Creating Positivity is a Choice!

Creating Positivity is a Choice!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

When was the last time you did something that made you feel really good?

Not long ago, I found myself thinking about this.

I bet some folks will remember several moments while others would say they couldn’t remember.

If we are responsible for creating our lives, our own happiness and making the most out of each instant by bringing joy to the table, then it makes sense to concentrate on bringing those feel good moments to life whenever we can. The key is in knowing and accepting it as a possibility, as well as taking initiative.

We choose our outlook. We choose our perspective.

We are able to create our own positivity and the best place to start this is by starting!

Take a step forward. Open a door. Crack the window. Call it whatever you like, but begin your creation. Accomplish a small goal and work your way up to another one. In doing so, check in with yourself and see if you do not find a sense of appreciation for what you’ve accomplished and also feel better about yourself and your ability to achieve a positive result.

For example, if you want to write a book, start with developing an idea, taking notes and writing a little here and there. Before you know it you will have a couple pages and then a couple more. That is how I began writing my positivity blog. I made a decision to write one a week. After a year I had a little over 52 blogs posted. When I looked back on it, I really felt good about having done that. I accomplished something and it was a positive step forward. It created a positive energy I could continue to tap into.

The final result is a learning experience and greater faith in yourself; in finalizing a project and reaching a goal. Nothing has to be perfect nor does it have to throw loads of cash at you. Success is not defined by money and/or fame. It is the ability to take your ideas and work with them, express them and turn them into something whether it be good, bad or ugly. The point is to make effort.

Currently, I am in the process of taking some research I’ve done and creating a one man play based on it. I have gone so far as to compile the notes and information, write the story, edit it, edit it again, cut out pieces I can live without to meet the time restrictions given me, got the costume and props together, learned the lines and am trying to get it up on its feet to present in a week and a half at a fringe festival in front of a live audience. It will be the first time I have performed it.

It makes me feel good and I experience more positive energy encircling me as I move forward with each step. It takes a little work. But putting my creativity out there, giving it a go and sharing it with others is bound to make me feel greater about myself and my life in the end. I look forward and am excited to test the waters. And when it is finished, I will have accomplished something. I may take it to the next level. I may work on a different project. In any case, I will experience more positivity because I created it on my own.

I believe, everyone has the capability of doing this.

Creating your positive happy space is not limited to large projects. Our happiness and outlook may be as simple as showing appreciation for something every hour of the day. It may be in our effort to share a compliment once a day to support others. Our ability to increase our positive mental status is abundant and happens in many ways. Find something you want and/or are passionate about and focus on creating it every day and it will grow.

The great thing about growing your positivity garden, so to speak, is that you are not the only one who benefits. And in the end, when you remember, think back on it, you will smile and know that all is good. Plus, positivity becomes second nature and automatic. You can handle anything and do so calmly, coolly and collectively.

Have a wonderful week feeling your best by attending to all that is positive and good.

Create those positive vibes and manufacture positivity!

Turn that lemon into lemonade!

It is our decision and our choice to do so…for the benefit of ourselves and the whole.

Cheers!

Nostalgia: Snapshots of the Past!

Nostalgia: Snapshots of the Past!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

Everyone is fascinated with taking photos…of everything. “Selfies” continue to dominate our picture taking. No doubt, the next level down from a “selfie” is capturing our food and drinks in a restaurant followed by persons, places and things we come across in our daily adventures.  This is the epitome of nostalgia.

The result is: Positivity is alive and well.

One can see it in past endeavors and experiences such as thinking back on memorable events (established and created memories), past photographs, music, saved cards and letters and old videos. It is also found in our closets and treasure chests filled with clothes we used to wear and keepsakes we have since stored away for just the right moment to accidentally on purpose stumble upon. All of which may bring a smile to our face. It is like opening a time capsule. This is a good thing. It's fun!

Getting nostalgic is one way to describe this. We re-visit the past not to live in it, but to be enhanced and enriched by it; to re-connect with ourselves and others in some way. There is a reason why memorabilia is so valuable to us.

The past comes alive again when we run across someone we used to interact with after many years or when we go through our rolodex and are drawn to give someone a call for which we have had little to no contact with in ages…a blast from the past moment. I find it fun to check in on people from time to time. This fills my soul with a sense of gladness and appreciation both of which lead to creating positive energy and space in the world. After all, people come into our life for a reason even if it is only for a season!

