Positive Living is about being in control and responding to challenges by turning negative situations into positive possibilities. These weekday Facebook posts are based on my book “A Handbook for Positive Living A Through Z” and allow you to be inspired and take small steps for making changes in your life through your thoughts and actions.  These small steps can become a pathway that addresses the theme of “New Beginnings” in 2021.  

This month is based on the first three chapters of the book. Chapter one helps convey the importance of listening to your inner voice, trusting your intuition, appreciating your special qualities and setting boundaries on what you give or take from others.  New Beginnings through Positive Living also encourages you to see situations through different perspectives and helps you retrain your thoughts.  Consider what comes to mind when you view the equations below:

9×1=7

9×2=18

9×3=27

9×4=36   

Many people respond that the first equation is incorrect because 9×1=9 and they are right. However, Positive Living helps us open our mind to see things in different ways.

Let’s consider other points of view. There are three equations that are correctly presented. Did you consider those? When thinking about your life do you tend to focus on what is wrong rather than what is going well. Do you define yourself on one so called mistake or poor choice that you made in the past, or judge others that way?  Yes, we need to see what is wrong in order to address it, but let’s also train our brain to see what is right.

Chapter two reminds us of the importance of a balanced life.  Positive Living addresses the body, mind and spirit. We must take care of ourselves through priorities of healthy meals, taking time for ourselves, exercising and positive thinking.  This chapter also emphasizes the benefits of removing clutter from your home.  Decluttering cleanses not only your physical space, but also helps clear your mind and touch your soul.  I used the work of Marie Kondo this past summer to declutter our condominium.  Her books and articles offer specific strategies to tackle the process and she explains the philosophy behind it.  Decluttering has benefits on so many holistic levels. 

Another significant area of your life covered in chapter two is that of finances.  In order to balance your life and have less stress and peace of mind, debt and savings need to be addressed.  Get a plan in place to help you free up your debt, change spending habits and save for the future.

Creativity, the third chapter, informs how activation of both the left and right brain hemispheres allows your body to function at optimal physical and emotional levels. Creative people can develop different ways to carry out tasks and solve problems.  This chapter also explains how seeing the big picture can open new insights and new ways of doing things.  

Remember, these are not one-time strategies or exercises being posted, but rather if you begin to address those that speak to you, through daily practice, they will become automatic and a part of your repertoire of positive behavioral choices for New Beginnings in 2021. You’ll start to reprogram your thoughts and allow selfless actions to improve you as a person; thus, improving the world.

Thanks for being part of this special journey. It is a tribute to my holistic counselor of many years; Dr. Dolores Seymour, who helped me change my thinking that improved my life; especially my physical health.  She used to have a telephone hotline with a new positive message daily and I equate my posts on Facebook to her daily messages.  Through her influence, I have been able to live a fulfilling and peaceful life by the way I appreciate the goodness around me and deal with adversities as stepping-stones for growth.

It is now time to share this knowledge with others so that you too, can enhance your life through New Beginnings and Positive Living. 

Happy 2021.

Be safe and well,

Lora