The following is from an email I received from the Baraka Institute, a life coaching school here in Portland. I’m hoping the election will brighten our collective spirits, but my practice has brought me in contact with a lot of people who are really struggling right now. I hope this helps a few of you…
When all else fails!
How to stay positive when life feels negative
~Caitlin Williams, CPC
“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” –Albert Einstein
Life continually presents us with a complex mix of personal and universal experiences that are not only joyful and deeply satisfying, but on occasion enormously challenging. How might we fortify and renew our optimism and sense of serenity when the “enormously challenging” aspect seems to outweigh the “joyful and deeply satisfying?” How might we redirect our intention to focus on what is working in our lives as opposed to what isn’t working (quite as well)?
Here is what a few of Baraka Institute’s coaches had to share:
“Let yourself have extra long bubble baths. Do physically exertive tasks that give you a visual representation of accomplishment. Give and receive massages. Go out with friends you haven’t seen in awhile. Do fun things you haven’t done since you were in high school. Breathe. Go for longer walks. Take longer times to read books, cook that perfect meal, organize your house, work in your garden, and again, breathe.” ~ David D. Jones, Adult ADHD Life Coach
“When life feels overwhelming or negative, the first step is to pause and breathe and realize that this too shall pass. Pause for a moment and imagine that you are a solid, sacred mountain that can withstand even the fiercest storm and that no matter how hard the storm rages around you, you are solid and safe. Look at how you frame reality; how do you describe what you’re experiencing? What lens are you using? Are you only hearing and seeing what is negative around you? Begin by shifting your focus away from what you know to be terrible, and move your focus to the bright spots around you. Turn off the news. Reconnect with nature or spirituality or some other source of deeper connection that helps ground and renew you.”
~ Kim Tally- Life Coach
“When feeling overwhelmed or stressed, just Stop. Breathe, take a pause and ask yourself what’s going on? Listen to get a sense of what your heart is trying to convey. Your innate wisdom is there just waiting to lovingly support you in whatever ways you need. The answer you are seeking is right inside… A hot shower while imagining your stress just melting down the drain or a long walk while noticing the beauty of nature and its renewing impetus–whatever it may be, you know best what’s right for you. Honor that. See yourself through.”
~Corinne Michaels, Life Development/Transitions Coach
“Are you leading life or is life leading you? Sometimes asking the right question or seeking to find that question can be the spark that ignites creativity and passion despite a current challenging situation. Practice laughter daily, till it hurts. Consciously choose to surround yourself with vibrant, life-affirming people, rather than those readily attached to negativity and limited thinking.” ~ Feroshia R. Knight, Organizational Leadership Coach
Additional activities might involve joining a group with like-minded members that offer what you seek: hiking, cooking, dancing, spirituality, pets… being with others who share your vision, passion and perspective offers comfort, camaraderie, and the sense that we don’t have to struggle alone. Life will toss most of us at some point the occasional curveball; it’s in how we catch it and what we do with it that holds the key to maintaining alignment with what evokes feelings of positivity and deep satisfaction within each of us. As Kim Tally adds, “The yin and yang of life means there is always beauty and joy as well as ugliness and heartache. We don’t need to deny ugliness or heartache; on the contrary, to be healthy they need to be accepted as part of life. But the key is not to dwell there and let it shut out what is beautiful and joyous and meaningful.”