The World According to ME!

The World According to ME!

© Allen Merritt (2016)

I don’t know why I wrote that title. It just came to me, so it seems like as good a starting point as anything today in thinking about this past week and preparing for a new one.  I guess if I had to put a finger on it, the world according to me suggests how I (and everyone else who proclaims it) views life from their point of view. We see things the way we see it and sometimes we concur and life goes on. At other times, it may seem like we butt heads with one another. 

I have an old acquaintance that often used to tell me, “Likewise!” when we agreed on things. At other times, it was a “let’s agree to disagree” scenario. In either case, perspective plays a hefty role in how we see things from moment to moment and day to day. No doubt about it.

In continuing the conversation, I discussed a bit of this with a colleague at work this week. Many times a person will see things a certain way when in fact it isn’t that way at all. It appears there are many reasons for this including masking one situation for another, bottling up things inside or taking things out on others over something that has nothing to do with them. Then there is the not knowing the context of a situation or circumstance. Since we are not able to always know what is going on, it is my opinion that it pays to be more responsive than reactive. For me, I view reaction with a negative connotation, because I have never seen it used for good. It usually impacts everyone in its path negatively. Maybe I am a bit old school in some ways, but I think there is a good reason why we should take stock in a situation by proceeding with caution; mainly because it benefits everyone to be responsive and not lash out needlessly.

The other side of this coin seems to point to the idea that we have the power within ourselves to see things in a better light when it is dark outside (or inside). My colleague and I discussed the importance of building ourselves (and others) up as opposed to using the tearing down effect. This requires a conscious effort to nurture and grow. If someone is visibly stressed or distressed, we can usually identify that and respond accordingly. What do you do? Do you pass on a smile or a nice comment? Tell a joke? Or, do you immediately fly off the handle and start yelling, judging and attacking the person or situation? Do we really enjoy taking things out on one another?

We all need a little care. I am the first to say I have my ornery days. I refer to those times when I get perturbed, aggravated or frustrated and don’t feel like tolerating anything as my ornery days. I acknowledge this fallibility in myself and move on. Usually, I don’t outright try to hurt a situation and I do not want to lash out or make rash or irrational decisions while in this state of mind. But I do have to feel it and then move on to change my mind set back to the positive. IF your setting is a bit off, change the setting. Think of life similar to that of the radio dial. Don’t like the channel, change it. We can do the same in our interactions with each other.

Ultimately, we should remember that our world (like it or not) is dependent on living one with the other and it is also distinguished by individual differences. It is not always about me or all about you. It’s about us. We impact each other’s lives tremendously whether we realize it or not or even if we choose to acknowledge it or not.

So in a nutshell, I am thinking that the idea of “the world according to me” should be viewed from every side of the fence. It’s tough, especially with so many sides to a story and various points of view. 

I guess one key is remembering we are all in the same boat even if we come from different backgrounds and experiences. We shouldn’t undermine each others thought processes, potentialities or possibilities even if we are not certain we agree with the process toward an outcome. Why? Because living on earth means always learning and growing. And, that is a gift.

With this in mind, consider where you are in life this week and where you stand in relation to everyone you run into, especially in those moments of uncertainty. What does the world according to you have to say and what lessons can be learned that would help promote living on a positive note?

Have a fantastic and enjoyable week!

Cheers!

Thanks and Giving!

Thanks and Giving!
© Allen Merritt (2016)

Let's talk turkey!

In America, Thanksgiving officially comes once a year and it is in late November. Canadians celebrate it a month earlier around October 10^th. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to take time off and get together with family and friends to celebrate "the harvest" and have a dining feast. I guess we can thank the Pilgrims for that.

East, drink and be merry, right?

But what is Thanksgiving? Why should we continue to celebrate it and are we actually celebrating it or using it as an excuse to party down and/or get stuffed and wasted?

In all seriousness, I have heard many people talk about celebrating Thanksgiving every day and also with Christmas. It seems relatively self-explanatory. Give Thanks and share gratitude with others. 

We give thanks for and/or to our families, jobs, communities, churches, cities and country for the ability to have and to do anything. We take stock in what we have and are able to do without taking anything for granted. We offer thanks for everything in recognizing we could be less fortunate and have nothing. We take stock in our lives! In truth, I am not saying anything new here. I don't think there is anything I can say that most people wouldn't already know about this holiday or even with the thought of being grateful and thankful. I believe we all know what the holiday should be about.

At the same time, I see Thanksgiving as a part of a larger picture we call the holiday season where we make some attempt to give back to others, offer gifts to others that are close to us or whom we come in close contact with on a regular basis for one reason or another. Overall, I do not see Thanksgiving as a time to run to the grocery store and start buying bags of groceries to cook and then gobble them up to the point of gluttony. It's not about food and eating. Is it?

I noticed a sign the other day that displayed the idea of Thanksgiving in two words. That is, “Thanks” and “Giving.” Separating those two words out of the one simply gives me pause for thought. I want to thank. I want to be thankful. I want to be grateful. I want to give and give back. I want to give thanks. These are the things I want to be reminded of this Thanksgiving. It's so easy to forget once we get back to our regularly scheduled program. 

