Friday, July 31, 2009

It's Officially POSITIVE DAY!

Positive Day is the brainchild of Jen's Diva Daughter over at Dust Bunny Hostage. Miss Diva is a wonderfully intelligent young woman who completely reached her limit of negativity in this world (click here for the full story on that) and decided that we all needed to be more positive. Hence, Positive Day was born!Personally, I think this is a brilliant idea. As some of you may know, our family has had a terribly rough year. We suffered the loss of my son-in-law, who was only 26 at the time of his death, and it was, obviously, a severe blow to all of us. Darkness, depression and despair hung over our heads like a heavy blanket after Russell was taken from us. Finally, around the middle of last month, things started to change a little bit. Our family seemed to begin the long road to healing and I saw a glimpse of sunlight somewhere up ahead of us. And I embraced that sunlight like nobody's business! I refuse to let it go now. I am determined to be happy and I'm determined to find the positive, any which way I can. When I read about Miss Diva's "positive concept" being celebrated with this campaign for Positive Thinking, I couldn't help but jump on this particular bandwagon. I hope you all will join us and post about something wonderful and positive in your lives today!

The quote on the above poster is so right! You have to focus on the good things in life - put your energy into cultivating the good instead of nursing along the bad. Since the day that Russell died, every morning when I wake up, I still have those nervous thoughts of, "Lord, will something bad happen today?" but now I make a definite and conscience effort to tell myself, "Life is good. Be happy. Embrace what we have and appreciate it". I can actually feel the weight lifting off my shoulders as I say these things to myself. It has truly given me a whole new appreciation for the Power of Positive Thinking! I love the quote in the picture below:

This next quote has meaning for me, too:

I've wasted far too much time coming up with reasons not to do things. Things like camping with the family. Yeah, something that simple. For years, I've resisted my husband's pleas to go camping. Oh, no sir. Not me. I want air conditioning, cable tv and a nice warm tub when I'm away from home. Then last month I had an epiphany. My need for "luxury" was costing me great memories with my family. So I found that "one reason" why I could go camping: to have some fun with my husband and kids. I was very positive that I wanted to do something all together with them and darn if it didn't turn out to be an absolute blast!

Another change for me is that I'm working very hard to think of "I can" instead of "I can't". I can maintain my weight loss. I can step outside my comfort zone and be happy about it. I can laugh at myself when I do something stupid or goofy (that one's still a little hard for me. lol). And I can go off and do something without it being planned down to the last detail. I'm positive that I can live my life by the "I can" rather than the "I can't" rule.

Not everything can be beautiful and happy. Sometimes, as the old saying goes, a little rain must fall. The trick is to be able to recognize the benefit of the rain. It's not always easy, but with the power of positive thinking, you can find the good in the bad. You can and you should find it. It's what makes those rough times bearable. Of that, I'm positive.
For all of you naysayers out there (and you know who you are!), do yourself a favor...stop with the negative thinking, stop looking for the "catch" in everything and stop spending so much time on the dark aspects of life. Reach for the light, reach for the goodness and reach for that which helps you become more positive. We can do so much more if we look for the answers instead of focusing on the problems. It does take a lot of energy and effort to be positive, that's for sure. But the rewards make it worth it. The ability to look forward to life with joyful anticipation instead of fearful dread all hinges on your willingness and desire to think positive. I want to be part of the positive change in the world. How about you? Together,

Now ya'll do yourselves a favor and write a positive post on your own blog and then head on over to Dust Bunny Hostage to get a load of all the other Positive Thinkers out here in Blogland. Share all this positive good will - let's make a difference in each other's attitudes! I'm positive we can do this!


