Find the Good

It is so easy to find negatives in life today. They are everywhere. At work. At home. Within our friend circles. In the news and on social media (these two formats have mastered negativity and dread). Everywhere! It’s not hard to trip over a negative.

What if we all took a breath, a pause and then tried to find some nugget of positive in every situation. It may not be readily apparent. It may mean taking the high road. It may mean being the bigger person in a disagreement and allowing for bygones truly to be bygones. It may involve reaching out for help which should never be taboo or discouraged.

I challenge everyone to find the good.

Being negative and holding on to things is not healthy or productive. The National Institute of Health found a correlation between negative mental health and increases in risky health behavior (think smoking, drinking, and being a couch potato) and mortality.

As we get closer to September and Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, what if we all stop, take a breath and hit the positive button when hit with a setback, unusual circumstance, or difficult situation.

What if we try to seek to understand the other person’s perspective before inserting our own? What if we let more things go as inconsequential instead of being ‘big deal’ issues (after all, not everything can be a big deal issue but yet we have allowed this to creep into our lives)? What if we have a conversation if something is bothering us but then move past it?

What if we reach out within our networks, families, and work circles to just touch base and show compassion and care? Spread some needed positivity.

A quote by Wayne Dyer reminds us that we should “change the way you see things and the things you see will change.” The AHA of a different perspective.

What if we all took the time, even if for a brief pause, to find the good?

After all, if the Brothers Gallagher can figure this out, there is hope for the rest of us.

Pop culture references aside, if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues and is in need of support, direct the individual to an Employee Assistance Program, counselor or free emotional support at: https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp