Moving Focus Away from the Negative

I've been doing a lot of thinking recently about how difficult it is for many of us to turn our thoughts away from all of the negativity in the world and move our focus to the positive. It's so much easier to get up in arms about those things that make us angry. Why do people behave this way or that, why war, why discrimination, why hate. How often, relatively, do we think about all of those things that we love in life? All of those things that make us happy? I believe it is true that we attract certain things in our lives based on the way that we think and feel. So, I must believe that if I want love and peace to flourish, then I must focus on love and peace and feel that love and peace in my heart.

It is a difficult shift to make. Especially for me, I love to get pissed off about things and rant and rave. But recently, I find myself so overwhelmed by everything happening in government and people's reactions to politics, overwhelmed by a feeling of chaos and anger that is spreading throughout the world on all issues...I've become so overwhelmed by everything I see in the news and the fear-mongering and the propaganda, that to be angry would simply be destructive. I feel that I must turn off the TV and turn inward, reminding myself to "be the change" I wish for the world. To start with the individual. To take control of the only thing in life that I can control...me. And I will stand up for what I believe and continue to advocate for what I think is right, but perhaps my approach will be a little different.

I choose to spread a message of love, not hate. I choose to help, not to fight with all of my might (no violence). I choose to smile and reflect instead of yelling and cursing. It's a hard road, but I think it's a step in the right direction.