I have to be honest, I think I used to be a lot better at this.
After experiencing extreme stress for an extended period of time, on top of debilitating depression, I lost this ability for a little while. I felt helpless and hopeless.
Luckily, I’ve crawled out of my depression in the last 6 weeks and I’m feeling much better, but I’m still working on shifting my mindset.
My older sister has a magnetic personality. The kind of person you just gravitate toward because of her humor, her upbeat demeanor, and her ability to stay positive even during the worst of times.
Yesterday I asked her, “How do you stay so positive and always look on the bright side?”
Her response? One, was that it’s a choice. We can’t always control things that happen to us. The only thing we can control is how we respond to them.
She also said that she chooses to believe that for the most part, good things happen and that everything will work out. Even when things go wrong, it will all work out.
Tara even shared with me this meme that she and her son joke about. “It’s fine. Everything is fine!”
And, I know she’s right. What you focus on persists. When you’re looking for bad things to happen, they do. If you’re looking for good, you find more good. And I am going to focus on shifting my perspective and putting this into practice.
Ya know, I’ve always looked up to my sister. I’ve always wanted to be around her, hang out with her, and have fun with her. I value and respect her opinion and appreciate her support.
I’m actually tearing up as I write this, but with Dad being so sick, I’m actually really thankful to get life advice from her and that she’s been so supportive these last few months. She’s a great big sister.
Here’s to better, brighter days ahead.
Jaclyn Knight 