If you're like most people, every day you're subjected to so much bad news, violence, and turmoil that it can sometimes feel hopeless.
The problem isn't that the world is going to hell in a hand basket. In fact, I suspect the "good news/bad news" ratio has been more or less consistent over human history. But slathered 24/7 with toxic news and entertainment as we are, it's no wonder the world can seem a little bleak.
So what is the problem? Focus. Even if the ratio hasn't changed, we have an unprecedented opportunity to focus on the bad news.
Recently, as I grappled with the negative effects of that toxic slathering in my own perspective, I started to ponder that question of focus. How do we consciously counter that negativity when it is so woven into the fabric of what we're exposed to every day.
As so often happens, the answer boiled down to, "Ask questions." Let's face it, the news doesn't - and probably never will - deliver much information that makes you feel good about life. So if you want to build that positive perspective, it's up to you to do the work.
Here are several questions you can ask to help you focus on the positive in your life and in the world.
- What do I love about my life today?
- What do I love about myself today?
- What do I love about the world today?
- What inspires me today?
- Who inspires me today?
- Who do I love today?
- What gives me hope today?
- What do I care about today?
- Who do I care about today?
- What good do I see people doing today?
- What good can I do today?
- What positive trend do I see unfolding in the world?
- What has improved recently?
- What do I appreciate today?
- Who do I appreciate today?
Make a habit of asking one or more of those questions every day. How? The ways of approaching it are nearly endless, but here are some ideas off the top of my head:
- Incorporate it into a morning ritual.
- Journal on them.
- Write them down, put them in a jar, and draw one first thing in the morning to contemplate (and notice!) as you go through your day.
- Make a date with a friend once a week to share your answers.
- Make it a daily discussion with your family (at mealtime, for example).
- Print the list out and put it in your wallet, either together with your cash or wrapped around your credit card so you have to look at it frequently.
- Pick a question to ponder on your commute.
- Get a group of friends together for a meal and focus the discussion on answering the questions. Brainstorm more questions and add them to the list.
The questions I have listed here and ways of engaging them are just a sample. I would love to hear your thoughts on it. What other questions could you ask? What other ideas do you have for how to use the questions?
-- Time for a career change? Launch it with... -- by Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst
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