I was thinking how wonderful it is to get nostalgic. I feel benefitted by it in many ways. Additionally, I believe it is the root system which continues to be watered by our everyday journey through life, loving and learning.

Without nostalgic trinkets we would never know anything about what lies ahead or how to move forward, because we would have no reference for which to go by. In other words, we’d be faced entirely with nothing but unknowns. And while the future is unknown, we at least have some experience to guide us by looking into our past and remembering aspects of it passed down by those who came before. Nostalgia means standing on the shoulders of giants! If nothing else, it reminds us we have the ability to push through to the next chapter despite any uncertainties and unknowns.

An article in Scientific American discusses nostalgia as it relates to feeling more vital, serving a positive function in our lives to help improve mood and mental health. It speaks to it as…, “a psychological immune response that is triggered when you experience little bumps in the road.” ¹

We want to feel good. We want to feel that positive energy flow through our body.

The Huffington Post describes nostalgia as, “far from being a feeble escape from the present,” but rather “a source of strength, enabling the individual to face the future.” It helps encourage a sense of calm, counters anything negative and encourages well-being. The H.P. article also proposes the following as it relates to nostalgia. It “strengthens approach orientation, raises optimism, evokes inspiration, boosts creativity and kindles pro-sociality and compassion.”²

Now, this conversation can’t ignore our past negative memories. Every person certainly has their fair share of experiences, but even those teach us to grow. They remind us what we don’t want. Teach us what not to do. Some of the past we learn to let go of so it does not hold us back. They elicit responses not to repeat mistakes. More importantly, I think it aides in promoting a better tomorrow.

In short, positivity lives in our past, present and future. We just have to tap into it more often to reap its benefits. 

Take a look into your memory banks, scrapbooks and photo albums and see if it doesn’t give you a good feeling and stir up some positivity for you!

So go ahead and take the selfie! Make some memories!

Have a fun week!

Cheers!

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-nostalgia-is-good-for-you/ (Viewed on 8/13/2018)¹

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-nostalgia-makes-us-happy-and-healthy_us_5859bda4e4b04d7df167cb8d (Viewed on 8/13/2018)²

If It’s Meant to Be, It’ll Be, so Just Let it Be!

If It’s Meant to Be, It’ll Be, so Just Let it Be!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

I’ve been hearing this song on the radio for a little while now and my ear is always drawn to it. It’s an uplifting song. The chorus begins with, “If, it’s meant to be, it’ll be, so baby just let it be…”

I feel it a positive message applicable to every aspect of our lives.

Letting things go and allowing things to simply be isn’t a new message, but there is always a discussion on what it takes to get there and what are the means to do so.

Sometimes I purposefully go with the flow just to see what will happen. For example, On Monday I made a trip in Los Angeles to run errands, attend a class and do whatever. I had four names on my list I could call and see if they were available to hang out. I decided not to call anyone until all my errands were done. I made the first call and got a voice mail. I made the second call and they picked up, but they were out and about with someone else. The third call also went to voice mail and the fourth call I made asked if they could call me back in an hour, which never happened.

For me, it was kind of nice to put it out there and see if anything would come about. I was perfectly okay with whatever would happen. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be, so just let it be, so I headed toward the beach thinking I would enjoy that. A few hours later the first call I made returned and was free to visit for a little bit. As it turned out I was only a couple miles away, so it worked out really well. That’s the way it works out sometimes if we are open to the universal possibilities.

My spirit was happy and positively enlightened to make at least one connection on my visit.

Positive outcomes are enriched by our ability to accept, embrace and allow ourselves the chance to enter into the possibilities as they arise. Not everything we do in life needs to be planned out or scheduled to the enth degree. Spontaneity brings happy little surprises creating long lasting memories.

I looked up “meant to be” on line using Wikitionary and the result was, “destined to exist.” Wow. That has a lot of spirit and connotation wrapped up in it if you think about it. No amount of negativity can shut that concept down, because it refers to the idea of it’s supposed to happen. In other words, that which is meant to happen cannot be deterred from happening, no matter what. How positive a thought is that! It’s pretty cool, if you ask me.

Ultimately, we should remain open to all possibilities, allow ourselves to be more spontaneous in following them. Be still and know everything is okay because if it is supposed to be, it will be.

It’s something to think about.

Plus, it easily rolls off your tongue. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be, so just let it be. And when you do, you are more peaceful and content and appreciative for all that is.

