Positivity

“The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

If you listen to the naysayers, you’ll hear plenty of stories of doom and gloom. Just turn on the news, and you’ll see what I mean. The economy sucks, many are jobless, some are homeless, and don’t forget there’s a big hole in the ozone layer, so who knows what terrible things that might lead to. I think it’s a very good time for me to share a post with you that comes from my other blog, the personal side of me, called Beth’s Take on Life. So here we go…

Positivity. Is that a word? I don't know -- I didn't stop to look it up, because I decided I want to use it, even if it’s not in the dictionary. Here are my thoughts on positivity, or the art of being joyful.

Where does joy come from? Are some people born as ‘cup half full’ people while others just naturally see the cup as half empty?

I don’t think so. Joy does come from within, but it starts with our thoughts and grows from there – or not. To experience life from a happier perspective, you first have to make the decision that you want to be happier and you’re going to be – regardless of what’s going on around you.

Next step? Become aware of your thoughts and feelings. Are you always complaining? Is your boss a jerk? Is your mother-in-law a biatch? Do traffic problems send you over the edge? Whatever you’re feeling is fine, but if it’s less than positive, you might want to take a step back and realize how you’re thinking about things. Everyone can be a jerk sometimes, but once we label someone that way, that’s the side of themselves that they’ll show us.

Take a moment today to consider yourself and your life. Not liking what you see? Then what can you change? Not the other guy -- YOU! It always comes back to you. Change your outlook, and you'll change your life. Because, my friends, happiness in an inside job – every single time.

Add a touch of positivity to your day -- in the form of a happy thought, smile, or small joke -- and you’re already on your way to a happier life. Try it. Just for today. Take one small step toward positivity and see how it makes you feel. And now for some happy images to help us all feel better right now...