How Do You Stay Positive?

[iguana_tonante]

Positivity is overrated. Positivism is where all the cool kids are at.

Willie: Well Mr. Smarty...

ALF: It's Mr. Science.

I had to look it up.

pos·i·tiv·ism 1.
a philosophical system that holds that every rationally justifiable assertion can be scientifically verified or is capable of logical or mathematical proof, and that therefore rejects metaphysics and theism.

I am stupid. I am sorry. I know that isn't an excuse but it is all I got.

Joke. Look that up.

You know how you stay positive? You don't take everything as a way to demean yourself. Serious advice, for once. And likely the last.

 

[RJDiogenes]

There are lots of ways to stay positive in a world that inundates you with the negative.

If the world looks bad, think about how far the human race has come in such a short time. The world is 4.5 billion years old, life is 4 billion years old, multi-cellular life is 500 million years old, things resembling humans have been around maybe a million years, and in a mere few thousand years we have built an incredible, awesome civilization. There is cruelty and stupidity still, but we are not long down from the trees.

If the daily news is bad, remember that it's bad news that gets the attention. It's newsworthy because it's bad. Most things that happen in the world are good or benign, but they get little attention. There are plenty of places on the Internet to find good news or inspiring stories. As an example, here is a blog run by a friend of mine who is a professor at the University of Richmond (I also write for this blog, which helps me to feel positive-- not only am I bringing something important to peoples' attention, but the research is inspiring).

There are also things you can do personally to feel more positive by contributing to making the world a better place. Get a job that helps people, such as in the health care field (even if it's in a supporting role, like mine). Volunteer for charity work. Or just randomly help complete strangers when they need it. Speak out for kindness and open-mindedness when needed. Being a part of what's positive in the world will make you feel positive.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Faith & Self-Knowledge.

Self-Knowledge in the sense of realizing that sometimes -maybe - an "enemy" can expose a vulnerability that you were unaware of ... allowing you to make adjustments so that's not a problem, anymore. Also in recognizing problems early on, before they snowball and dealing with them while they still are small ... and manageable. Knowing that if you got through something before you can get through something else later. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. But comparing yourself to other people will only make you vain or bitter.

As for my faith, I'm often called upon to forgive - to not have wrongs done to me shakled to anything and everything else in life that might get me mad about something. It's a burden and it's a very correct philosophy to let shit go. In the same way, to "turn the other cheek," is also very useful in daily life. It's not saying "make yourself an open target," it's saying "don't sweat it." And that's about having control. It's very rare for me to feel depressed. The last time I did was when someone I knew died. Otherwise, nothing gets me down.

 

[Otto Harkaman]

A good meal with some wine helps me but I usually try to just "soldier on".

To continue or persist, despite adversity or difficulty.

-- Oh and a good bike ride does wonders for me.

 

[Use of Time]

I have found that spending more time outside, even if its just on my back porch is a way to elevate my mood. If I have a bad day at the office, simply watching the kids play on their swingset while I drink a glass of wine and listen to music helps me refocus on the positive things. Exercising every day is another simple way to make you feel like you accomplished something.

TayLaLaLa it breaks my heart to hear the self loathing way you talk about yourself. I sincerely hope you can find daily moments of happiness and peace and build on them every day until you are through whatever issues plague you.

 

[Mudd]

Gratitude.

 

[Australis]

Believe in yourself. The start would be to get away from the people around you. As far as we can see, all they seem to do is drag you down. Seriously. Get away from them. Far, far away.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Keep going.

 

[Taylirious]

Positivity is overrated. Positivism is where all the cool kids are at.

Willie: Well Mr. Smarty...

ALF: It's Mr. Science.

I had to look it up.

pos·i·tiv·ism 1.
a philosophical system that holds that every rationally justifiable assertion can be scientifically verified or is capable of logical or mathematical proof, and that therefore rejects metaphysics and theism.

I am stupid. I am sorry. I know that isn't an excuse but it is all I got.

Joke. Look that up.

You know how you stay positive? You don't take everything as a way to demean yourself. Serious advice, for once. And likely the last.

Sorry. I was being silly. Ignore me.

 

[Amaris]

I try to remember good things. It's easy to get me down these days, and has been for some time. I suffer from depression, so finding the bright spot in anything becomes increasingly difficult. Add to that my circumstances and it becomes downright impossible, in some sense. So I try to just remember good things that I've done, or that have been done for me, and I try to build on that.

 

[Kestra]

I think that more often than not, it's a choice that we have to make. Something happens, and you have to decide. Are you going to be positive about the situation, or negative? I'm going to make huge exceptions here for mental illness because that's very different and outside one's control.

But yeah, it's easier to be negative or indifferent. Negativity makes itself more prominent and more significant, so sometimes there's going to have to be a conscious effort to be positive.

I think for me, a big part is just knowing that it's possible to be happy and positive even in seemingly dire circumstances. I grew up with yearly trips to India and I've always been astounded at how some people with poor health or so little material wealth can be giving, happy, and positive. So I know that it's a choice I can make every day. I can't control what happens to me, but I can choose how I see it and how I'm going to deal with it.

This kind of thinking got me out of some really tough times and I credit cognitive-behavioral therapy for giving me the right tools to use.

 

[Amaris]

[hugs]

Sometimes, it's pride that helps, too. I've always considered myself to be an intelligent person, so sometimes I'll start thinking about the negativity bringing me down, and I'll get indignant. I'll think to myself, "Is this really going to be what defeats you? This?! You're going to let this issue bring you down? I though you were a smart man! I thought you were witty, and intelligent! You're going to let this minor issue do you in? I don't think so!" and I get riled up, and I make myself look at the bigger picture, and how things can and will be better. It doesn't always work, but when it does, it really works.

 

[NeroShrimp]

When I'm down, I either head to the gym, go for a 30 minute walk, or just turn on an episode of Star Trek. I know that last one sounds cliche, but it's true! In addition, I like to turn on a James Bond movie.

That reminds me, I need to get back into my drawing skills. I have neglected that for a while and it's time to continue.

 

[Amaris]

When I'm down, I either head to the gym, go for a 30 minute walk, or just turn on an episode of Star Trek. I know that last one sounds cliche, but it's true! In addition, I like to turn on a James Bond movie.

That reminds me, I need to get back into my drawing skills. I have neglected that for a while and it's time to continue.

Hey, don't knock it if it works! As you can see from my avatar, I'm a fan of My Little Pony. I can't quite explain it, but just watching an episode brings me pure joy condensed into 22 candy coated minutes. If it works, it works!

Plus, I'm a fan of Star Trek and James Bond, too. Now all we need is Patrick Stewart to be in a Bond movie, and I will be a happy man.

 

[Borgminister]

Pretend you're Data. Maybe that'll blunt whatever bummer's infested your life until you can regain your footing.

Beer also helps, long as no mirrors are around...

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Closed at the OP's request.