Enjoy your week going with the flow and living life on a positive note.

Cheers!

Celebration of Leadership!

Celebration of Leadership!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

I spotted the back of a tee shirt a gentleman was wearing this morning which read, “The Celebration of Leadership.” As I contemplate more and better ways to express positive examples toward living, loving and learning, I thought this was a nice topic to approach.

Now, this is as good a week as any for me to consider it as I witness folks setting examples, helping and teaching children many lessons while having fun and celebrating during vacation bible school. There is a lot of energy, enthusiasm, encouragement and positivity.

Strong, honest, good, encouraging and positive leadership is a vision to behold. It is something many ought to strive for if for no other reason than others are watching and waiting. They need model examples of how to improve, achieve and accomplish happier circumstances for which to live by. Some are self initiating, others need help.

Why do I say that? The reason is because it is evident from taking in the overwhelming amounts of information thrown at us each day that people are hurting. They give up and end their own lives. Others act out their pain in such a fashion as to hurt others. Some of those individuals are overcoming and winning their battles while others are not. And when we are not getting past our trials, healing becomes our prime focus. We aim to get over “it”.

My thought on this is what if we were to focus on healing first? Sort of a heal as you go and already be somewhat ready to win. How can we do that? We prepare. We train our minds and spirits by filling and surrounding ourselves with all that is good.

Of course, there are many ways to believe and achieve, but it occurs to me for many people it begins or began with those that set the example, provide leadership and guidance. Beyond our parents, teachers and fellowship circles/communities who are our true leaders? Maybe it is the one(s) that help us and others to grow and blossom into everything we can be.

Leaders are not necessarily the ones who hold leadership positions or are the authoritarians as evidenced by today’s political circumstances. I would dare say many do not see good leadership in those arenas. Angry and reactionary words spewing forth in tweets, texts, emails, media interviews and for which are blasted all over the papers do not reflect a positive approach to solving anything or moving forward in any way. This approach is destructive and damaging. How can anyone celebrate this kind of leadership?

When I think of strong leadership skills worthy of celebrating, I think of the following assets.

Encouragement

Nurturing approach

Listening

Kindness

Sense of care

Appreciation

Gentility

Willingness to give

Trustworthiness

Respectfulness

Empathy

This list can go on with many more positive attributes, but these certainly point us in the better direction.

There are many articles and publications available to provide information on what it means and how to become an effective leader (see links below), but the purpose I propose today is more about the importance of positive attributes in leadership of any kind.  

Personally, I believe positivity is the best approach to helping ourselves and others. 

Interestingly, many of the positive qualities I speak of happen to be the same ones depicted in effective leadership. Everyone wants to feel good and on the right track, don’t they?

So as we think about the leaders in our lives and the leadership attributes we put forth, can we also consider how the impact and effect of those attributes land on ourselves and others and make alterations toward improvements as needed? Can we be conscientious toward how other people feel and what their needs are and not be entirely centered on self?

Moreover, let’s find reasons to put forth the best in positive qualities toward better outcomes. Therein we’ll find a reason to celebrate all our lives more abundantly.

Have a great week celebrating every aspect of who you are!

Cheers!

http://www.tbae.co.za/blog/the-importance-of-a-positive-attitude-for-team-leaders/

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-leadership-skills-2063782

The “Sit Around & Do Nothing”!

The “Sit Around & Do Nothing”!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

My mind is usually going 99.9 miles an hour; ideas flying in, out and around bouncing from this to that. I am always taking notes and scribbling down thoughts and ideas as a result. I think this a good thing since I am a creative type and such activity usually makes me happy. Score one up for positivity in motion.

For me, the idea of sitting down and doing nothing amounts to reading a book or watching mindless television, which is actually me doing something. At least there is some kind of mental processing going on there simply by taking it all in.

I remember my mother asking me from time to time, “What are you thinking?” To this I would answer, “Nothing.” Her response was, “It is not possible for you to be thinking about nothing.” However, for me, I believe it was true. I could literally sit there and daze out, space out and think about nothing. Oh, sure, something might pop into my mind or I might daydream, but in essence, I could sit there and not think about anything in particular. My mind would go blank for a while. 

This reminds me of meditation and Buddhist philosophy of emptying one’s self and cultivating aimlessness.

I bring this up because I recently took a little road trip which began with a job. Following that I made my way to visit various family and friends I had not seen in a long time. Since I seldom take vacations, this was a great opportunity to combine work, visitation and a get a little time off simultaneously. I was feeling the importance of making time and taking time to share quality moments with those I care about considering how time flies by so quickly and life being shorter with each passing day.

