In Here’s How to Keep Your Happy Smile in Place, we talked about the three attitudes that keep happiness flowing in our lives – gratitude, audacity, and abundance. As well as those work, it does sometimes become a trial to keep our attitude in check in the midst of trying circumstances.
On our best days, our music, morning talk show, prayer or exercise gets us geared up to tackle the road ahead. We usually stay on that high until we encounter our first hurdle – other people. Man oh man some people are such an energy drain. It’s like they take a hose and attach it to our back, sucking out all the positive vibes we’ve stored up for the day ahead.
I wish we could just remove those people from our lives, but we all know that’s not always possible. At least not right away. So what is it we can do to help ourselves keep a great attitude while the trial remains in our life?
Here’s my suggestion – Give our self a boost of positive! By intentionally surrounding our selves with affirming words and symbols we can change our perception of our circumstances, and our attitude will shortly follow. We don’t need anything long or ostentatious, just small reminders of who we are, what we’re about and what God is accomplishing through our lives.
I tend to need these reminders a lot so I strategically put them on things I’ll use all through the day. For example a sticky note above my computer features a quote that says nothing is as good or bad as it seems in the moment. The cover of one of my journals features an Emily Dickinson quote – I dwell in possibility. And my Loving on Me mug reminds me to Dare to Defy the Status Quo. It’s a small but powerful way to continuously stream positive affirmations into my spirit.
I’ve also identified the one animal that best describes where I am in life right now. It used to be lions, then ladybugs, and for a time honeybees. All of them still resonate with some part of my spirit, but today life is all about the butterfly. A symbol of transformation and freedom, it beautifully represents this phase of my journey. I wear a little silver one around my wrist to remind me of what’s important. Funny how I find myself toying with it as I weigh important decisions about the future.
We can all add this same encouragement to our lives. The key is making affirmations and symbols a part of our every day, all day. Just 2 or 3 small reminders can make a huge difference in our daily disposition. All it takes is a commitment to making our happiness an intentional habit!
Remember, our happiness is in our control – unless we give it to someone else. Circumstances – which often impact our happiness – are often out of our control. The circumstances themselves are neither good nor bad. They are simply the culmination of a series of moments in time. It is our perception of those circumstances that shape our attitudes and result in our subsequent actions.
That’s why this consistent flow of affirmations is so potent. It helps keep our focus on our long-term vision so that we can put our temporary situation in proper perspective. It’s amazing how circumstances bother you far less when you remember that what you’re experiencing is really only a moment in time.
So how about it? Will you join me in making happiness a habit? A new survey says it takes 66 days for an action to become something you do without thinking. So for the next two months, I’m issuing a challenge – let’s surround our selves with the positive. Do what works for you – post sticky notes, draw a picture in your hand, or tie a string around your wrist. Whatever it is that will allow you to give you a dose of the positive.
Not sure what to say? Here are three phrases to help you get started:
I am mighty. I am strong. I am enough.
There is no space in my spirit for negativity.
I can do it!
You’ll be amazed at what a difference this makes in your day. After doing it for several months, I’ve discovered that I no longer need to see the notes to hear the positive messages in my mind. Feeding myself positive thoughts throughout the day has allowed them to take root. So when the blues try to get me down, my mind just won’t have it. Isn’t that awesome?
I know life can be tough. When our circumstances are challenging, the day after day beat down, can be hard to bear. But speaking kindly to ourselves can be a balm to our soul, helping us weather the tough times and more quickly recover our good spirits.
Give it a try, and let me know what you think. If you’re already doing it, share your favorite affirmation or animal inspiration with us. Day by day, we’ll learn and grow together.
Loving on Me as I Love You. ❤
Carlie Carpio says
I really needed this today! Thank you for the gentle reminder. I’m posting more stickys as I type <3
katrinamcghee says
You are most welcome! Be sure to share the encouragement. ❤ K
Crystal Gooding says
I really needed this. Subtle reminders of our strength, resilience, and faith can truly reshape our perspective and attitude. I will remind myself daily “I can…” and finish the sentence with whatever the day brings!
Thank you for the inspiration!!
Katrina McGhee says
Yay! I’m so glad this spoke to your spirit. Speaking to yourself is such an empowering experience. Have a great weekend! 🙂