A Lovely Mind ~ Part 2
I am still on my quest for “mental chicness”. This past December I wrote this blog post about having a “lovely mind”. I have been watching more of the news, reading more articles, and doing my best to stay abreast of the world around me without going into complete depression.
It is not easy. There is so much going on in the world. Not to mention silly things that go on with social media. I have been so concerned about my Youtube channel and having “trolls”. I have heard some of the other YouTubers talk about how people contact them and make horrible comments. I really don’t understand that. If you don’t like someone’s content just simply “unfollow” them. It’s so easy but then again people are crazy.
I have been continuing to read the Living the Good Long Life by Martha Stewart. It was listed as one of my favorites a month or two ago. I have now entered the section of the book called “Accentuate the Positive”.
I must admit I can be a negative Nancy sometimes so I am trying to work on that bad habit. Changing your thoughts can change your life and so that has turned into a life goal for me. In the book, Martha gives 3 tips from author Rick Hanson (Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom) on how to accentuate the positive.
The first one is:
Turn positive events into positive experiences. All kinds of good things happen in your daily life that you hardly notice at all. (O.M.G. so true). Someone pays you a compliment- you barely pay attention to it or deflect it. Instead, take time to recognize every positive moment and experience it.
I know for me when someone pays me a compliment, I immediately say, “thank you Lord for those kinds words”. But that is just me…
The second is:
Savor positive experiences. Once you get used to recognizing these types of experiences, take it a step further and relish each good moment: hold on to it for 20 to 30 seconds, and allow yourself to really feel it in your body. The longer you hold these moments in your awareness, the more neurons fire simultaneously so they start wiring together to form a memory.
I like this idea of holding your moments in your thoughts. This is something I need to practice.
photo credit Annie Spratt
And the third is:
Consider how the experience is sinking into you and becoming a part of you. In other words, help weave it into the fabric of your brain and yourself.
Soak in the moments of life. I really want to work on this. With our daughter beginning high school this year soaking in moments has become a huge goal of mine.
Well, I hope that you enjoyed this post and take some of these tips and work on them yourself. I think we all get caught up in the problems and concerns of life and that we do just ignore those lovely comments that we receive.
No more ignoring…. take it in and be grateful.
(tips: Living the Good Long Life, page 169)
Good evening Mrs. Shockley,
After reading your post about the Martha Stewart book, "Living The Good Life", I was intrigued because I know for certain that if you like it, I will too! Anyhow, it arrived yesterday and I am just savoring this book. I mean, there is everything one could ever want to know about well being. Thank you so much for this recommendation. I can't wait to get to Accentuate the Positive. Much like you, I need that right now. My work has been unbelievably stressful and I find myself complaining more than I should. I even allow my mind to wonder if being an RN was a mistake. Not good, because I know I am in this field for a reason!
Hi Mya!
You purchased the book? How fantastic! I was just reading it today while I was waiting on my daughter. It is a wonderful book. It's full of wonderful and useful information. I will be sharing more on the blog.
And speaking of jobs I have been in the same position as you. Some people or situations can make you question everything that the Lord has done for you. But I believe that in most cases, those people or situations are just distractions. They have no true weight in our lives. Keep doing your job and do it well!