Tomorrow is the first day of the last month of 2020. I have heard people call the past several months “challenging, extraordinary, difficult, unusual, bizarre, and never-ending.” I am sure you have also heard people refer to the year in negative terms. There is certainly reason for the negativity, but let’s take these last days of 2020 and reflect on more positive responses to what has been happening. In an article last March about Leadership Strategy on the Forbes website, Benjamin Laker, an expert on global affairs for leaders, said “With millions of people in the world over entering isolation to fight against the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19, need for positivity becomes even more critical.” (Laker, 2020) This statement of positivity is even more true now, nine months later as we are still in the depths of this virus. If we go back to January, when I started this blog series, I mentioned discussing the greatest human needs using the Therapy of Thought philosophy I cover in my Uniqueness of You book (and soon to be online course) series. We have certainly faced some obstacles and difficulties since the initial announcements about the virus started to filter to the public in March. Maintaining your positivity during these trying times through techniques like affirmation and visualization (both of which are discussed in the Uniqueness of You series) is going to go a long way toward establishing your own positive attitude.
“Having a positive attitude can mean the difference between living a life full of joy and happiness and living a life full of depression and misery. Your attitude will determine what you will experience in life regardless of the actual circumstances. If there is one thing you can work on that will change your life, it is your attitude.” (Ngo, 2020) One way to maintain your own positive attitude is to encourage a positive attitude in others. A positive attitude can be contagious, just at the virus we are confronted with is contagious. Let’s strive to “infect” others with positivity rather than negativity. Maya Angelou said, “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” For more information on the Uniqueness of You and Therapy of Thought, please visit the following links to each of the three volumes in the trilogy: Volume I: I Want My Body Back Volume II: Your Unique Style of Fit Volume III: Self Esteem and Your Unique Style of Fit References Laker, B. (2020, March 13). How to be Positive in the Coronavirus World. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hillennevins/2020/11/30/is-anybody-listening-mlqh/?sh=4a0728d484ce Ngo, K. (2020). The Power of a Positive Attitude. Retrieved from Motivational WEllBeing.com: https://www.motivationalwellbeing.com/positive-attitude.html
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With the holidays fast approaching, fasting is probably not the topic you were thinking about, right? But let’s take a minute and think about the topic of fasting for a minute before we lose ourselves in turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie. What is Fasting? In my 2019 book, The Anti-Aging Effects of Fasting, I state that Fasting is Enlightenment and Enlightenment is an attitude captured by the phrase “Dare to know.” You no longer listen to the Nay-Sayers who are in your personal business. Enlightenment is aimed at liberating human beings from fear. Enlightenment is a therapy of thought that moves from the lack of understanding to a rebirth of freedom, wisdom, and the evolving of oneself. Fasting is a decision to abstain from food for a certain length of time to discover a self-connection of your subconscious mind that will reveal your true and authentic self-portrait. (Pullman, The Anti-Aging Effects of Fasting, 2019) This year the holidays look very different from past years. There will be far fewer large family gatherings because of the pandemic. States are recommending that people stay home and not celebrate in ways we are so familiar with. This is a good year to look at fasting during the holidays as a different, more centered way of celebrating ourselves. Fasting is a Path to Serenity and Inner Peace that allows you to probe deeper into your mental psychic and explore the inner workings of your mind, Serenity and Peace is certainly something we can use as 2020 finally draws to a close. According to an article by Racheal Link on the healthline website, there are eight health benefits of fasting. Those eight benefits, backed by science are:
______________________________________________________________ References Link, M. R. (2018, July 30). 8 Health Benefits of Fasting, Backed by Science. Retrieved from healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fasting-benefits Pullman, A. (2019, March 25). The Anti-Aging Effects of Fasting. Retrieved from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Aging-Effects-Fasting-Audrey-Pullman/dp/1091551383
People across the country are saying that the 2020 presidential election has been a significant source of stress in their lives. Experts have dubbed this “election stress disorder.” (Clark Fouraker, 2020) Nearly 70% of U.S. adults say the presidential election is a significant source of stress, according to the American Psychological Association's Stress in America survey this month, a dramatic increase from the 2016 election when 52% of Americans said the same. (Dastagir, 2020) There’s no doubt this has been a stressful year, with the pandemic and the election eating up time and mental health for every one of us. In my book, A Cool and Relaxing Life, I talk about the relationship between Mental Health Fitness and the Power of the Mind. Now is a good time to review some of those principals. ..When we get into a state of creative “flow,” our minds enter an optimal state of consciousness where we feel and perform our best. Our concentration is so focused that everything else falls away, and we lose our sense of time and self. The creative process reveals our true and authentic self that allow us to success in all aspects of life. (Pullman, Cool and Relaxed Life, 2018) Engaging in the creative process now is more important than ever. So much of the stress-inducing elements we are facing are beyond our immediate control. But we can control how we react to them. We can’t stop the election, the political posturing, the violence, the divisiveness, or the pandemic, but we do have control over our minds. Evaluate the information coming into our minds, and decide how to handle that information. The more positive our responses to the elements, the less stress we are likely to feel. Use the power of the mind to deal with the stress of life in 2020.
References
Clark Fouraker. (2020, November 2). Election Stress Disorder is Real. Retrieved from nbcnewyork: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/lx/election-stress-disorder-is-real-stop-doomscrolling-and-follow-these-tips-to-manage-your-election-anxiety/2700261/?amp Dastagir, A. E. (2020, October 28). Election 2020: Terrified to lose and afraid to hope. Retrieved from USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/10/28/presidential-election-stress-how-cope-anxiety-and-fear/6049521002/ Pullman, A. (2018). Cool and Relaxed Life. Independently Published. |
AuthorI am a Performance Enhancement Specialist with a background in Emergency Psychiatric Medicine and Community Addiction. Archives
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