Negativity is in the air.

Just turn on the news and watch it for a few minutes or simply talk to one of your friends or family members who will be sure to tell you the world is falling apart.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive in a negative world. Many of us are having challenges and obstacles we’ve never had to encounter in our lives before.  I know I am.  Are you?

If you answered “Yes”, then I’ve got a few suggestions for you that I’ve embraced myself to keep my thoughts uplifted in these challenging times:

Step 1: Take a “time-out” to Regroup. You especially need to take a time-out if you are having lots of challenges and obstacles in your life right now. The free dictionary gives a great explanation on what “Re-grouping” is: “To reorganize for renewed effort, as after a temporary setback.”

Willie Jollie, author and jingle writer was famous for saying, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” So right now you are being setup for a Comeback!  In order to clear you mind, take a day off.  That’s right — a whole day off!  Turn off the cell phone (at minimum) and if possible, the computer and all your technology gadgets and connections to the outside world and simply sit outside in nature.

I sat on my veranda this morning and watched the leaves fall, felt the warm breeze on my face, soaked up the sun’s rays and simply relaxed and let go. I cleared my schedule for the day. I meditated. I journaled. I regrouped. Give yourself this awesome gift and I promise you, you will have a new outlook on things when you come back.  **Remember what Einstein said:  “The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.”

Step 2: Remove the Energy Vampires from your life. You know who I mean…those negative friends, family members, co-workers, etc. who are trying to suck any positive thoughts you are having out of you. They often appear as “well-intentioned” folks, but that’s because you have something they want — a positive outlook. They want to feed on that like the vampire feeds on blood to survive. Limit your time with these people. Tell them you’re busy. Don’t feed into the negativity because that will kill your positive thoughts.

Step 3: Create a New Story.  Take a snapshot of your life as it is right now.  Actually sit down and write at least 1 page of what your life looks like and the challenges you are going through.

Then I want you to sit down and “re-write your story.”   That’s right…Create a brand new story using the challenges and obstacles in your life as stepping stones to greater awareness, learning and to achieving your dreams.  Write your “new” story as if your “future” self is telling a story to a friend (or an audience) and embrace the experience you had to go through to achieve the learning and the goal.

I hope this helps you stay positive!  I am working on my new story today and I encourage you to do the same.  In fact, feel free to send me your “new story” when you have it written.  I’d love to share it with others on my BLOG as a way to inspire people keep positive even when things are looking dim.  Remember, we only need faith as small as a mustard seed.  I know we can all muster up a mustard seeds’ worth of FAITH!