I have been finding it hard to write lately. A part of myself has felt frozen in time after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Although outwardly I have been moving forward and on, there is still a part of me so sad and broken over the horror. But I need to write to cope and to let out my thoughts and emotions. There will be a sadness for a long time but I am learning that even though there is sadness and heartache, there is also joy and I need to expend at least as much energy on the joy.
So, being that it is a new year and all that, I have decided to set my focus on finding and feeling my joy wherever I can. I recently went back to therapy because I have been struggling with the dark, cold fingers of depression and anxiety trying to take hold and drag me down. And just as always happens when I start back up therapy, I get schooled on my negative thinking.
Honestly my mind can craft a web of negatively around virtually anything, even something that would look to a normal person as a positive. It’s a gift, or rather, a bloody curse.
I have been actively trying to root out and stomp out my Negative Nancy tendencies and replace them with positive statements, what ifs, things like that. I even checked out a book from library written by the Dalai Lama himself to work on focusing on the positive.
No joke, I am kicking my negativity to the curb.
And, in the process, finding joy where I should have known it always was … right in front of me. Surrounding me everywhere.
I just always had my negative shades on while looking.
So this year will be a journey of finding my joy in the everyday things. Changing my negative thoughts into positive ones.
I figured I have spent so many years wasting my energy on worry, regret, sadness, anger and fear. If I spent even just a fraction of that energy on sending out positive vibes to the universe and finding the joy around me, I would be so much better off. So that is what I intend to do. No more “I can’t”. Everything is “I can”, “I will”, “I am”.
Love this! I tend to get negative pretty easily too. I need to bring it back to the positive!
Kimberly recently posted..I am allergic to exercise
Twitter: acctodenise
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You can do it!
Sounds like something I need to do as well!
Shell recently posted..Best of the Year (Link-up)
Twitter: acctodenise
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We all could probably stand to find more joy
Twitter: katbiggie
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Hey I followed you back from the link up. I struggle with many of the same issues. I had to look around me and realize that I was feeding myself a bunch of negative stuff as well with the types of shows I watched, people I spent time with, books I read. Sometimes you have to make a change there as well. But sounds like you have a great plan, and I know I feel better when I’m focusing on being happy!
Alexa recently posted..Mission of the Month
Twitter: acctodenise
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Ah true the shows and books and stuff can leak in negativity too. I cut it so many shows that just brought me down.
Twitter: fiercedivablog
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What a great journey to be on! Last year or two years ago, I took out everything the library had by HH the Dalia Lama. They are a great way to recharge for the positive!
ilene recently posted..Finding The Fire
Twitter: acctodenise
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It really is such positive stuff.
Twitter: cmckane
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Changing our perception can really be like taking off a pair of negative glasses that’s a great example! Keep it up
c @ annuary chit recently posted..31 at 31 Bucket List Check in
Twitter: acctodenise
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Maybe even visualizing removing the negative shades will help me too!
How wonderful that you are journeying to embrace joy and find the positive. I think this world could use all of it we can give. Now I want to look up some of the Dalai Lama’s writings, too.
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Hobbit Captains, Not of Middle Earth
Twitter: acctodenise
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No doubt the world needs more positive vibes all around. The Dalai Lama writings are really good. I wish I had started reading them much sooner.
Twitter: jdhonestmom
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Hi there. Found you through Shell’s linkup. I, too, deal with depression. Good for you, thinking positive! I have a hard time doing that. I can also be a negative nelly and when I’m down, I find it really tough to see the positive stuff.
JD @ Honest Mom recently posted..My 2-word New Year’s Resolution may sound simplistic. But it’s not.
Twitter: acctodenise
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It is really tough and you have to constantly remind yourself. I have conversations in my head to turn the negative thoughts to more positive. It would be quite comical if others could hear them
Twitter: KristenPGIP
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Thanks for giving me a kick in the bum too with this! I tend to let my moods creep in and then take over not only my life but those around me if I am not careful. I don’t want my moods to control 2013. I want to control it. Maybe we can keep each other in check?
Happy 2013, Denise! xo
Kristen recently posted..The Year of 40
Twitter: acctodenise
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We can definitely keep each other in check. I need all the help I can get!
Twitter: bestoffates
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Wooh – you can do it!
Megan (Best of Fates) recently posted..Then I Climbed To The Top of Mt. Christie, A Mystery Conquerer
Twitter: acctodenise
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Yes I can!