P.S. Good thing I got all my negative mess out of the way with yesterday's post, eh? LOL

16 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear about your son in law. But, it sounds like you do have a lot to be thankful for. Yay for camping! That sounds like fun. :)

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  2. Of all the positive post I read today, yours so far has been the most gripping, the most of a wake up call, the realist. I applaud you for embracing that sunlight. In times like you have had, it is so easy to allow sadness to overcome you. Though it is part of that grieving process, God does want us to go on, in the memoriy and spirit of Nick, I think it is a great testiment to him. I am so sorry for your great loss. I have said a prayer for your family. It only confirms my belief in never taking anything for granted. Always tell people you love them and don't delay-you may never get that chance again.
    Enjoy your trip-I know you will.

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  3. Ummmm, I was going to let this go, but I know that Nick will read the comments posted and be totally freaked out. Therefore, I must clarify...Nick is alive and well (thank God!), Leigh. Our family member that died is named Russell.

    There Nick. Now don't get all antsy after having read that. Love you! :-)

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  4. Kari,loss of a loved one especially one so young is not good.what is good is all the postive support that you have in you family,not to mention all the great folks here in the Land Of Blog.Big time Hug,best wishes for a positive rest of the year.

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  5. "Reach for the light, reach for the goodness and reach for that which helps you become more positive."

    I KNEW with all of my heart that your post would be wonderful.

    Sometimes, it's people who have hurt the most who have the biggest appreciation for positivity. I could feel it in your comments that you embraced this day - that you needed it. It makes me look at my child and think "There really is a plan for her life. She is in this world, not to please me, but to accomplish something that pleases God."

    You are a bright spot in the Blogsphere Kari. Whether you are writing about positive things or not, you ALWAYS write honestly.

    Thanks for being a part of Positive Day - it means so much to me.

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  6. Oh dear! What am I going to do for spice now that you've gone to the bright side? ;> Course I know that it is not all about me so for yourself and your family and your friends go thou and be joyful. You've certainly always made my life richer for having known you!

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  7. O Kari. That was the most impactful post. I needed it so much today and I thank you for writing it. I especially LOVED the poster with the tulips and the perfect saying. I'd like to hang that on a wall! You gave me such hope that we do have to let go of fear (SOOOO very hard to do sometimes) and embrace happy possibilities.

    I'm so very sorry you lost your dear son-in-law. As a mom, I can only imagine how hard that must have been to walk with your daughter through that. God bless you ALL, new friend. I'm signing up to follow you.

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  8. my deepest condolences for the loss of your son-in-law
    I am inspired by your attitude
    I especially like the idea of only needing to find one reason to do something
    I hope you have the best camping trip ever known :)

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  9. That's sobering as I'm 26. Sorry for your family's loss. But I'm glad that you are learning in the midst of the hard year.

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  10. I'm sorry for your loss. I love the posters they are very cute and uplifting! :)

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  11. Kari you are a talented and wondeful writer!!

    btw..I work in Choctaw Okla which is right beside Midwest city!! I go to Midwest city at least 3 times a week, so I know exactly where you are talking about...

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  12. What a wonderful post...and something all of us need to remember. I am so trying to be positive, stay positive...I do believe in this AND the power of prayer as well. You have been through so much and yet you arealways such a bright light to me.
    Thanks for caring about my family members...it is my brother and sis. They have separated and he is also being down sized...it has been so sad.
    I so look forward to seeing you andhaving great fun!!
    Love,
    Sue

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  13. I'm here from Jen's linky.

    I'm a big proponent of the power of an "I can" attitude. And you have my deepest sympathies for your loss.

    Happy Positive Day!

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  14. Well, Kari, you certainly know how to speak to me! You know how negative I can be about my life. Sometimes I feel like a two-year-old pitching a temper tantrum at God and life and anyone else...thank you for this wonderful reminder to, instead, count my blessings. And thank you for the reminder that others, too, have been dealt hardships in life. (What!?! It's not all about ME???). C

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  15. I'm sorry for you loss but the power of positive thinking is the best. Great post. Happy Positive Day 2009. Aloha

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  16. Great post Kari! If you can be positive and have gone through what you did than I know I can be too. Love this............

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