We live in violent times. When we turn on the news and are inundated with horrific events, it feels like a punch in the gut. We feel ordinary, helpless, and without hope. Some become angry while others spiral downward in various levels of depression.
One person can’t change the world, right? So we vent. We rant. We play the blame game. There may be truth in those words, but I doubt many with an opposing viewpoint will say, “Oh. Wow. You’re right.” I gotta believe sending out all that negativity, cursing, hatred, and frustration makes us feel worse. Without being aware of it, this powerlessness can spill over into other aspects of our lives.
Instead, I have a proposition for you.
Each day you are presented with choices. With a little self-control and patience, you can shift the way you react in your own world.
I challenge you to take all that negative energy and funnel it in a positive way. It’s the holiday season. It shouldn’t be hard. In one trip to the mall you will be faced with all kinds of opportunities to make a difference.
How?
Through expectations. You are faced with challenges every day. Watch for them. When they appear, look them in the eye and say, “Ha! I’ve been waiting for you.” Then react with the knowledge that it may be ridiculously hard to suck it up and be kind and tolerant in certain situations, but you are a one-person army. Think before attacking. A reasonable voice is less polarizing. You can either forge ahead and take on daily battles with respect or fly your angry flag in defeat and ruin someone else’s day. It’s up to you.
There will be victories and there will be losses. We are human. We overreact. We have to pick ourselves up off the battlefield, learn from our mistakes and move forward.
We have a choice.
We can either pollute our own little world or fill it with a positive outlook and love.
Patience, compassion, empathy and tolerance are all we have in our arsenal, but it’s all we need. We can change how we live. We will be happier. Everyone we come in contact with will be happier too.
You have the strength, the courage and the experience to take on this challenge. You can be extraordinary. Do it.
Change your world.
I prefer the second sunset, don’t you?
If you agree with me, share it. Maybe someone else will benefit by changing their world.
Oh, Susie…YES!
Thank you for a very timely post. I’m not one to be sucked into the negativity, but even I’m feeling the burden of world events this week. I love your approach, and I’m adopting it immediately…and spreading the word.
You rock! xo
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Thanks so much, Mama!
Everyone has heard the “pay it forward” message,” but I thought this was a different. It came from commenting on Cayman’s post. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
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Good one Susie. It’s certainly worth a try 🙂
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Right? It’s a good reminder for everyone. I just figured with all the negativity and going into the most stressful time of the year we could use the reminder to take the frustration level down a notch.
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Good thoughts, and much needed. Instead of being a one-person army, though, I’d rather be a one-person peace brigade.
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LOVE IT! Spread the word in your brigade, Maggie. Thanks for the comment!
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I try every day to do something for others. I forget myself most times but that isn’t important. To me my mantra is ‘everyone else”
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGG
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Way to go, Linda! The world would be a better place if we were all like you. 🙂
((((hugs)))) back!!!
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Great advice. If everyone, everywhere could be positive the world would be so much better. And yes, I like the second sunset.
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Thanks, Mary! I agree. The pay it forward message is still relevant, but few talk about what to do when bad feelings arise in a situation. Go Positive World!
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Great post Susie. it is so important to continue to seek the positive in our lives & not succumb to all the negatives. Wishing you a happy, happy day!
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Thanks Lynn! The holidays can be the most stressful time of year and with all the violence, I thought I’d send out a message. I’m glad you stopped by to read!
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Winter and the holidays always bring on depression for me. The drumbeat of bad news about terrorism and mass shootings is making it worse this year. Thank you for a post that so clearly states what I already knew, which is that we can take at least some control of our little part of the world. A great post!
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This is spot on! Trials are always going to be a part of life, but if we recognize that and choose to be positive and kind anyway—amazing things can happen! Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks, Suzie!
Great name, by the way. 🙂
It’s funny how expectations go a long way in transforming how we react. If we remind ourselves every day, it should make it a little easier when presented with the negative. I should have been a shrink. Ha!
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Love this perspective….the second picture is gorgeous!
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Thanks so much! I whipped it out after ruminating about a comment I made at a friend’s blog.
That photo reminds me of Maxfield Parrish.
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Thank you for this reminder of our better natures during these troubling times. Another amazing thing is that compassion, outwardly directed, actually makes you feel better.
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That is so true. I think it’s easy to get swept up into negativity, but doing something positive has lasting effects too!
Thanks for the share!
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Beautiful Captures & Great Reminder! Smiling goes a long way as well as a “Thank You” I find so I practice that each and every day 🙂 Happy Weekend – Enjoy!
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Thanks, Renee! You are very positive!
Have a fabulous weekend too!
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I channel my negativity into my posts. So while that’s a positive for me, my posts aren’t positive. Does that count?
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Absolutely! Whatever works for you, X-man.
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Love this!! Our negativity can create so much chaos, but what if we could create the things that we wanted instead of creating more hardships? If we have the power to manifest the bad in our lives, then we damn well have the power to manifest more good!! YAY!!!