I appreciate seeing the message of Thanks and Giving as individual thoughts and actions we convey. It helped remind me of how gratitude plays a deliberate part of our life at least one day of the year. Moreover, it reminds me to be considerate of maintaining the attitude of gratitude throughout each day and every moment of my life.

In writing this, I also noticed that St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital uses Thanks and Giving as a holiday message and as a part of their campaign to raise awareness for childhood diseases. Check them out at the following link:

https://www.stjude.org/media-resources/news-releases/2015-fundraising-news/st-jude-thanks-and-giving-launches-twelfth-year.html

In conclusion, I’m sure many people are grateful and thankful beyond the holiday season, but every day impressions demonstrate the opposite more often than not. We become forgetful as opposed to mindful.

Thank about it. Which would you prefer; to be thankless and ungrateful or thankful and grateful? Which attitude serves us better?

Since it is Thanksgiving time, I want to provide this food for thought to help us remember our blessings and what we have to be thankful for.

Happy Thanks and Giving!

Cheers!

Oh, Happy Day...Again!

Oh, Happy Day...Again!
©Allen Merritt (2016)

I woke up this morning and the first thoughts I had were, "Happy Sunday!" Needless-to-say, that made me smile on the inside. What a great way to start the day, with a beautiful affirmation of life!

It seems to make sense to me to start each day on a high note wherever and whenever possible. Our constitution is based on a portion of this idea...that is, the pursuit of happiness. I love the manifestation of this idea. I read books on it. I watch movies conveying it. More importantly, I believe in it. So waking up, eyes still closed and having that first thought be one supportive of pursuing a happiness in my day is a wonderful example of positivity in motion. 

Now the trick for all of us is to carry this imagery, this feeling, thought and express it throughout the whole of each day from moment to moment. It takes conscious effort, but not always. Sometimes being happy just simply is what it is. At other times it takes a little effort to embrace it despite the pandemonium. In any case, as I write this I am optimistic that initiating good thoughts from the very beginning (of anything) is a wonderful and powerful exercise to help activate the day/activity on a positive note. 

Now I realize there isn’t a guarantee that the first thing we’re always going to think about when we wake up in the morning is always going to be, “Oh, Happy Day!” , but it certainly worth a try. Isn’t it?

How can we begin our day in more than an ordinary fashion? Well, maybe placing a picture frame with a favorite quote or statement on your bed stand is a good place to start. Or, a related book with a great title that jumps out at you and inspires you as soon as you see it sitting there next to you. How about a sign above the toilet that says, “Good morning, Sunshine!”? Wouldn’t that be motivational to some degree?

Moreover, our first thought can be seasoned with all sorts of fun affirmational type words. Every day of the week can start off with something new and fun. It doesn’t have to always be mundane or the same. 

For example:

• Happy Sunday!
• Fantastic Monday!
• Wonderful Tuesday!
• Inspirational Wednesday!
• Super Thursday!
• Incredible Friday!
• Fabulous Saturday!

I want to think of it this way (and maybe you can too!); purposefully initiating positivity is a mindset that sets us up for success, at least in a certain capacity. And, that has to be a good thing. Otherwise, where is our focus? It’s one thing to get up and immediately be inundated with (caught up in) what has to get done that day and it’s another to start on a personal affirming high note and then navigate accordingly. Personally, I want every opportunity to approach the day for all the right reasons and with real purpose.

I guess, for me, anything that brings a little smile, laughter; sense of peace and calm is worth exploring and diving into on a regular basis. So that is the challenge this week, to seek out, embrace and/or accept anything which will help bring life back to center, keep us balanced and in a good place. I think many people need this. I want to remind every person to surround themselves with those persons, places and things that generate more positive energy and move us forward in our thinking and accomplishments.

Don’t just have a Happy Sunday or a Super Thursday. Make a point of making it a tremendous week, a magnificent month and a glorious year! Need I say more?

Go out there and enjoy yourself!

Cheers!

Vote for Positivity!

Vote for Positivity!

©Allen Merritt (2016)

Well, I did it!

I voted.

I felt strongly I had to get out there and do it this time. I don’t always participate in elections due to the fact I am not political. But today was another story and I did it. No matter what the outcome I feel positive about myself in making a choice that reflects more of what I want to see in the world, which is positive change. I do not support negative change or change through destruction, manipulation or self interest. I want the best for everyone even if I do not always agree. And this season of change was a hard one to consider. I do not know anyone who didn’t think so. For myself, I wanted to be THAT change I want to see in the world, as they say.

With that in mind, I am spending plenty of time lately thinking about what I like and don’t like, want and don’t want. More importantly, I am putting a positive spin into as many decisions as I can about how I am going to maneuver and navigate through life with the changes that are going on out there. What better time to do such an assessment!

This political season has caused me to remember and consider more on the importance of balance, purposeful peacefulness and healthy compromise. I shook my head and rolled my eyes more times than I care to count over the last 18 months. One thing I can honestly say is I am glad it is not me on that stage.

