So, today I want to talk about thinking about the positive when it feels like a tiger is sitting on your chest growling.
I know it sounds impossible but I’m going to show you how to do it without too much headache and heartache.
I can tell you that you are not the only one experiencing those horrible moments in their lives. I for example have had those days more than I would like to admit. Even though I am your wannabe positivity expert I have those days where I want to curl up under my favorite blanket and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist. I actually have had times that have felt like I had more than my share. But I have been doing this positivity trick for a long time. It is something that has saved many of my days.
It can be used in conjunction with any other positivity practice. This however is sometimes used in the moment when things go ary. It can also be used after several things have gone wrong and you feel like you need to dig yourself out of a hole.
As your silver lining wannabe expert, I am perfectly aware this may need to be used in addition to one or more things. Don’t worry, I, Mrs. Tea, am realistic not someone who assumes the knight will bee arriving at your doorstep to save you from the evil ogre.
Now the trick to this positivity technique is to actually be mindful of the uck. You may now be screaming, “Mrs. Tea, no. I want to swallow my ick and slime down until it’s gone.”
Well, I can tell you one thing. Swallowing ick, slime, and disgusting feelings just leads to stomach aches and ulcers. No stomach want your gross responses to external and internal catalysts.
Yes, my deer, they can be from your insides too. You create all sorts of thoughts that can lead to ick. (I’ll talk more about that ick in a later jotting. So be ready for that.)
So instead of swallowing those icky, nasty emotions that resemble mud, why don’t you be nice to it. Hold out your hand for it. Then admire it’s complete icky awesomeness. Say, “Hey. Nice to meet you. I’m going to help you get to a less grimy place.
Yes, you might be realizing that I want you to be compassionate to your mucky stuff as well as your clean and peaceful mind'sself.
Say, “Self, you don’t have to curl up in the fetal position. I’ve got you. And I’ve got your sadness, anger, depression, anxiety, and other negative emotions all in my big strong capable arms.”
Then this is the hardest part. Open your minds eye and look at your inner you and your negativity held out in your hand a microscope or magnifying glass. But here’s the trick. Don’t look at all the jagged edges or the torn up pieces that seem broken. Look for all the clean spots. The spots that you can say to yourself, “Wow, Self, look at that in all of that ick ther is still a clear spot.”
You could even think about how there is sun shining on the muck even through the dark woods of your mood.
Now at first this is going to be hard. I am not going to lie and say that it is. It might make your really emotional the first time you really truly find a positive thing. You may even break down in tears because you didn’t think that there could possibly be anything positive in all that grime. It may even be cathartic.
If you practice this technique for awhile, it will be easier and easier to do. After awhile you will be able to easily just glance at your distress and find a positive thing to grab on to, so you can focus on that contentment not the other unhappiness that was there before.
Now, know you don’t have to force this. If it’s too much or it’s just not for you, don’t do it. Just because I write about it doesn’t mean that it’ll work for everyone. But of course, you will never know until you try. So go give something positive a try. Even if I am not the one who suggested it. It might just be the next best thing.
Go now. Be safe. Know you are not alone.