Life Hack: Say Something Positive

Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? Just say something positive. Today’s emotional climate just doesn’t lend itself to positive thinking. I had a really difficult encounter today and it got me spiraling on everything I’ve written — because I wondered if it was helpful or negative.

Yesterday I jotted down a few ideas in my notebook about things in the world that could use improving.

One was how society and it’s PR boasts support for moms and women, but then after a woman spends 20 years being a good mom, society doesn’t welcome her back into the work field. That’s a problem. And, I mean, of course said mom would have to either keep her skills honed or go back to school for a refresher or whatever. I’m not asking for handouts, but I’m not seeing society living up to its projection either. Personally, I have always worked and feel like I fully have a grip on the emotional struggle of splitting time between my children and work. Trying to keep it all balanced is rough and I would like to validate that for any mom or single parent out there who has any doubts in themselves.

The other thought I jotted down was: What is up with climbers these days?! When I started climbing in 1990 everyone was so encouraging. The crags were fairly empty and it was all about being out in nature and telling tales of the epic journeys the trail blazers went on. As the sport grew, crags became over crowded and litter became ever present. What happened to Leave No Trace? Well, Leave No Trace became a nonprofit and I felt like I had to say, “TM” after saying it every time. Basically, things were no longer simple. The loss of simplicity was the rise of the ego. Many climbers who were older I think saw it also and some who were younger but maybe just naturally more humble. The unforgivable behavior in some I saw or had encounters with were stunning. I felt like instead of aiming all of that hostility at someone who believes in the same thing you’re fighting for, aim it at those who actually are bigots or sexist or litter-ers or worse, those who were trying to privatize public lands. These huge egos had a lot of feistiness. Aim it properly.

So — what do you think? Are these deserving topics or am I just complaining? Today I feel like I’m complaining. Today I feel like, yes, these things may be true and need work, but I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE.

To be honest, I see a lot of kindness among peers. I see people who are rescuing animals and bringing friends in hospitals company and reprieve and supporting each other. Maybe it’s challenging for me to write about some of those thingsbecause I only have my thoughts and, when I’m feeling down, I escape into funny or happy news reports or social media posts. There are definitely more funny or happy social media posts than news reports. The news can be really hard on my psyche.

So — some of my favorite award deserving funny and happy social media posts are from: The Asher House, National Wildlife, Austin Animal Rescue, Austin Animal Center, Austin Bat Refuge, Bat World Sanctuary, Austin Farm Sanctuary, Central Texas Pig Rescue, Sober Humor, and a bunch of comedian ones too. Okay, So — there are a lot. There are a lot of good people doing a lot of good things… and a lot of people being pretty funny about the stuff that just doesn’t make a lot of sense in the world right now. Why is it so hard for me to not be so general about it? Why can’t I elaborate on those things?!

I think I need to stay small with the things I can be positive about and quit trying to solve world problems that I am obviously making little or no change with. Even with my neighbors — I’m the only one on my block with a wildlife certified yard. Don’t get me wrong, I walk and ride a decent amount so I am happy to report I see other yards with the sign too! And some acquaintances — I tried to show caring for a friend with an alcohol problem who saw a mutual friend die of alcohol related causes, but he said, “You don’t know me”. And that was the last I exchanged words with him.

However, yesterday I was driving home from somewhere and I’ve been especially happy with my old car that has manual transmission. I sought out exactly this to be honest. At the stop light he yelled out his window at me, “Hey, is that a 6 speed?”

“Yep!” I replied. He gave me a big smile and a thumbs up. The light turned green, I turned left and off he went.

Then there was a day I went to yoga — I don’t really ever talk to anyone because I feel so much older than them and after class it looks like I’ve jumped in a pool. But a person came up to me as I was parking my bike and made note of my jams.

“I thought someone was out here playing music,” he said with a big smile. “That’s cool, right, music while you ride.”

I like the smiles and thumbs up. Especially since I haven’t been very social since the pandemic started and I lost a friend.

I’m grateful too for the dog walkers in the hood that wave back at me and smile or ask me how I am. It really is the little things. I never want my writing to feel negative or ungrateful. These are all tidbits — parts of a whole. There are so manythings I’m grateful for and a fair amount of kindnesses I see happening out there in the world. So many. I want to write about those. I want to share compassion and joy. I have some learning to do, but even as I reflect upon things “society” could improve on, know that I know there are those out there already practicing those good deeds and they are seen. I’m not inventing anything, I’m just reiterating the ideal that has been put forth. I try to live up to it — and I recognize all those who are as well.

Saying positive things is like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Yes, there are many things that need improving. But if you find yourself getting down about it, remember you can say something positive. Even if you thank your feet and legs for holding you up, or tell someone you are grateful for them. Hold yourself in a sacred space and tell yourself you are grateful for you from your tiny little cells to your big ‘ol eyeballs.

Cheers to you!