Grab the Goodies!

Grab the Goodies!

By Allen Merritt (©2017)

How many times have you heard the words, “As soon as…; when…; or, if…” preceding a sentence and used in context of choosing to view life either positively or negatively? When do we decide to make things happen regardless? Why does the time always have to be perfect for us to move forward or make effort?

Last night I listened to a short presentation on choosing peace and refuting the idea of taking a negative stance or beating oneself up over nothing. If we open the eyes of our minds and heart, take a look around, we may find the time to move forward is right now. We may discover good things are abundant as are the opportunities.

No one needs a REASON to be happy.

No one needs a REASON to be peaceful.

The “When this happens, then I will do this or that” mentality only slows down and/or potentially eliminates possibilities to achieve. It creates a self-inflicted wound and brings about self-fulfilling prophecies, which leave us empty handed.

My experience with this comes from my mother. After listening to this mindset, one realizes such talk produces nothing fruitful. In fact, it serves only as an excuse for not giving it a go!  Negative thinking has a powerful nature about it toward interfering with goals and dreams. It stifles the ability to become…more. It stunts our growth.

Consider the following statements:

• I don’t deserve it.
• I don’t think I can.
• I don’t know how.
• I just can’t!
• Now’s not the right time.

No matter how big or small a thing it is we want to accomplish, we must recognize we have the innate ability to approach it positively. Or, at the very least, we can refute it.

• I deserve the best.
• I think I can!
• I’m not sure how, but I will try.
• I can learn.
• There’s no time like the present.

My goal this week is to propose an exercise for choosing the good. Let’s call it, “Grab the Goodies!”

First, we must decide there is a world of good out there. Then we have to surround ourselves with such goodness and experience it fully by working to identify every aspect of the good. We may even have a change of heart/perspective as a part of the process.

Start by checking out the surrounding environment. Find something good. Point it out to yourself. Then say, “That is good” followed by a smile and an affirmative head shake and then use the button of, “This is good!”

Sound simple? It is!

Sound silly? It’s not.

Searching for the positive (or good) is habit forming and becomes not only addictive but infectious to others. It helps to avoid jumping the gun, over reacting or speaking too soon, providing a chance for the positive to permeate the situation.

In some cases, finding the good may prove difficult at best. Think of the process as a scavenger hunt and seek out the buried treasure. One gem is all it takes to turn things around. Once found, grab it and hold on to it!

Think of the game as a sort of Halloween event of trick or treating.

Grab the goodies!

Look for the positive.

Make a better day.

We’ve nothing to lose by going for it now.

Imagine it. See it clearly. Place it in full view.

Grab those goodies. Give yourself a chance.  Don’t wait until "whenever". Do it now. What are you waiting for? 

Go out and have a great day harvesting all that is good and living your life on a positive note.

Cheers!