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WOOHOO! Well said! We just need to remind ourselves how powerful we are.
Thanks, Tararb!
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What a great post – choose your attitude! I am making headway with 13 and 14 year olds – passed back last week’s test and told ’em- you make the grade or change what you are doing, cuz the tests are going to get easier! Got some kids thinking – in more ways than one. Have a great weekend and I hope there is enough powder to get out and enjoy.
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Choose your attitude! I LOVE it! That’s what it’s all about. Sounds like your 13 and 14-year-olds have a fabulous teacher.
I haven’t been up skiing yet, but soon. Thanks, Clay! Have a great one too. 🙂
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I love this! Empowerment to take control of your own little world and make small differences can have major results! Thanks for this!
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Thanks, Drake!
It’s easier than most people think. We just need to shift our reaction. Imagine if everyone was aware of this. Wow.
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You’re right, of course. On the face of it, things look hopeless. You turn on the television and it’s a tsunami of bad news followed with even worst news. I hope you get a lot of positive feedback on this because it’s important to remember that it’s about what each and every one of us do in response to all the bad stuff. I’ve come to learn that the simplest things go a very long way.
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Hey, Cayman! This post came from my reaction to your reaction to the Paris violence.
This post got lost in the feed of the frantic holiday season. A few have stopped by and it attracted some new faces, so that’s a good thing, but it is far from going viral. Ha! But to be positive, there’s still time…
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And now more of the same in San Bernadino. I was talking with a friend of mine about this and she was like “Where does it end?”, to which I replied, “That’s assuming it does, end.” Because we’re so conditioned to traditional wars that have a beginning, middle and end. This ‘war’ is different, in that it can happen anywhere at anytime, and it can happen in perpetuity. Now, that SOUNDS hopeless, but I disagree. I think it’s a matter of the fight in all of us. Not with guns and bayonets, but with attitude and spirit. This is our home, this is our way of life, and that is never going to change. No matter what.
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Not to mention it’s healthier. I refuse to fall victim to the negative when there is so much more good than bad. As my mom says: “I just put Family Feud on and laugh, it’s much better than the news.”
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Go Family Feud. Ha! That’s the way to go. I’m watching a lame Christmas movie while catching up. Lame is so much better than depressing.
Thanks, Lisa!
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“Each day you are presented with choices. With a little self-control and patience, you can shift the way you react in your own world.”
Love this!
You truly are a wonder woman, Susie Lindau.
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Awww! Thanks, Hook! I thought I’d put it out there in hope that it would brighten the world even if it’s only a glimmer.
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Mission accomplished.
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Reblogged this on JOHN HAYDEN REPORTING and commented:
Here’s a timely post! A clear and concise reminder: We need not respond in anger. We can be one-person armies for kindness, tolerance, respect, and peace. We can be the solution, not the problem, in all our interactions, whether driving on the road or standing in the checkout line.
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Thanks for the reblog, John!
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I can’t imagine what it feels like to be an American right now, where literally everywhere and anywhere you go, Death might be waiting.
Words like yours need to be written, read, and spoken. ** big hugs**
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Thanks so much! So many feel frightened. Nothing has ever been solved when responding in fear. (((hugs back)))
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A great post – excellent advice, good sense and true for all humanity. Why doesn’t everybody think like you do? The world would be a much better place. Care, kindness, reason and tolerance all pay dividends – and it seems to me the first step is to take a deep breath, step back, and just enjoy those sunset colours (especially that second one…).
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Thanks so much, Matthew! It’s always great to “see” you.
Choosing to take a deep breath and react positively seems simple to me… 🙂
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It is really good advice, Susie. Replacing the negative with something positive will take some practice, but something more reassuring will likely come from it, making it well worth the effort we make to do it. And, we’ll be leading by example. :O)
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It’s funny how the brain works and how anticipating a reaction to a problem can make a difference. It’s everything! Thanks, Attic-man!
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Your welcome, Susie. :O)
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I was just commenting on another blog about this very thing. I can’t help but wonder if we’re missing our chance to do something, rather than leave it all to the politicians and high-powered businesspeople. I love this worldview of positive expectations. I think this is a great time of year to start and we ought to continue it as long as possible. Have a writerly day!
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Thanks, Kate. Me too. It’s more of a movement than a call to action. It’s a simple adjustment that can go a long way!
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I really love this line “Patience, compassion, empathy and tolerance are all we have in our arsenal, but it’s all we need.” Thanks for writing 🙂
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You are right on, Susie! It’s how we choose to deal with the things that come our way that matters. Why is it so damn hard to remember to do that? Practice makes perfect until it comes naturally. As you know, humor helps a lot too! 🙂 xo
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I recognize that this post was written over a year ago, but it is soooo relevant right now isn’t it? There is a lot of polarizing negativity all around us right now, and not just the political stuff.
I’ve been thinking a bit about how to change things. Not the whole world, but maybe the area around me. Think this might be a decent start…
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