In any case, all of the political races I have seen advertisements for are teaching me what I do not want to see. I think this is an important thing to understand when it comes to creating both a positive personal and community space. That is to recognize what you do and don't want to see when you see it happening before your eyes. To clarify, I remember seeing someone get addicted to opiates over time. I think it greatly and negatively impacted their life, but it also had an affect on mine, because I was seeing something I did not want to see in myself. To this day I hold no interest in any kind of drug. I see the same thing when I observe excessive intoxication. I realized I did not see any fun in the idea of getting sick, so I avoid drinking on that level. I use these personal analogies to bring home the point that sometimes we witness situations that teach us what we do not want in life. We have relationships with people that teach us what we don’t want in a relationship or what we do not want to become in a relationship. Negative situations offer us a positive outcome in this way.

So here we are on another election day and I feel good. I voted and whether or not it really makes a difference overall doesn’t matter. What does make a difference is how I personally and positively am affected by my efforts.

I believe if you are conscientious in your decision making, then there is a good chance you will move toward a better place and a happier one at that.  So in the end I vote for anything that encourages the best in everyone and everything. I think that is a goal in life worthy of achievement. I vote for the positive. I vote for peace, joy and happiness. I vote for the opportunity to pursue these things without prejudice or discrimination. I vote to build people up and not tear them down. I vote for surrounding yourself with those that truly care about you and your situation, people who will actually participate and engage in your life, as well as support it; anything less than this needs reconsideration or re-direction.

I hope everyone enjoys their week and reflects on the voting process and remains prayerful and mindful to any and all voting outcomes. Regardless, let’s make a resolution to stay positive!

Vote for positivity, potentiality and possibility!

Cheers!

Resolving the Question Mark!

Resolving the Question Mark!

© Allen Merritt (2016)

Today is a celebration. Yahoo!

Today I celebrate writing my 101st blog to date.  

When I first started On a Positive Note I didn't know where it would lead or how far I would go with it. But here we are and I am still writing. I keep finding more and more topics to think and ponder on in regards to promoting a positive lifestyle. I suppose in some regard living positively might be considered an alternative lifestyle in that it is counter intuitive to what society would try and force upon us. In some corners positivity is embraced while in other corners we are faced with authoritarianism or negativity. I don’t think there is an all inclusive and/or absolute answer to our moment to moment state of being. Every human being is faced with the reality of working with what is going on in their lives right now. For me, that is the glory of thinking with a positive attitude. We have a choice and a chance. And, it's a personal experience, a growth opportunity as well a type of therapy. So in looking back over the last year and a half, I can only say, “Wow!” and proceed with celebration.

Who knew I would have so much to say?

Simultaneously, I am not surprised. For me it began with interest and passion followed by commitment and discipline.  Because I am an only child, a loner type and have great interest in human behavior and better life outcomes I made the decision to focus on making life better instead of finding excuses to never move forward.  

I have to admit that it has not always been easy, especially when everyday distractions, life and people get in the way. But what better moments are there to work on positivity challenges then in the heat of it all?

I see life as a question mark and positive living alters that into an exclamation mark. 

With that in mind, I have been spending time evaluating the year. It's a good time to do so as we come closer to another year’s end. Evaluation, reconsideration, new planning and more helps define and refine our direction. It means taking stock and making time to sit openly in wonder and consideration.  It means trying hard to suspend judgment on self and others long enough to equitably assess the future and take the next steps toward meeting our goals. 

That is where I'm at this week.  I want to remember that life is about selection and not rejection. It’s about accepting and embracing who I am, what I am and what I want to become and what works best for me while being considerate of others. At the same time, without being rash in my decision making or irrational in any thought processes, it’s about who is being considerate and accepting of me.

Part of my evaluation is looking back at my year and my body of work as objectively as possible. I’m making decisions on my attempts to achieve and who should and shouldn’t be a part of that process. How do I seamlessly turn things around from a question mark into an exclamation point? This comes down to what situations and persons are finding value and worth in me and my work. Where is support stemming from? One has to be careful not to let emotional attachments get in the way of making new decisions and paving new pathways. It is almost like a purge or spring cleaning or sorts. I believe many folks think on these things as they reach a certain point in their life or their year while they make effort to fortify who they are and enhance results and accomplishments that benefit themselves and others. So with every question mark comes an opportunity.

Here’s is something else to consider: we don’t always know what is best for ourselves, so taking stock provides a chance to keep us on a better track toward being the best we can be. 

Ultimately, I see this as being true to you. Just be you. Be yourself because an original is worth a heck of a lot more than a copy as some might say. Listen to your instincts, your still small voice or intuitions.  Don’t needlessly talk yourself out of anything or be lazy in the moment to the point of not doing anything at all. Face your questions.

• What are your questions in life today?
• Where are those question marks coming from?
• How will you turn them around and find an answer?
• How will your question become an exclamation point?

This is the direction I want to think about as we celebrate life, loving and living this week…and over 100 blogs!

Go out there and have a celebratory week! Question nothing and question everything. 

At the end of the day, make sure your question becomes an exclamation!

Yes! Yes! And Yes!

Cheers!