Walking is great for clearing the mind. To burn off
frustration and negative thinking this morning, I put my walking shoes on and hit the pavement. But negative thinking was already on such a spin cycle, that no matter what I tried, it was hard to stop it. I resorted to mantras and prayers repeated over and over, because it’s hard for the negative tapes to play at the same time.
Suddenly I became more aware of my surroundings and appreciated the chilly, 50 degree December day. Winter is really here, I thought.
A squirrel nest caught my eye, and I found myself puzzled because I hadn’t seen very many so far this year. To confirm, I started to look around and saw there were nests everywhere, just like usual. Most of the leaves are gone now so the nests are very visible, often with multiple nests in one tree.
I
had been too busy rehearsing my problems and reciting my prayers to notice them, or much else. I smiled to think of chubby squirrels all cozied up in the nest they worked so hard to build. I imagined them huddled together, sharing body warmth, and feasting on the nuts and acorns they had gathered for this season. My mood shifted and my peace returned. I became willing to let the rest go.
We see what we are looking to see. When I am looking for negativity, I find plenty of it to stew about. When I look for things to make me smile, I find that too. The choice is always mine.
I love the quote I sent to you last week by Michael Altshuler, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is, you’re the pilot.” We are the pilots of our own minds. That makes us the pilots of our days, and therefore our lives.
Do you want to have a good day? Great, it’s yours.
Do you
want to keep stewing over criticisms, judgments and comparisons? Hurt feelings, irritations and resentments? Challenging situations with unclear timelines? That day is yours, too.
No matter what kind of morning (or day)
you’ve had so far, it can change right now for the better, if that’s what you want. But you have to do more than want it. You have to actively turn your focus, your thoughts, your words, and your actions toward what is good.
Ask your body to participate in positivity. You might start with a walk, or lift your arms over your head in a receiving posture and loudly declare:
From this moment forward, I receive all the gifts this day has for me. I refuse to be brought down by my thoughts about my circumstances. I have the power to choose my thoughts and right now, I
choose joy. I choose peace. I choose a good story.
If we’re going to build stuff up and rehash it all day, or all week, let’s make it a good story.
Think about squirrels feasting on nuts in their warm, leaf-laden nests if that helps lift your spirits, but however you do it, take control of your mind and take control of your day.
And don’t keep your elevated mindset to yourself. Who can you bless with positivity? What about the very person or persons you are frustrated with? Humility is one of the most courageous postures we can adopt. They probably need a boost, too.
Pride and fear spread lies and separate us. Reject the lies and move forward in harmony with others today, knowing this IS a good day, your basic needs ARE provided for, and things ARE working for your good.
If you have a tough situation and you’re waiting for things to turn your way, start looking for signs of goodness in other areas of your world to remind you that yours is coming too. Celebrate the good happening to people around you to get yourself in the groove of how good that will feel when it's your
turn.
Choosing an expectant, grateful posture, ready to receive even more abundance, is an excellent response when stinking-thinking is trying to steal your peace of mind.
For today, take a winter walk around the block. Look for natural wonders to give you proof of the gifts that are waiting for you on every corner of your life.
Like these blooms promising a bountiful spring, yours is also in the works, even if there is no specific evidence yet, or it’s too small to know what it will look like. Enjoy your day and your gifts.
