We don’t need to be Pollyanna to rejoice in all we have.
I’m usually more of an optimist than a pessimist, but it’s been a challenge these days.
It’s been over two years of Covid, and we finally seem to be making headway, masks mandates have been lifted, and people generally are feeling more positive that life may begin to return to “normal.”
But, wait — you mean Covid cases are rising yet again? Indeed, they are. Blessedly, hospitalizations for those sick are on the decline. I suppose we can thank our vaccinations for that bit of sunshine.
Now the tragedy in Ukraine has grabbed our attention and our hearts. It seems impossible that one narcissistic maniacal man can level such catastrophic devastation on innocent people. We are helpless to stop him.
Inflation is rising out of control, spiking gas prices, and food and other necessities are increasing to all-time highs.
A suggestion
What now? What do we do individually to keep our spirits up?
Do we wake every day and wonder — what else will happen today?
Rev. Edwene Gaines, a 40-year minister with Unity Church, sends me uplifting notes monthly.
I love her and her neverending hopefulness.
Not only does she have a sharp wit, but Rev. Gaines shares her optimism, joy, and love of God with anyone who will listen.
Here are a few of the affirming statements she sent to me this week:
- I now let up, let go, and let in love of life.
- I now choose to lighten up and laugh a lot.
- Life is fun, and I opt for joy now.
- I am filled to overflowing with gratitude.
- Life conspires to make me happy.
Yes, we can choose to let go, lighten up, laugh a lot and be grateful. All of these are options that will bring us peace.
A few more:
- I love myself and every aspect of my life.
- Life conspires to make me happy.
- I love to play.
- I choose to enjoy my life, my circumstances, my work, my home, my environment, my family, and all my friends.
The awful, frightening happenings of the world will continue regardless of whether we attempt to live according to the above affirmations. However, don’t you feel more powerful by voicing these statements?
Don’t you feel a tad more optimistic? I sure do.
Experiment
Try taking one statement a day and focusing your attention on that one and see what happens.
Today I selected “I love myself and every aspect of my life.”
I was feeling grumpy as it was grocery shopping day, which is far from my favorite chore.
I made myself take a second look — looking in the mirror; I repeated: “I love myself.” It took a few times for this to sink in.
I always assumed I did love myself, but expressing it aloud brought tears to my eyes — tears of joy.
Had I forgotten that I did, indeed, love myself?
Next up — “and every aspect of my life.” How blessed I am to have the money to be able to shop for groceries when millions of people worldwide go to bed hungry every single day.
That was a wake-up call, and I felt ashamed to even gripe about having to do the shopping.
Get the idea?
Affirmations are not new. They’ve been around for decades. I recall inventing declarations when attempting to reach a goal in my thirties.
The difference with these affirmations is to remind us how blessed we are. Sure, we still have trials and challenges — that’s part of life.
Yet gratitude and stating all the positives we have been blessed with will surely make for a happier, dare I say — more joyful day?
Rejoice in all the good in your life — and you will reap the rewards.
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