Do This One Thing To Be Better For You and Your Relationships
We can easily be bogged down in life by all its demands. Just when you think you’ve achieved something, without a moment to even bask in your accomplishment, another challenge quickly arises. There are two ways to approach life if you find that your life seems to regularly mirror this description. Choose the same way of responding (most likely the one not working so well for you) or choose something better, something different. Life is about choices. They may not be easy ones, but choices nonetheless.
Let me share with you this one thing that you can do that will help stop the feeling that you are being crushed by the weight of your life circumstances. It will help you to avoid the trap of becoming bitter and as a result being unhappy which can also soil your relationships. Choose to have a positive outlook. Yes, I know that is so much easier said than done. The thing is, it’s not a single decision. It’s an intentional choice that you make daily, moment by moment if you have to.
When you’re feeling down and defeated by your life circumstances, you tend to scan your environment for evidence that support these feelings. Seek and you surely will find. Choose instead to scan your surroundings regularly for things and people to appreciate rather than to criticize. Each time you do this exercise, you will be strengthening the brain’s ability to think more positively. Over time, it just becomes a natural way for you to view your environment, no matter what the circumstances are.
Make a conscious effort to react in a different way. You’ll feel good about choosing something good for yourself and feel even better about the benefits of your choices. This one thing, your decision to appreciate the good, will help you create a climate of praise and gratitude in your life. You’ll have more positive interactions in your relationships with others. It’s a win for everyone. I’m certain your partner and your loved ones would appreciate the more pleasant and less irritable version of you.
Take a second and just reflect and if this is something you’re already doing, then good for you! If you’re not quite there then I encourage you to start today to do this one thing that could change your life and the way you feel. If you’re really struggling and this appears to be a chronic problem for you, then you might want to consider seeing a licensed mental health professional that can offer support.
So today I am choosing to be grateful for my two-year-old who likes to help me put away the laundry (even though it creates more work for me). I appreciate his desire to spend time with me and his willingness to be helpful. What are you choosing to appreciate today?
