“The more we develop the habit of noticing goodness,
the more our own sense of well-being rises.”

~Brahma Kumaris

I believe that this thought is at the essence of leading a life filled with positivity, which is certainly a scare commodity after experiencing a great loss.

We often take for granted the small acts of kindness that others perform for us. Additionally, caught up in our own busy lives, we also don’t take the time to thank others for a job well done. When we disregard or don’t adequately recognize the “good works” that surround us every day, we negate the benefits we can derive from these positive actions that are streaming toward us.

So, if you are feeling sad or overly negative toward life because of your life circumstances, you may be building an impenetrable cloud around you. 

As in most instances, in order to make beneficial changes, it is important to take repetitive actions so that the new behavior can become ingrained into your consciousness. As you train your mind to become attuned to positivity, you will enhance your life as well as those who surround you.

What are some ways to turn towards positivity?  I say: Be C.R.I.S.P! 

C is for COMMIT

Commit to self-improvement. If you’re not happy with some facet of your being or your life circumstances, instead of complaining, commit to making beneficial changes to improve your life. Choose one thing you will do differently and commit to making that change every day for at least 30 days (preferably 60-90 days). This is the amount of time it will take to ingrain this habit in your daily life.

R is for RESPECT
Respect your body. Eat healthy foods. Exercise in whatever form fits your health and lifestyle. When the body is healthy and you feel good about how you look, this naturally influences your energy level and outlook on every aspect of your life. All our systems are interrelated and that is why it is important to focus on the mind/body connection.

I is for INCORPORATE

Incorporate creativity in your daily life. Paint. Sing. Dance. Write. Whatever it is for you, find an activity that brings you joy.

S is for STOP
Stop and smell the roses. You’ve heard the old saying, “all work and no play makes you a dull girl/boy.” It also drains you and creates an imbalance in your personal/professional life. Sometimes, you just need to STOP and take a deep breath! Remaining still can allow you to really see what is in front of you. Try meditation. Step away from your electronics. Learn to say “No” to things you don’t want to do (that aren’t necessary).

P is for PAY ATTENTION
Pay attention. Wake up … physically, mentally and emotionally. Beauty surrounds you every day. Learn to recognize it in all its forms. Live in gratitude.

These thoughts are part of living a spiritual life. For more of my thoughts on spirituality, you may be interested in my website dedicated to spirituality at the following link. 

http://www.UnderstandingSpiritualityFromAtoZ.blogspot.com

Ellen Gerst is a grief and relationship coach and workshop leader. She is the author of several books on both topics, including: Suddenly Single: How To Move From Loss To Renewal; Understanding Grief From A to Z; 101 Tips and Thoughts on Coping With Grief; Love After Loss: Writing The Rest of Your Story and Understanding Dating and Relationships From A to Z. For a full roster of her books, visit her website bookstore or Amazon. Connect with Ellen on Facebook to receive tips on how to find love after loss.