My Thought of the Day

I've only told two people so far about my new found discovery of my life's dream, to become a successful advice columnist which will ultimately lead into writing a book, working on the radio and maybe even someday having my own talk show. This is my dream, I see no reason why I cannot have this dream.

The first person I mentioned it to, a young coworker/fellow student of mine, was so warm and receptive. She immediately smiled and said such wonderful things. "I can see you doing that. You have the voice, the looks, the personality, the intelligence" Her words were so kind. She gave me the confidence I needed to really persevere through any obstacle.

The second person was my older, motherly-figure, supervisor at work. She smiled warmly, allowed me to finish my gushing over this dream, then said with all sincerity, "But you have to watch out for the nut-jobs that will sue you because they take your advice too seriously". I know she only meant well by saying that, but it got me thinking...

Were my coworker's words more kind because she is so young and (dare I say it) naive ? Is it that she hasn't experienced the "real world" yet enough to become jaded and inject the inevitable negativity ? Was my supervisor being realistic and trying to, as any mother would, protect me from the possible downfall of my dream ? Or is something more sinister lurking here ?

A young woman, just getting ready to venture out into the "real world", with all of life's hopes and dreams just waiting to be explored. Compare that to a much older woman, a mother, grandmother, experienced, and well worn from years of many ups and downs.

As life drags us down through painful losses, bad jobs, broken hearts, and broken dreams, do we become a race of Debbie Downers ?? Is this a cultural thing ?

Here is what I have vowed to myself, Be More Positive !! Now, there are times when I will accept that simply being more positive will be a struggle for me (ahem, driving in rush hour traffic). However, on the whole I am really trying to live this motto. If negativity begets more negativity then, as the law of attraction dictates, positivity begets more positivity. This a school of thought I was introduced to a few years ago in a little book some of you may be familiar with, called "The Secret". That book introduced to me a whole new way of looking at the world and it has been my goal ever since to create better things in my life through simply being a more positive individual. Unfortunately, I do allow those Debbie Downer moments to catch me off guard and derail me from my greater good. This is simply unacceptable !!

I challenge all of you to "be the change you want to see in the world". For the next few days, check yourself before you speak. Instead of saying the negative, change it to the positive.

i.e.

"I hate this traffic" -> "I am so glad I will be out of this traffic soon"

"I cannot afford it" -> "I will eventually be able to buy it"

"You drive me crazy" -> "You remind how important it is to be patient"

I know, this seems so simple. And yet I promise you, this will be one of the biggest challenges in your life. Changing a deeply ingrained habit is tough. I speak from experience. But I also promise you that when you do it successfully, you will see good things come your way. I have experienced this first hand.

Good Luck with your challenge. I would love to hear feedback from those of you who accept this challenge.

"Let the force be with you" :)