Anyway, my first stop was in Oklahoma. We sat there, talked and watched television without any plan. At first it was a little odd, because I am not used to sitting there and doing nothing at all. My body thinks it should be accomplishing something. It takes a little discipline to not do anything.

This continued on the second leg of my trip to Arkansas. I sat and literally did nothing but sit there for 5 days. In fact, my family members made comment about the idea of doing nothing and I told them it was fine with me as I did not get to do it much. And, little by little as time went by I adjusted to moving forward without any plan or forethought. I visited and spoke as it made sense to. I sat there, read a book, watched television, gazed out the back porch window and literally observed life moving outside with critters buzzing around, locusts screeching, trains passing, lightening flashing and grass growing.

Downtime and relaxation is the idea of taking time to stop and let go for a while. This is what doing nothing should be about as opposed to doing nothing to be lazy.

There are many positive benefits to this. It gives us a chance to chill out, breathe and practice mindfulness, relieves our stress, improves our internal voice (intuition), helps to ground us in truth and reality and aides in getting in touch with our real emotions. ¹

We experience stillness and silence and less over-stimulation and desensitization. We enhance the quality of our lives by taking some time to sit around and do nothing.

There appears to be a certain sense of healing our depleted systems by doing nothing. Therefore, it is important to purposefully and intentionally making time to do this "nothingness".

I found an article worth sharing conveying some of these benefits. It states, “…reduced heart rate, better digestion, improvements in mood, and a boost in overall emotional well-being – which, of course, affects everything on a biochemical and physiological level, thereby serving as a major deciding factor on whether or not we fall ill, and/or remain ill. Mental downtime also replenishes glucose and oxygen levels in the brain, and allows our brains to process and file things, which leaves us feeling more rested and clear headed, promotes a stronger sense of self-confidence, and instills within us a deep trust in life."² 

Score another point for positivity in motion!

So the next time you find yourself sitting around and doing nothing, take a moment to treasure the opportunity to do so, because it offers life enhancing elements to come alive in you. Here is a mantra you can remember as you sit and breathe.

Breathing in, I do nothing

Breathing out, I let go³

Have a great week thinking about all the positive possibilities of sitting around and doing nothing all the daylong!

Cheers!

https://yogisurprise.com/surprisingly-great-benefits-of-doing-nothing/¹

https://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/06/01/the-benefits-of-doing-nothing/²

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/lilian-cheung-dsc-rd/benefits-of-doing-nothing_b_999264.html³

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer!

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

July is that time of year when people are settling into getting out and about on vacations, weekend trips, barbecue get-togethers and what not to celebrate summer living, life and each other. People head to the lakes, go camping, have family reunions and simply do what they can to get away from it all, escape and pretend all is wonderful in the world by not focusing on anything that seems wrong.

Take advantage of the opportunity to vacate from the world as you know it  even if it’s over long weekends and mini celebrations. It helps you let go and possibly recharge. What can be more positive than that?

I did this once in 1994. I needed to get away from everything and everyone. I decided to go the extreme and took off for Africa, just me, my pup tent and supplies.

It was an amazing experience. Some places I ended up were frightening, but overall the adventure was one of a life time. My soul needed it for positive restoration/rejuvenation.

These days I do not get moments like that as trips and vacations are too costly now, but I try to take advantage of every moment that I get to go to another city (even if it is work related) to get out into a new environment and drink in its spirit and revitalize some of those positive aspects I need to find my peace.

As July 4^th approaches, everyone I can think of in this country will be celebrating for one reason or another. Fireworks burst all over the place and we are reminded of so many things related to being American. However, I think it’s just as good a time as any to remember our humanness, our vulnerabilities as well as our abilities to overcome and build on our resilience to persevere and persist despite the everyday grind.

Everyone celebrates differently and in their own way, no doubt. For me as I think of this I think about celebrating life as a gift and a blessing.

Positivity in motion is found in not talking ourselves out of appreciating and being grateful for the bounty we have as opposed to being miserable on worrying about what we don’t have. 

Importantly enough is stopping and enjoying ourselves a bit. Nothing new with anything being said here, but it is good to be reminded.

