Sunny Side Up - Staying Optimistic

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words;
keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors;
keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits;
keep your habits positive because your habits become your values; keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."
- Ghandi

This month our topic is Optimism. I'll admit that again this topic comes from what is going on with me. The topic of optimism came forwards as a gentle reminder this past week after having moments of what I learned in my master's program as "negative self talk" or "limiting beliefs" in regards to my 3-year anniversary of living life cancer-free. Understandably so, I get nervous or anxious for my bi-yearly exam. I forget momentarily about thinking positive and that this exam is a confirmation of being healthy and well.

We're faced with moments in life that provide opportunities for us to choose whether or not we want to take on a situation with a positive or negative mind set. What we choose often determines how we feel about the situation. I personally have found that when I choose the positive mind set things seems easier, lighter and more manageable. When my mind goes the negative route (which we are prone to do) the situation is bleak, frustrating and painful.

Having a positive view on life makes the day a little cheerier, more fun and happy. This doesn't mean we don't feel our sadness, anger or frustration. As a yoga teacher, one of the things I teach my students is to be present and to acknowledge how they feel in each moment. Yet, there are things we can do that can shift our mindset if we find that the conversation in our head is not an empowering one. My case in point, on the day I was told I had cancer I cried, got angry, frustrated, and sad and then it occurred to me- being upset, sad and angry was not going to fight the cancer. If I was going to beat this I was going to be positive, strong and look for the blessings this was going to bring. And here I am!

It is certainly easy to get wrapped up in doom and gloom. But it's our view of how we see things that make up our world. For me, I choose the bright and sunny, glass half-full, life is good view.

This month our topic is Optimism. I'll admit that again the topic comes from what is going on for me. The topic of optimism came forward as a gentle reminder this past week after having moments of what I learned in my master's program as "negative self-talk" or "limiting beliefs" in regards to my 3 year anniversary of living life cancer-free. Understandably so, I get nervous or anxious for my bi-yearly exam. I forget momentarily about thinking positive and that this exam is a confirmation of being healthy and well.

We're faced with moments in life that provide opportunities for us to choose whether or not we want to take on a situation with a positive or negative mind set. What we choose often determines how we feel about the situation. I personally have found that when I choose the positive mind set things seems easier, lighter and more manageable. When my mind goes the negative route (which we are prone to do) the situation is bleak, frustrating and painful.

Having a positive view on life makes the day a little cheerier, more fun and happy. This doesn't mean we don't feel our sadness, anger or frustration. As a yoga teacher, one of the things I teach my students is to be present and to acknowledge how they feel in each moment. Yet, there are things we can do that can shift our mindset if we find that the conversation in our head is not an empowering one. My case in point, on the day I was told I had cancer I cried, got angry, frustrated, and sad and then it occurred to me- being upset, sad and angry was not going to fight the cancer. If I was going to beat this I was going to be positive, strong and look for the blessings this was going to bring. And here I am!

It is certainly easy to get wrapped up in doom and gloom. But it's our view of how we see things that make up our world. For me, I choose the bright and sunny, glass half-full, life is good view.

Ways to Practice Optimism:


- Be aware of your thoughts. Let your negative thoughts pass, don't focus on them or engage in negative self-talk.
- Smile and laugh - A LOT!
- Increase your social activity. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way.
- Keep the big picture in mind. Distractions and pettiness can irritate you for the moment; never lose sight of your dreams and goals.
- Try to find the good in each situation.


One last note!
I feel compelled to take a moment, given I'm a survivor and it is breast cancer awareness month, to remind all of you women out there reading this that you practice those breast self exams every month. That is why I'm here writing you today. I'll be the first to admit they are scary, but the alternative (letting it go) can be even scarier.