YES! Being positive isn't just a benefit to us, it's a benefit to everyone around us - both people we know and interact with, and other people we'll never even meet. SO important to think about the ripple effects of any energy we put out into the world, because they definitely exist, and those ripples touch many more people than we think. As the witches say (or, to be more accurate, the Wiccans), "Mind the Threefold Law ye should — three times bad an three times good." ("Rede of the Wiccae," attributed to Lady Gwen Thompson). Our energy is always moving through the world, influencing other people, and returning to us. Definitely more fun to be positive.
I’m a believer! And because I’m positive, I approach life and other people looking for positive interactions. So when there’s something good to see, I see that instead of the negative crappy thing. And that gives me a different set of choices than if I was hooked on the dark negativity.
So that shapes my reality. I feel that our baseline choice is saying “yes” to life or “no” and it makes a huge difference to how it turns out.
Hey, Tim! Thanks for coming by, and especially for this: "... our baseline choice is saying 'yes' to life or 'no' and it makes a huge difference how it turns out."
That makes me feel like belief requires a certain amount of openness and acceptance, as well as being able to see the positive (even when, perhaps, most others would see the negative).
Seems like a powerful combination: Optimism + Saying Yes.
I’m a believer! I think life would be a lot more miserable for me if I wasn’t. I am a firm believer that ALL IS WELL. That doesn’t mean that everything’s always great - there will always be difficulties. But I believe in the end everything will work out. “And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”
I usually have a similar mantra that everything will work out. (Eventually)
Thank you for sharing that line from Max Ehrmann's poem, "Desiderata." I had not read that before, but I am looking forward now to reading it more fully and closely.
There’s a lot of positive messages in tarot. I think your spread is perfect for optimism. New beginnings + staying on path / follow your heart = joy! Pretty sure you nailed it. 😍
And - yes! - that IS a pretty awesome tarot spread. Sadly, it's one I made up for the purposes of illustrating this post, but wouldn't it be cool if I pulled it for real next time?
Are you a tarot person? If you are, which card(s) speak to you about belief and optimism? Did I miss any?
Rabbit 🐇 holes are the best kind! In my experience, sometimes one can be easier than the other (belief or hope) but which one feels more tangible drastically changes based on the situation.
So true - which one comes into play often depends on the strength of your convictions. For me, hope comes into play when I’m less sure of something while belief is stronger when I really think the odds are in my favor. 😉
I've often wondered if our ability to believe in a better future is what actually creates that future. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Maybe believing isn't just a coping mechanism, but an active force shaping our reality.
This is a fascinating thought exercise, and also one to approach with caution. Like you, I wonder how much our expectations and beliefs might influence events in the real world. I believe they do make an important difference. But I’m careful not to stray into territory that risks accusing a person who has fallen on hard times of manifesting their own hardship through pessimism. There are layers to every situation. What I find so exciting about your idea, however, is the potential for optimism to somehow act as fuel for real change in our lives. I totally believe that’s possible!! Thank you for this.
I definitely agree - I too try and stay away from that. :) Some day I will actually write about being homeless. Someeeeeeeeeeday.
I really love this part of your comment: "the potential for optimism to somehow act as fuel for real change."
In working with my clients, I've found that this mindset change is so critical. Yes things can suck in the moment. Sometimes they can REALLY suck. But the moment we can find that optimism for the future, things change. Doors open. Our body and mind feel lighter.
I would love for you to write more about your story. I imagine it would be very illuminating. And I find what you’ve experienced with your clients so encouraging and inspiring. I think we always have more agency than we think we do.
So much more fun to be positive -- and think of all that positive energy going out into the universe!
YES! Being positive isn't just a benefit to us, it's a benefit to everyone around us - both people we know and interact with, and other people we'll never even meet. SO important to think about the ripple effects of any energy we put out into the world, because they definitely exist, and those ripples touch many more people than we think. As the witches say (or, to be more accurate, the Wiccans), "Mind the Threefold Law ye should — three times bad an three times good." ("Rede of the Wiccae," attributed to Lady Gwen Thompson). Our energy is always moving through the world, influencing other people, and returning to us. Definitely more fun to be positive.
Heartfelt, both post and song. Manifest positivity!
Hello, Liz!!
Thanks so much for swing by. Always love to "see" you! 🥰
So glad you enjoyed the song, and I love your call to arms: Manifest positivity, indeed! Huzzah!
I’m a believer! And because I’m positive, I approach life and other people looking for positive interactions. So when there’s something good to see, I see that instead of the negative crappy thing. And that gives me a different set of choices than if I was hooked on the dark negativity.
So that shapes my reality. I feel that our baseline choice is saying “yes” to life or “no” and it makes a huge difference to how it turns out.
Hey, Tim! Thanks for coming by, and especially for this: "... our baseline choice is saying 'yes' to life or 'no' and it makes a huge difference how it turns out."
That makes me feel like belief requires a certain amount of openness and acceptance, as well as being able to see the positive (even when, perhaps, most others would see the negative).
Seems like a powerful combination: Optimism + Saying Yes.
I’m a believer! I think life would be a lot more miserable for me if I wasn’t. I am a firm believer that ALL IS WELL. That doesn’t mean that everything’s always great - there will always be difficulties. But I believe in the end everything will work out. “And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”
Good morning, fellow Jamie!
I usually have a similar mantra that everything will work out. (Eventually)
Thank you for sharing that line from Max Ehrmann's poem, "Desiderata." I had not read that before, but I am looking forward now to reading it more fully and closely.
Looking forward to checking out this song.
That’s a pretty awesome tarot spread!
There’s a lot of positive messages in tarot. I think your spread is perfect for optimism. New beginnings + staying on path / follow your heart = joy! Pretty sure you nailed it. 😍
I hope you like the song!
And - yes! - that IS a pretty awesome tarot spread. Sadly, it's one I made up for the purposes of illustrating this post, but wouldn't it be cool if I pulled it for real next time?
Are you a tarot person? If you are, which card(s) speak to you about belief and optimism? Did I miss any?
I love the idea of believing even if sometimes I fall short of the act.
It can be hard to believe sometimes. Especially if you once believed, but then something shook that belief and made it feel ever so fragile.
Which makes me wonder about the relationship between belief and hope. Hmmm … now you’ve sent me down a new rabbit hole!! 🐇
Rabbit 🐇 holes are the best kind! In my experience, sometimes one can be easier than the other (belief or hope) but which one feels more tangible drastically changes based on the situation.
So true - which one comes into play often depends on the strength of your convictions. For me, hope comes into play when I’m less sure of something while belief is stronger when I really think the odds are in my favor. 😉
I've often wondered if our ability to believe in a better future is what actually creates that future. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Maybe believing isn't just a coping mechanism, but an active force shaping our reality.
Kind of puts a twist on the old term "Manifest Destiny", yah?
YEP!
This is a fascinating thought exercise, and also one to approach with caution. Like you, I wonder how much our expectations and beliefs might influence events in the real world. I believe they do make an important difference. But I’m careful not to stray into territory that risks accusing a person who has fallen on hard times of manifesting their own hardship through pessimism. There are layers to every situation. What I find so exciting about your idea, however, is the potential for optimism to somehow act as fuel for real change in our lives. I totally believe that’s possible!! Thank you for this.
I definitely agree - I too try and stay away from that. :) Some day I will actually write about being homeless. Someeeeeeeeeeday.
I really love this part of your comment: "the potential for optimism to somehow act as fuel for real change."
In working with my clients, I've found that this mindset change is so critical. Yes things can suck in the moment. Sometimes they can REALLY suck. But the moment we can find that optimism for the future, things change. Doors open. Our body and mind feel lighter.
I would love for you to write more about your story. I imagine it would be very illuminating. And I find what you’ve experienced with your clients so encouraging and inspiring. I think we always have more agency than we think we do.