I have been working for a while now (but inconsistently) on intentionally focusing on the little joys and blessings God graciously allows me to experience throughout each day. Today - most of today, at least - made for an easy day to practice being intentional about my outlook on the little points that make up daily life. Let me back up a little to explain myself....
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I am incredibly happy to say that a day ago last week I started my first day of work! My official title is "bookstore attendant," but in addition to working directly with books, I've been learning how to make various hot and cold coffees, teas, and other delicious beverages. Additionally, I have been learning the food menu items we serve, the layout of the property, customer service details, and so on. Part of my training was that I got to tag along on a tour of the Glen Eyrie castle. *ahem* I got to take a tour of a castle right next to where I work! That sort of thing just doesn't happen - at least not in America. How cool is that?? And how blessed am I?!?
More to the point, after the tour, I heard a couple complimenting our guide on the presentation and tour itself, and on her work. She thanked them, noting how encouraging it is to hear positive feedback. She had had extremely discouraging feedback just the day before, and it had made her question her abilities as a tour guide a little bit. Honestly, I was surprised to hear that she could receive anything but good reports, but the whole scenario reminded me how weighty and influential words can be. The book of James warns about the power of the tongue. James warns us of the tongue's propensity to wildness or untamableness (let's pretend that's a word) even while he encourages us to bring ourselves - untamable tongues included - under the control of the Holy Spirit.
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I have decided I should and must keep myself - my words, thoughts, and actions - in check both when I'm out and at home. Can I do this on my own? HAH! Certainly not! Alright, Maybe I could keep an intentionally positive outlook on life some easier days, like today. I just might do an ok job on rough days, too. Well...for a week or so.
No, I know that would be little more than an attempt to recondition my natural and habituated responses. I need complete change in my heart as well as my habits. Change on this level can only be accomplished in God's will, through His strength. I will still mess up and revert to bad habits when I shift my reliance to myself, but I have full confidence in Him.
So what am I saying? What is the point of all this? I promise, I'm getting to it.
One of my current college courses is on the relief of stress and tension, and although I don't agree with all the theories and methods I have to study, there are some valid points in the course. For example, it is now more widely acknowledged that the well-being of a person's soul or spirit is positively linked to the person's overall well-being. (Who knew, right?)
Another point that I had previously supposed but have now gotten to study is that positive thinking is directly linked to good mental health and lowered stress levels. Positive thinking can be seen in thinking "I've got this! I'm going to do well!" before heading into a potentially stressful situation. It can also be seen in actively choosing to focus your attention on the positive aspects of a situation rather than the negative. Of course, this is easier for those who are naturally optimistic and more challenging for pessimists. I personally consider myself a realist (I weigh the potential for both positive and negative and try to adjust according to whatever will logically follow), and as someone who wavers between the two extremes, I find it healthy and wise to have an intentional outlook.
The simplest way for me to nurture this intentional outlook is to ask myself what the highlights of my day are (today: conversations with family, cheery weather, visits to bookstores, etc.) and dwell on those things.
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Of course, I would like to note that the trying, troubling, and sad points of a day oughtn't be ignored for the sake of an exclusively positive perspective. Rather, these low points need to be handled with care and resolved if possible, as soon as possible.
