Day-to-day choices with the greater good in mind have the potential to create significant change.
As a father of four, I’ve probably seen the Disney movie Bambi a hundred times. Yet one line in particular caught my attention as I was recently watching this animated classic — again — with my youngest child.
After chiming in on newborn Bambi’s walking abilities (or lack thereof), Thumper is prompted by his mother to repeat a lesson shared by his father earlier that morning: “If you can’t say something nice,” the somewhat reluctant bunny recites, “don’t say nothin’ at all.”
Considering the current state of our country and world, what’s being said by public servants and private citizens alike, and how it’s all being covered in the news, I found this to be timely advice. Our words and actions matter because they have the power to set the tone — to lift people up or to tear them down.
There’s been so much negativity over the past year, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to move forward. I’d like to see more of the lifting up, and a movement that brings us together — whatever our differences — to create a more positive culture.
With that in mind, I’m inviting every reader and Life Time member to join me in channeling the power of positivity throughout the month of June to see what happens. I believe an effort like this has the potential to change our communities, our country, and even the world — a little if we do a little, and much more if we do a lot. The more of us who get involved and stay engaged, the greater the impact and the reach will be.
Together, we can begin to transform into a healthier, more constructive society by choosing to focus on what’s good every day. It might be one thing, it might be several — the opportunities are endless. Here are just a few ideas that come to mind:
• When you wake up each morning, rather than jumping immediately to your to-do list, direct your thoughts to a few positive things that are happening in your life. Say thanks out loud. Research shows that being specific and authentic when it comes to gratitude can positively affect your physical and emotional health, and even bolster relationships.
• Keep an eye out for acts of kindness. When you catch anyone anywhere doing something for the greater good of others, acknowledge it by thanking that person. Better yet, perform your own acts of kindness.
• Rather than falling down the rabbit hole of negative news, seek out inspiring stories; choose to share and talk about those at gatherings instead of the other stuff.
• If you find yourself obsessing about something that’s dragging you down, aim to redirect your thoughts to find the good in the situation. Maybe that wrong left turn allowed you to discover a new park you want to visit with your family. Your uncle might drive you crazy, but he’s always the first to help when you’re in a jam. You get the idea.
• Like Thumper, commit to saying only positive things out loud and sharing posts or status updates that inspire those who see them.
• Tell others about your efforts to be more optimistic and ask them to partake as well. Spread the word!
Imagine our world changed by the end of June — that you might, for instance, be able to turn on cable news and see politicians crossing party lines and talking encouragingly with one another about how they can work together.
OK, I’ll admit that may be hoping for a little too much, but wouldn’t it be nice?!
In the meantime, I’m committing to practicing more positivity in my day-to-day life and I would love for you to do the same. Let’s see if our efforts can create a positive movement and contribute to a healthier, happier world. I believe they can.
Starting June 1, share your efforts with us using #thepowerofpositive and tagging @lifetimefitness and @experiencelifemag on whatever social platforms you use.
Especially around our children we must be positive. We must also show and teach them the healthy way of life to protect them so in the future which hopefully is long and happy, our children can teach their children to save our planet and enjoy every minute!
Thank you for this article. How great for this to be published at the same time I’m pushing this through my direct community at home and work. Including the research on gratitude is a key to helping many have an “ah-ha” moment. We can all accomplish more together from a place of postivity and gratitude. Life is short everyone…..so have a spectacular day.
Mr. Akradi I am grateful for your tenacious heart and mindful work through the years to write and uplift those you lead. Here is one of my stories to turn to when in tough times.
Wooden Bowls
Author Unknown
A frail old man lived with his son, his daughter-in-law, and his four-year-old grandson. His eyes were blurry, his hands trembled, and his step faltered.
The family would eat together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon, drooping to the floor. When he grasped his glass of milk, it often spilled clumsily at the tablecloth.
With this happening almost every night, the son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
“We must do something about grandfather,” said the son.
“I’ve had enough of his milk spilling, noisy eating and food on the floor,” the daughter-in-law agreed.
So the couple set a small table at the corner.
There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed their dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in wooden bowls. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening, before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly: “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy replied, “Oh, I’m making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
These words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears streamed down their cheeks. Though no words were spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening, the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days, grandfather ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk was spilled or the table cloth was soiled.
Not a new idea, but one with tremendous merit. Being involved with Animal Rights you see so many bad things. It has become a bit much for even me. I have been searching out more of the positive animal stories to post lately. I stopped off at a small grocery store yesterday afternoon. It was raining and all of the shopping carts were in the parking lot. I shoved together three carts while holding my umbrella and shopping bags. I pushed them up to the store. Nobody cared what I did; it was not for praise. If you are sensitive you can feel the ripples of kindness when somebody does something like this for you. You can perpetuate this effect by passing it forward whenever you have the chance. Ever so slowly humanity is awakening; look for your opportunities to make the world a better place for us all.