the second half

How can one overcome adversity?

Hello, friends!

Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness….”  So began “A Tale of Two Cities” in 1859.  You may remember that Dickens wrote this as an observation of a world in change.  A century and a half later the same philosophy might apply.  Many people across our great land have lost their savings, their jobs and their homes.  Hope seems lost and the fallout from the last several years has been staggering.  How can one stay positive in these tough times?

Maintaining Focus

Whether it is the economy, family issues or a job that just doesn’t seem to be as rewarding as it once was, anyone can face the possibility of being negative.  Positive affirmation, posters and books are helpful, but alone can’t solve one’s problems.  Some circumstances may be outside a person’s control, but caution should be taken as to not play the victim.  Self-pity won’t be helpful and will generally lead to increased levels of stress.  Stress can transform into depression, which is a serious medical illness involving the brain.  Some early warning signs of depression are chronic fatigue, muscular tension, lack of interest or motivation, dizziness, headaches or upset stomach.  For additional information regarding depression, read this or consult a physician.  Whenever a person is going through any life challenge, importance should be placed on monitoring one’s diet and getting the right amount of sleep.  How much is enough?  Look here to optimize your sleep.  Another big drain to a person’s energy is negativity.  Being surrounded by individuals that exhibit a positive outlook will help to fuel one’s mental fortitude.

Thinking All the Way Through

A person’s attributes include mental and physical energy.  This powerful life force can work against one if not nurtured.  The three pound organ resting in one’s cranium needs plenty of exercise.  Stagnancy occurs from watching too much television or other such sedentary behavior.  First, concentration becomes negatively affected, followed by attention and memory problems.  Reading a good book or playing a stimulating game of chess will assist in keeping one’s mind active.  Word or memory puzzles, such as those available on Lumosity will stimulate brain fibers and help one stay sharp.  Exercising the body will refresh muscles and joints and increase levels of serotonin.  Serotonin creates a “natural high” that will help one’s mood and improve a person’s outlook regardless of life’s challenges.  Finally, the soul needs exercise.  Notwithstanding the choice of religion or personal beliefs, time should be taken to be refreshed emotionally.  Meditation is a highly effective method to decrease negative thoughts and will allow for mental relaxation.

Someone said long ago that life was full of cycles.  A person faces many good days and some, not so much.  Even when it appears that things are going well, adversity may just be around the next turn.  How one decides to handle those challenges will sometimes determine the outcome.  Or, as my wonderful grandfather used to say, “Shake it off.”  “There are people in the world that have it much worse than you!”

And with that, friends, I’ll leave you with this;

You’ve got to SEE positive to BE positive!

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