making the mental shift to positivity

Yesterday, I made a quick trip into town to run a couple of errands and pick up a few things.  It was a beautiful fall day.  The sun was shining.  The leaves on the trees were starting to burst into glorious autumnal colours.  And in amongst all of this loveliness, do you know what I noticed?  A whole bunch of seriously grumpy faces.  There was not a smile to be seen when they were speaking with a cashier – if you could call the blunt, one word answers “speaking”.  Folks getting out of their cars with a scowl on their faces that could freeze the warmest hearts.  (photo is AI generated)

I get it – I acknowledge that some people may be having a truly dismal day.  I understand that the prices of just about everything have jumped dramatically.  I don’t like it either.  But this is not the fault of the store clerk.  A cranky attitude is just going to worsen the mood of everybody in proximity to that scowl!  I just don’t understand why anyone would want to spend days on end – in some cases their entire existence – being rude, cantankerous, snippy, short-tempered.  I can’t imagine it makes that person feel any better.  And those on the receiving end of that misery are more likely to be a little short-tempered in return. (photo is AI generated)

It's amazing to me how, if you are wondering about something, oftentimes the universe will send you an answer if you are open to receiving it.  Last night, I read posts from two friends.

The first friend spoke about how she used to get up early in the morning and take at least an hour to leisurely knit before starting her work day.  She found that it really helped with her mental health and established a good work ethic.  But, for the last year or so, she got out of this routine – sleeping later and then scrambling to get her day started.  She acknowledged that she now feels more temperamental, has a more negative outlook.  So she’s going to go back to her early morning knitting routine with the goal of giving herself (in her words) a “brain reboot”.
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The second friend was commenting on how, as a society, we place such an emphasis on our problems, our anxieties, our stressors.  In order for her to shift her thoughts to a more positive outlook, she kept a “happy thought journal” in which she jotted down one line that made her happy that day.  By placing the focus on joy and physically recording it in a journal rather than focusing on melancholy, anxiety or disappointments, her entire outlook in life became more positive.  It took some time and consistency, but she found it was worth it.

In my June blog, I wrote about “glimmers” – those tiny moments that bring joy if we take the time to simply experience them.  Having a more joyous outlook is hugely beneficial to both our mental and physical health.
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Life speeds by in the blink of an eye.  One day you’re in the first quarter of your life, dreaming of finishing school and moving into the perceived freedom of adulthood.  Then, in just a moment, you realize that you are approaching or are in the last quarter…..Life is not meant to be a trial.  There is beauty all around us.  Even in the darkest of days, there will be those who will reach out their hand to help.  October 10th was World Mental Health Day.  Let’s strive to make every day a positive mental health day.