I am about to take off on a little work related trip that will extend into a little extra time to visit with people I care about and love. I don’t get to do that often, as I mentioned before, because it means taking time off, having the funds and removing myself from the work place for a while. You know, that disconnecting from society and the world.

I look forward to seeing, visiting, laughing, playing and simply spending time with the ones I don’t get to see very often (aunts, uncles, cousins, adopted family, friends from back home, etc.) And, while it is not exactly a vacation, it is quality time and time well spent; even though I will be driving all over the place over a period of a couple of weeks.

This is where I can gain some positive energy and reconnect with myself, my spirit and find more positivity for which to share with everyone else. We all need this time to celebrate and appreciate. I know I am ready for it. How about you?

Let’s get out there and take advantage of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer in the best way each of us can.

So enjoy the summer. Enjoy the weekends. Enjoy the vacations. Enjoy every moment.

Here is that old Nat King Cole song Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer! to help kick off the festivities!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MpHJT8O4tI

Enjoy living life on a positive note!

Cheers!

What Are You Putting Behind You?

What Are You Putting Behind You?

By Allen Merritt ©2018

I have fallen short of the glory over the last year in getting my behind down to the gym. It is not that I never go, it’s just I have allowed activities, travel and a bit of laziness prevent me and/or talk me out of doing that for which I really should be doing. Exercise is important to me and I love it, actually. I don’t mind going. Yes, it’s hard, but I feel better for having done so.

Recently, on one of my part time jobs as a standardized actor patient, I was asked to participate in an assessment starting by tracking what I eat for three days, which I logged for seven. A follow up physical assessment took place about three weeks later and then two more weeks down the road was the final results.

I think it was all a good thing to help remind me the importance of not allowing myself to fall behind the eight ball with my fitness and health. I am not a gym rat or a buff bunny by any stretch of those terms. I could lose a few pounds and build up my endurance, no doubt. I wont deny it.

However, right off the bat I noticed a couple of things about the program that bothered me. One was the program the students were using insisted that I was completely sedentary. 

What? No way! 

I know what sedentary is as I live with someone who is the epitome of it having dementia related Alzheimer’s and needing care to take care of all basic needs, including getting up out of bed and walking around for exercise and the occasional car ride to get out of the house and go somewhere public. He is 82 earlier this week. HE is sedentary.

I had to explain to the students that I was extremely active with all that I do. The only difference was I no longer had a regular “gym” routine. It was because of that the program decided I was sedentary. I decided to stay positive and prove the program wrong, which I did when it came to the physical assessment. I performed well for a person of my age.

My point with this is that these by the numbers computer programs telling you where you are at with health and fitness are not accurate by any means. They may help predict future outcomes and caution us to do better, but they are not accurate. Even the BMI is not right. If I followed these programs to the letter, I would have to weigh in at 108 pounds to be fit and practically eat nothing over 1200 calories a day, if that!

The positive approach is be sensible and look at yourself realistically.

In the end I felt good about myself, because the students took all this into consideration once I brought it up and actually made a better assessment and performed well in their tasks.

Personally, it helped remind me to take time and make time to get a little concentrated exercise. The last couple of weeks has seen me re-emerge at the gym; slow and steady and not over doing anything. It also helped me focus on getting back into a little weight training before cardio.

Some of my tactics in going the extra mile include gym mantras. Say I am on the treadmill and trying to keep myself going to reach mile 3. I might mentally play a mantra in my head over and over again for a few minutes, something like, “You can do it, yes you can! You can do it, you’re the man!” Maybe that is a bit corny, but it helps cheer me on.

I try not to keep my eye on the clock too much or looking at how much time and distance I have gone every other second. When I do look, I take note of how far and how long I have traveled and remind myself right then and there that I have all of that behind me now, which helps me continue to persevere and move forward to complete the daily goal, whatever that might be.

In the end, when I am finished, it feels good to say I put 4 or 5 miles behind me and such- and-such calories were burned. There is a sense of accomplishment toward positive well being.

It’s a good metaphor to use in more ways than just exercise and fitness. You can use it at work to track yourself and say this is what I put behind me today. I actually completed this or that; time to move on to another task or goal. Or what emotional baggage have you put behind you today? What have you let go of today? It's all the same and demonstrates positivity in motion. 

With that thought, it may be a good question to ask or tool to use.

I think it is a positive step in the right direction for living life on a positive note.

Think about it! “What did I put behind me today?”

Don't forget, once you put something behind you, don't look back. Move forward. 

Have a great week!

Cheers!