I had been an adult for a long time before I was willing to take responsibility for my emotions, perceptions and decisions. Are our parents so caught up in the power of parenting that they don't teach us to to be the captain of out own adventure? No one ever told me as a child I could control my responses. I had the hardest struggle with realizing that no one could hurt my feelings unless I let them. I still struggle with that, even though I accept it as truth.
It makes any day more welcoming to know that you can control how you will feel. You are quality-control in your day, all day, everyday! I don' think I worried about happiness and being positive when I was young. It didn't seem in short supply. After all life was full of firsts. There were just grand canyons full of things to look forward to. There was a minimal amount of responsibility lightly shaken with the bliss of ignorance and topped with youth and a side helping of time and endless possibilities.
Fast forward to 40 or 50, not to many firsts left, but there are a few. The excitement of looking forward is a little tarnished with "been there, done that". Responsibility sits on your shoulders like an oxens' yoke. The fact is you aren't young. You are younger than some, but not young. Everything including possibilities has an end in sight on the other side of 40 and more so for every year after. Right? Wrong, here's where you choose. I'm not talking cups half empty or full, either. Youth trumps age is a perception promoted by media. And I strongly disagree.
If you heard a song you didn't like you change it. A boring conversation will have you excusing yourself and not returning. Invitations from people you don't enjoy will be declined. So choose to embrace your life at any phase, reject pessimism, reject fear. Change your frequency.
Start with gratitude and start that way everyday. Flip every negative to a positive. There is a positive in everything, look for it; it's there. Keep your thoughts positive and your words kind and supportive. Think and speak about the things you love, often and with passion.
Do not speak about other people in a negative way. You want to align yourself with loving and thankful thoughts and actions to start the shift. Learn to laugh at things that might have upset you before. Your health will thank you for this. If you are thankful everyday for everything about yourself including the things that aren't your favorites you will you will know you are of great value.
elle
Later .......a gratitude poem for kids and resisting the urge to take offense......
