I am lying on my bed; tears flow, my heart feels heavy, my mind remembers each of my challenges. I can’t seem to shake it.
With everything I’ve learned about positive thinking, I worry that my state of negativity has ruined any chance of success. I feel like I should give up now and resign myself to a life of misery.
Being terribly worried that I had uprooted my prosperity plant with my pessimistic disposition, I learned something that illuminated my bad temper.
I hadn’t been in my garden for a while. I thought that since it had not been watered, everything would have died and when I got there, sure enough, looked as if withering under the scorching heat of the southwestern summer sun. I turned on the water system.
Slowly I watched as the parched plants took on water. In doing so, the leaves expanded, adding shade to the roots.
I realized while looking at my plants that we ALL go through droughts of an emotional magnitude at times. We just don’t have what it takes to stay positive 100% of the time. Even Pollyanna had a bout with negativity! I know that many people worry that their negativity will prevent them from achieving their life goals.
I want you to know that your chances of success are not gone forever, far from it! You see, while you were going through this drought of optimism, this emotional low tide, your roots had to grow deep to sustain you. When you are once again fueled with the right emotional state and prosperous outlook, your plant, your life goals, will come back to life stronger and healthier than before.
It’s important to recognize that we all go through times when it’s easier to harbor negative thoughts. This is a natural and normal part of life.
How can we get through these tough times? How can we make them shorter?
First of all, having faith that we will pull through, even if we are down, will go a long way. You can know that life has an ebb and flow. Part of the fun of a roller coaster is its thrilling downhill runs. To get down, you have to climb through the long and tedious climb. But you know, at the top is the thrill of why you got on that ride in the first place. And life will turn to moments when being positive becomes easy and exciting. Enjoy the ride and be thankful for it!
Now, how can we shorten those times of negativity? Have an ample supply of positive literature on hand and take time to read it. Keep a gratitude journal of all the things you are grateful for. Look at the trials other people are going through and find ways to ease their burdens. Pray for comfort and peace. Daydream about your ideal future life.
As I moved forward in faith and armed with tips to change my mood, my positive thinking droughts dwindled from weeks to days and days to moments.
Remember, just because you’re feeling negative doesn’t mean all your dreams have dried up, they’re still there waiting to be watered.
