May 25 2010
What has been going well for you today?
I just read a fascinating book: Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson. The first part is a bit dry as she details the multitude of research on feeling positive. Instead of focusing on what we’re doing wrong, positivity looks at what we’re doing right. It’s a great approach!
She explains how people who are more positive live longer, are more restful, have greater optimism for the future, are more resilient to change, and overcome bad things more readily. Plus, people who are more positive also are more open about life and are able to find joy in numerous areas of their lives.
The good news is that we can learn how to embrace the positives in our life.
Instead of reminding yourself of all the things you did wrong today, why not make a list of everything that’s been going great?
Spending a few minutes outside, enjoying the trees, blue sky, grass, and the feeling of the sun on your skin can increase your positive outlook.
According to Fredrickson, positivity is joy, gratitutude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe and love. How many of these emotions have you experienced today?