I fall flat into the temptation of negativity so often.
I can point out the issues and tell you all the things that are wrong—especially how others are missing this or that.
When there are glitches, cracks, and lack of preparation—it’s glaringly obvious to me.
This can be a gift if my mindset is to come alongside and be of help in finding the missing pieces and adding them. Or it can be a weight and a source of great frustration and an excuse to be pessimistic if I am not careful.
When we focus on the obvious it’s mind-numbing, addictive and briefly, we even can feel justified and almost happy in doing it. Yet, it destroys true joy.
It kills inspiration and our best flow of creativity.
There will ALWAYS be problems where there are people. Why would I ever want to focus my energy there? Yet, I’m tempted to often to go there.
Negativity is a dream killer.
It’s hard to be fully creative, inspired and living out the best version of ourselves when our minds are seeing through our own filter of black and white— and not in color.
“We can use our brain to change how we process the world, and that in turn changes how we react to it.” – Shawn Achor from his book, The Happiness Advantage
Dreams live in color, expectant beauty and a bit of the unknown all mixed together with faith. To be alive, to dream for the impossible, to be creative is to be vulnerable. It’s worth it friend.
If we live in what we know, we forget to keep dreaming. Never stop dreaming with God, the Creator of all things. The one who specializes in impossibilities.
Life, stresses, and responsibilities can eat up our creativity and even our dreams. Refuse this process!
I know it’s not easy and I get it. When there are a lot of changes of which you have no control over, or maybe certain things stay the same that you wish would change. Hold on.
Even when you feel lost, stuck, or confused, refuse to stop believing and dreaming. Refuse to give up, refuse to stop growing and determine that you will not let negativity win.
“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” – John Milton
You and I can “walk on water” just like Peter did. I’ve experienced it. Well maybe not actually walking on water, but close. I bet you have too.
That very thing that causes our hearts to pound, that makes us feel sick inside, and yet our purpose propels us forward. We find we can do more than we think, as long as God meets me there. This is “walking on water” so to speak, my friend. That is bravery at it’s best.
“I do believe that we all have a share in the writing of our own story.” – Madeleine L’Engle from her book, Walking On Water.
The only way to receive all God has for us is to refuse to stop believing no matter what we know, see, or experience. There is more!
Keep creating or doing whatever that thing is that lights up your soul.
Every morning as you look in the mirror say to yourself: “I Will Not Quit Until I’m Living The Life I Dreamed of.” – Bob Harrison
Let’s hold each other accountable to keep dreaming. To keep fighting negativity and spinning it around to work in our favor. Here are three things you can do that will help to release you from walking in negativity:
- Do not take ownership of other’s mistakes. Let go and move on.
- Stay in your lane and do what you are good at and let others do what they are good at, without faulting them for not being like you.
- Make up your mind to find the opportunity in every problem. You will find what you look for.
If you allow yourself to fall in the trap of negativity often, like me, then know you are not alone. However, let’s not stay there. Let’s challenge each other to forget, forgive, and keep moving forward with God’s help.
This is not even for the sake of others, Y’all. Of course, it will benefit others, but this is for you. This is for me. We will be much more content, creative, and happier and that is worth fighting for.
You with me? Can I pray for you and I?
Lord,
Help us to be helpers not enablers, and dreamers and creators, not dwellers in the obvious and the known.
Shift our perspective that we may flourish right where we are.
Let us choose happiness and joy right now, so we can see success in our future. Help us to see in vivid colors and believe in the impossible because you make all things possible. Help us to trust you more.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
In It With You friend,
Joelle Povolni
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NLT).
