I found this post on Intent.com inspiring so I thought I’d share it with you.
http://intentblog.com/5-keys-to-stay-positive-in-challenging-times/
Situations in our lives can be challenging and difficult, but just as our attitude matters, the people we surround ourselves with each day can make a huge difference in our outlook. If you have someone in your life who consistently drains away your energy and enthusiasm, decide how you can move away from the relationship or end it.
How do you go about surrounding yourself with positive people?
Tap into groups who share your interests. People, who are just as energized about a particular topic as you, are great to spend time with, especially if you feed each other’s enthusiasm through creative idea sharing and supportive communication. Look into community organizations, continuing education classes and social media to find groups that share your passions.
Make time for friends. After a rough week of highs and lows, there’s nothing better than spending a few hours relaxing and laughing with friends who accept you for who you are and love you anyway! You’ll leave feeling energized, upbeat and supported. Spend as little time as possible with people who make you feel bad about yourself. You’re too busy for that nonsense.
Pick up the phone. We all have those friends who we could talk to for hours and never get bored. Call them. Email them. Schedule lunch.
Be a good friend. Call it karma or a lesson dating back to preschool. When we play well with others, they usually will return the favor. Avoid gossiping about friends behind their backs. This one is hard for many of us (me included), but it’s an important goal to work toward if your friendship is important to you. Gossip has a way of driving a poisonous knife into the heart of a friendship and creates distrust between you and the person you are sharing gossip with. I always walk away feeling drained and low when I’ve engaged in gossipy behavior. Find ways to support a friend going through a rough patch. Offer to watch her kids for a little while so she can take a mental health break. Call her and tell her you would like to bring over dinner. Drop off a plate of cookies or simply send a supportive text or email. Big gestures are terrific, but small, thoughtful gestures are just as meaningful. And, funny thing about a balanced approach to supporting others–you feel good, too.
Start your own group. Have a few friends who share a similar interest? Pull the group together periodically. Some moms love to get together to cook and swap freezer-friendly meals. Not only do they have a chance to hang out with friends, they come home with healthy meals for those nights when they just aren’t in the mood to cook. That’s what I call spiritual nourishment for you and your family.
What are you doing to bring more positive people into your life?
Photo courtesy: Danilo Rizzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
