concerns? No. The asking "how are you," is also a learned behavior. A reaction is something to be tamed if possible. We can always take a better path with our response to stimulus if we can just control impulse. Easier said than done, I know.

Shifting the discussion a bit to lean back towards positive thinking, I mentioned in an earlier post that we can bring a better type of energy to ourselves and our surroundings by having a good outlook on things. Here comes the cliche'. We must see the silver lining of each dark cloud. As much as that is an eye-rolling comment, it holds it's value in it's message. We can look at things with a positive connotation rather than a negative one. That is a choice. Staying optimistic about the best scenario, outcome, or course of action will sway the energy in a good direction versus the opposite.

By staying positive, and surrounding yourself with others that think alike, a renewed energy can be achieved. Some people just seem to go to "worst scenario" conclusions automatically. Unfortunately, this is the way a majority of people end up leaning. The same way that energy can be kept low and negative by assuming the worst, positive energy can replace the negative by assuming the best. It takes an effort though. We are not fortunate enough to have God righting our course with everything all the time. Yes it would be nice, but we must assist God in helping us, it doesn't happen without our contribution. Believe it or not, when we profess to be happy or happier, it sways things in that direction. You can simply write down every morning in a journal that you are happy and shall strive to continue to be happier, and it will bring the good energy your way. It really does work. Also, thinking happy thoughts like of your family, your kids, your pets, or even less pleasantly desired things like work and exercise, can allow your mind to be better prepared for adversity. When the misfortune presents itself, we can shift the energy to something uplifting by considering our reaction. Focusing on the big picture can sometimes bring levity or better comprehension of an occurrence, rather than seeing the bad in what happened. We may not see sometimes that life can be serendipitous, and not always manipulated or patterned.

When you want and need to feel happiness, do you think God gives you happiness? Or do you think he gives you the opportunity to feel happiness? This is from a movie, and you all probably can guess which one, but it is very true. Like when you do something that makes someone else feel good, it reciprocates, and you too feel good. Take this opportunity, as you are discovering things you never knew about where you live with all this time we are spending at home, to seek out the joy in your life. We can focus on the things that make us feel good all the time, and expand on it. Do not allow yourself to stack up too many negative thoughts or feelings that may stray your focus to always looking at the bad in things. Like I said, this takes work on our part. You will be waiting at the station for eternity if you really believe happiness will arrive in your life one day uninvited. We make happiness, we choose happiness, it is not a birth right, nor a gift. We have fought for centuries for our right to make our own lives, and choices in this country. We must prosper in making the right choices, at least where joy is concerned, so we can bring optimism to the forefront of our lives. There is a lot of good in the world, as there is bad, but it's your choice which part of the pie you want on your plate. Blessings and joy to all of you always.