Find hope and positive messages to increase your health.
Close your eyes and picture a vast swirling dark cloudy funnel pulling you in – a vortex. It is windy and noisy and frightening. It is every dark thought, unkind word, mistreatment, slander, abuse, rejection, and hurt you’ve endured. It is sucking you in with a powerful force. Once you start to enter, there are messages everywhere pulling you in deeper. You’re not good enough. You don’t have what it takes. You messed up again. You’re unworthy. Each message pulls you in further, the sounds grow louder, the darkness deepens. You start to believe the messages around you. You start to take the form and attitude of the darkness.
Have you experienced this vortex? Of course you have, if you are human. It is trying to suck you in right now. Life and our world are full of negative forces.
Misery loves company. Too many people would love to help you sink deeper into the vortex. They’ll support your negative thoughts, help dash your confidence, or build themselves up by pushing you further down.
Then, there’s the ‘ME’ factor. The more you focus on yourself – your hurts, your worries, your needs, and your wants the further in you are sucked.
Outside the vortex
Now picture a light, warm place of contentment. You have no fears, no worries, no concerns. Nothing is bothering you. You have no stress. You have every assurance that you are immensely, unconditionally loved. Nothing is threatening you. All is well. How does this feel?
You are able to think clearly. Your creativity is at its maximum. Your problem-solving skills are sharp and effective.
Your blood pressure
is normal. You blood sugar is normal. You veins and arteries are relaxed. Your kidneys and heart are quietly doing their job with no added pressure from stress or worry. You are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. Can you imagine having complete health?
So, how do we find happiness and contentment? You won’t find those in the vortex. For those, you need to climb out and work to stay out.
Putting your energy in a different direction
If the stresses and hurts of the world, the negative stories and influences, and the self-centered tendencies of our society push you into the vortex, then what pulls you out?
Think outside of yourself. Consider the things that are good in your life, and practice gratitude for those things – large and small. Look, REALLY look, at the people around you. What are their struggles? I 100% guarantee each one has them. If they cut you off, drop the door in your face, look at you with a mean look, consider what might be happening in their life. Maybe their hurts are as bad or worse than yours.
- If you like for people to signal and leave room for merging, do that for others.
- If you like for people to hold the door and smile, do that for others.
- If you appreciate a kind word, provide one to someone else.
- If you like to be noticed, notice others.
There is real hope in a society that is ‘others-focused’ rather than self focused. I encourage you to practice more ‘others-focus’ this week. I’d love to hear what you experience!
You can reach me at michelle@retirewellness.com. Learn more about obtaining complete health in retirement and beyond at www.retirewellness.com.
For further application, check out my personal blog.
