I’m not a positive person by nature.
During the 2008 financial crash, I went down a pretty big rabbit hole with peak oil and monetary crashes and a host of other things. As I watch our country move over 28 trillion dollars in debt (for a physical idea of what a trillion dollars looks like, click here) it worries me for what could happen if we cannot make a payment. Historical models are not pretty if something would happen.
#yikes
Yes, it’s safe to being positive is a struggle most days. So, I’ve tried something.
#weed
No!! Nothing medical, nothing perscribed, nothing at all like that. I get up in the morning, log into social media (FB and two Twitter streams) and post a positive comment. Nothing earth shattering, nothing profound, but just something to help me keep things going forward right off the bat.
Something surprising happened. People noticed.
“Thanks for the positive notes.”
“I appreciate you posting these every day.”
And my wife: “Seriously??”
#sheknowsmetoowell
And why not? As you watch the news, we get very little positive. As we jump onto social media, the positives are few and far between. I love TikTok, but if I want to see something positive, I really need to seek it out.
Why?
Why can’t we see the good in people? The good in ourselves? The good in our communities?
I don’t have an answer, sorry. I just pose the questions! You as the reader, you are my sounding board.
As it is, I feel more positive in a the face of the sh*t show that is Covid. I feel better even though I know that my Iowa legislators voted to make it illegal for my school to have a mask mandate. I feel better knowing that these are being noticed and that people are taking them to heart. Sometimes, we get so carried away with EVERYTHING (there’s no one thing that just jumps out), that we forget about ourselves and that we are freaking incredible. We do amazing things every single day, yet, the things that bring us down are the voices in our head.
So, if I can help someone have a little better day, outstanding. If I can help someone realize that they CAN do it, sweet! If I can remind someone they have the power, the voice, and the stamina to move forward, that’s what I want each day.
As you get going, remind yourself that you’ve got the choice everyday to come out positive. Like I wrote, somedays it just won’t happen, and that’s ok too.
This one got a little wordy, but I love that people notice these things and that they are helping out.
And as we close in on the beginning of the school year, I’ll remind my students that their choices, their attitude is a choice. A choice that’s always difficult to make, but yet makes such a profound impact on their day and their future.
And if a grumpy old teacher can find is positive mojo, they can too!
Because, with a little encouragement, we can all make good choices.
Am I right? 🙂
#youneedtostop :
August 4, 2021 at 2:39 am
You are right. I too believe in it. It helps when we appreciate people and tell them about it. My father-in-law used to say if a person has ten plus points and four minus, we should ignore the minus points.
August 15, 2021 at 9:05 am
You are so right about those plus and minus. Some days, we just ignore the minus and go forward! Your father-in-law is a wise man! 🙂
August 4, 2021 at 11:35 am
I love this, Darin. Your intentionality in putting something positive out into spaces that desperately need it is so powerful. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference–for you and for anyone who follows you. Thanks so much for sharing this today! (And the #weed comment made me laugh out loud.)
August 15, 2021 at 9:04 am
Hey Amy! As I go back a review things because I’ve been on a bit of a break, I appreciate your comment! I had to go back into the blog, and giggle at the #weed tag myself! Sometimes, I feel that writing lets me just be a little more “me” if that makes sense! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
August 8, 2021 at 9:20 pm
The perfect example of lifting yourself up by doing the same for others! I needed some positivity this evening; I ‘m glad I decided to click on your post.
August 15, 2021 at 9:02 am
I’m just reviewing back because I’ve been taking a bit of a break and LOVE this comment. I needed this positivity so thank you! 🙂